September YOM goes to Larry Hall and Louis Aquino at 529 Euclid. They have a large number of plantings of various varieties. Some native, some not, some fruit bearers, some flowering - you get the picture. Larry and Louis are generous neighbors both in their gardening advice and sharing plants/cuttings. One can usually find "babies" in pots along their sidewalk which they put out for others to take and enjoy.
Larry purchased this home in 2006, when it was clad in turquoise and yellow aluminum siding, and fenced in chain link. Photos from the 1920's, show the bungalow painted the original white with no trees, bushes, garage or sidewalk. It was designed by the same architect as 429 Euclid, which it resembles from the street.
Louis is the "green thumb" behind all of the plants that have been added. Crepe myrtles, Jerusalem Thorn and Hibiscus trees line the Northwood sidewalk. There were grand oak trees in those locations in 2006. There was a drainage ditch along Northwood in 2006, which was changed when major renovations to the storm drainage systems were completed several years ago.
Except for the large red bougainvillea on the east side of the front yard, Louis has selected and grown most of the potpourri of plants we have. Planted on the southwest side of the taller fence, is called the "Flaming Glory", or "Orange Pagoda Flower" . Other plants that have been added include raspberry, white and purple bougainvillea, Esperanza, red and green Coleus, Lantana, "Fire-cracker" bush, Hyacinths, Cuban Gold, Creeping Fig, various ferns and tulips, and miscellaneous bits of color here and there. Larry and Louis didn't start out with any kind of plan - they just bought what they liked as they went along. Lots of potted plants and trees are in the backyard including fruit trees and an avocado tree.
More plantings are coming to accent their new front yard fence. Louis keeps a large bowl out front for neighborhood dogs as well as lots of bird seed.