YOTM

Yard of the Month - 1101 Highland /  by Michael Graves

Jane Nelson and Deb Richardson have lived at 1101 Highland Street since May 1991. They enjoy sitting on their front porch when the weather is good so they can see their front porch and greet neighbors who pass by.

Their garden includes sage, Burford hollies, planted soon after they moved in in 1991, hawthorns, foxtail ferns, dwarf azalea, esperanza, an orange tree that has never given us oranges, amaryllis, liriope edges the beds, and wedelia, which keeps their front easement full of yellow flowers when it's in bloom.

The Amarillys and Oaks on their property hold a special place in Jane and Deb's hearts.

"Our amaryllis plants are from bulbs obtained from Deb's late mother's yard in the early 90s. The amaryllis bloom in the spring each year and have remained prolific in bulb production, so we have been able to pass along bulbs to friends and family."

The Oaks date back a century to the original home's owner. "One great feature of our yard is the stately oaks on the east side along Norhill. We had the good fortune to meet the granddaughter of our home's original owner, who planted the oaks back 100 years ago!"

With the help of a gardener, their yard provides continuous enjoyment for the couple.

"We see bees, butterflies, lizards and squirrels. The squirrels typically ensure that we never have red berries on our hollies. We love ixoras and have tried repeatedly to plant them. Unfortunately, they proved too tropical for our care and were repeatedly killed by freezes. Currently, we have chosen hardier plants, such as the hawthorns and wedelia, as recommended by our gardener."

Deb continued, "We're not at all proficient! Jane's late mother was a Montgomery County Master Gardener who advised us on plant selection and care. Now, however, primary credit goes to our gardener, Hector Rodriguez, who visits every other week."

Deb likes being outdoors and puttering in the yard/garden. Jane enjoys looking at the garden. Deb spends a few hours weekly keeping the yard looking neat. It is maintained primarily by Hector.

"Our current inspiration is a mix of choosing beauty and hardiness! Our favorite plants are the amaryllis because they connect to our loved late mother/ mother-in-law and our past."

Deb concludes by saying, "Being chosen as YOM is a lovely recognition! We're pleased to have been asked!"

Yard of the Month - 927 Merrill Street /  by Michael Graves

Lloyd and Ann Jones have lived in their craftsman bungalow home at 927 Merrill since 1983 and around 2000, respectively. Working together, they've seamlessly combined the beauty of their garden to create a harmonious relationship between the outside world and their home.

The vibrant colors of the flowers and the soothing greenery create a picturesque setting, though it's unclear who came up with the home's paint combination. According to Lloyd,

"I would say we both did, but Ann says it was her idea, lol."

When asked what his favorite part of their yard is, Lloyd continued,

"I would say the backyard, but we do spend a lot of our time in the front yard. Ann and I each have our own beds. If you're facing our house, mine is on the right and hers on the left. Ann's bed has Echinacea, Zinnias, Hummingbird Bush, and several different varieties of Salvia - including Hot Lips Salvia, Day Lillies,  Fire Cracker Plant, some Sage, and Purple Verbena. In my bed, I have several varieties of native grass, including Muhly Grass, Zinnias, Henry Duelburg, Salvias, and some Homestead Verbena."

Their garden, filled with native plants from various Heights area nurseries and garden centers, including Joshua's Native Plants and Garden Antiques, Buchanan's Native Plants, Home Depot, Houston Garden Center, and Another Place in Time, is a haven for several flying, crawling, and buzzing beneficial insects.

"For sure, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. We also have a nest of Mockingbirds, and we've seen Blue Jays, Cardinals, and we've had some Cooper Hawks in our bird bath as well."

Lloyd has been gardening since as far back as he can recall,

"You may not be old enough to remember, but Frito Lay used to put Zinna seed packets in their products, so that was the first thing I ever grew."

In addition to the plants purchased from nurseries, some plants handed down from family and friends are found in the beautiful landscape.

"We have some Night Blooming Cereus we got from Ann's mom, another type of Cereus I got from a swim buddy, some Begonias, and we each have our own Staghorn ferns that we combined and cultivated. It has grown into a giant; it's now about five feet across."

A gardener's work is never finished, as gardens constantly grow and change with the seasons and weather. Lloyd and Ann have different approaches to keeping their gardens beautiful. They both find joy in the process but also face challenges like keeping up with weeds and adapting to Houston's weather conditions.

Lloyd says, "The least favorite [part of gardening] would be the constant battle with the weeds. I battle the yard about once a week. I think Ann's Zen time is sweeping up the flowers and leaves from the Crepe Myrtle tree daily, lol."

While Ann's work in the garden keeps Houston's weather in mind. "With the heat, I get out there very early in the morning and stay as long as possible, then I go out around 8 in the evening and periodically throughout the day. If it wasn't for the heat, I would be out there all the time!"

In terms of their garden favorites, it depends on the season and the creatures attracted by the beautiful blooms,

Lloyd, "That's a tough one. The Muhly Grass has some bloom spikes in the fall, and that's nice. All of our hummingbird bushes are also amazing in the fall, attracting the hummingbirds."

Ann adds, "I like all types of salvias and cone flowers—all the ones that attract pollinators and do a great job of standing up to our heat as well," and leaves would-be gardeners intimidated with some advice, "If you do a little every day, a beautiful yard is very easy to maintain and grow!"

Yard of the Month: 922 Bayland /  by Lori Bigler

July Yard of the Month goes to 922 Bayland!  Marcy and Scott Pryor have so much WOW!! going on in their yard. Woodland Heights residents for seven years, they have taken advantage of almost every inch of the front to plant beautiful vignettes, beds and gorgeous planters. Flowering sky vines are being trained up steel cables around the porch and a new arbor is going in at the front sidewalk. Full disclosure: that adorable puppy is mine who had to put up with me taking photos for a few minutes!

Tip O’ The Trowel to Marcy and Scott!  Looks fantastic!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 604 Omar /  by Lori Bigler

Yard of the Month - Tip of the trowel for June goes to 604 Omar. This yard has recently gone through a transformation adding zoysia grass, beautiful potted arrangements and bright new flower beds. Homeowners, Lisa, Matt and their precious baby girl, Eloise now have a gorgeous landscape to look at while they are enjoying their front porch visiting with neighbors or playing in the front yard! Looks fantastic guys!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Friends of Woodland Park Update /  by Lori Bigler

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Friends of Woodland Park would like to thank everyone who helped to clean up our park in November and December.  We had over 100 people participate, including local Heights Girl Scout troops 122195, 122229, 122202, 122036, 122333, 122007, 122251, 122285, 122286, 125076 and 25001.   Troop 122286 had the largest group with a total of 26 participants and won a cupcake party from Friends of Woodland Park.  We were also grateful to have a group from the Friends of PJ Library come and do a family cleanup in January.  We welcome any groups who are interested in helping us keep the park clean and maintained.  If you have any additional photos, please send to photos@friendsofwoodlandpark.org so that we can recognize you and your team. 

Upcoming events include:

March 20, 2021:  Monthly Bird Survey - Join a representative from the local Audubon Society on a bird walk. Meet at the community center (212 Parkview) at 7:30am. Long pants and closed toe shoes are advisable; please bring binoculars if you have them. No experience required. 

March 25-28, 2021: Trash Bash -Trash Bash® is the largest, single-day waterway cleanup in Texas, and we are excited to include Little White Oak Bayou in Woodland Park. Trash Bash® 2021 has been reimagined, but we hope you will join us to "Clean It Like You Mean It!"®. The event will include educational videos, small personal cleanups, and more. Go to http://www.trashbash.org/2021-trash-bashreg.html to learn more and sign up!

We are also interested in hearing from our younger birders and would love to post any bird or wildlife photos taken by any park visitors 18 and under.  We are happy to help identify any plants or wildlife you see in the park, and also recommend the iNaturalist app. Please send pictures to photos@friendsofwoodlandpark.org with your name and any questions you have.        

Did you know that Moody Park and Woodland Park are connected by trail?  On February 1st, the FWP board hiked from Woodland Park to Moody Park along banks of Little White Oak Bayou (LOWB), and then back through Hollywood Cemetery. This hike took several hours at a leisurely pace, with time for discussing some of the landmarks and concerns about the park.  We also observed multitudes of birds, including hawks, cormorants, woodpeckers, egrets, herons, and kingfishers to name a few.  FWP continues to lobby for a maintained trail connection between Woodland Park and Moody Park.  Connectivity and clean-up between our public green spaces is key to preservation, community feel, and public access.  A map of our journey is posted now on our Facebook page.

 If you have not checked out our kiosk in the park lately, you will find a list of the most recent birds spotted at the park, as well as a little history of the park.  You can also find the most recent bird list on the ebird app at https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1995953

Looking to stay up to date on Woodland Park?  Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfWoodlandPark/  or visit our website: https://www.friendsofwoodlandpark.org/  

If you have concerns about the park, please raise them on the City of Houston 311 or you can contact social@friendsofwoodlandpark.org .  The community center is managed by Julia Soto of the Houston Parks Department, and you can contact her at julia.soto@houstontx.gov .

-Friends of Woodland Park Board

Yard of the Month: 605 Omar /  by Lori Bigler

What a month this is for yard of the month! While most of the neighborhood hovers in a monotony of various shades of brown, the Guyres at 605 Omar were able to have color survive through snowmegeddon! A couple of these photos are pre-Uri but the cheerful pansies along the front fence made it through. The Guyres will have the rest of the yard whipped back into shape quickly as you can find the entire family doing yard work most weekends. The color on the porch in those handsome chairs is the adorable Guyre family. They are long-term residents of Woodland Heights and have been active in the neighborhood, especially with the Learn Local program at Hogg and community service.

-Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 501 Teetshorn /  by Lori Bigler

January Yard of the Month goes to 501 Teetshorn on the corner of Helen. The current homeowner purchased the property in 2017. A large southern magnolia anchors the front yard on the western edge. Seasonal beds line the front of the home and add a welcoming entrance to the home. Hog fencing surrounds the property dividing the front and side yard which has a cocktail pool plus more lush landscaping. Citrus and vegetable plants are mixed in the back area and along the driveway.

Tip of the trowel to this friendly neighbor and her two Irish Wolfhounds!

-Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 530 Omar /  by Lori Bigler

December yard of the month goes to 530 Omar!

Amy Morris and Kenny Kurtzman have a lovely, traditional holiday look working in their beautifully landscaped yard. This beautiful home is white, which makes the garlands and wreaths decorating it pop! At night, the house and grounds are lit up in warm white. In the winter, the gardens are layers of various greens punctuated by white roses and occasional color. Olive trees flank their western edge, shading the stone walkway that wraps around their expansive front porch, with roses on the fence wrapping the perimeter of the yardspace. A variety of plantings colorize and accessorize the yard including azaleas, foxtail ferns, fig ivy, gardenias, honeymoon roses, and magnolias. Congratulations!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 815 Merrill /  by Lori Bigler

November yard of the month goes to the fall festival that’s happening at 815 Merrill.  Joanna Queen and her husband, Daniel Dylla moved in 2 years ago with their two girls after doing a renovation to the original bungalow. The front porch is so inviting and is a welcome extra room during this social distancing time. It’s got swings and comfy furniture along with attractive details that encourage you to sit outside and relax, visit or have a cocktail.

Front beds are planted with sandy leaf fig ivy, walking irises, giant liriope and lysmachia. The birch tree is about 30 years old and they planted the maple when we moved in.   Joanna has the Front porch beautifully decorated with pumpkins and chrysanthemums right now.  A fun flock of decorative bats seem lifelike on the walls and in fact flitter off sometimes!

Tip of the trowel to this family for creating such a beautiful yard and outdoor space! Congratulations!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: Parkette at Houston Ave & White Oak /  by Lori Bigler

October's Yard of the Month is an intersection which has undergone HUGE improvements in safety and appearance. The intersection of Houston Ave. and White Oak Drive now has a beautiful area thanks the the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ No. 5. Beautification of the area included new pavement, traffic signals, new bike and pedestrian features as well as landscaping all while providing better crossing conditions and connectivity to the bike trails and park. Even our old clock was refurbished and is a wonderful accent to this area. Greater Northside Management District is providing maintenance of the area. Many thanks to these groups for taking an interest in the southeast corner of our neighborhood and making it a beautiful space.

Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 529 Euclid /  by Lori Bigler

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.

 

 

Yard-of-the-Month: 2803 Julian /  by Lori Bigler

Brandon and Kelly Jacob bought the house next door in 1996 and became the third owners of a darling bungalow on a large corner lot.  A  second story addition in  2016 greatly expanded the home and oriented views to the side yard with designs to build a swimming pool.  Instead of a pool, they opted to create several outdoor areas: one with a fireplace, a large pot garden flanked by a fountain,  a separate seating area with swings and a fire pit, and the Piece de Resistance is their Treedeck Oasis with its bright yellow chairs!   
 
While the front yard is planted with many heat tolerants like salvia, Little John bottlebrushes, loropetalum, creeping yews, rosemary and more, their attractive stoop is flanked by pots of succulents which makes it all very inviting.
 
With the heat and social distancing in place, Kelly and Brandon have managed to have a ideal place outside to meet friends, admire the beauty they have created and enjoy the outdoors.  Kudos and a Tip of the Trowel to you!

- Allison Hartzell, Dir of Beautification

Yard-of-the-Month: 3405 Northwood /  by Lori Bigler

As Beautification Director, I have been fortunate to meet many lovely people in our neighborhood these last two years. It's been exciting to knock on doors, never knowing who I might meet, and always having unexpected and delightful conversations. Each was a little different, but one theme was a constant: our neighbors' gardens give them peace and joy. Our neighbors love their piece of earth and love learning how to tend it so it gives back. It's been fulfilling to tell these neighbors that their care for their gardens brings peace and joy to their community too. We are all so lucky to call them neighbors.

This month is no different! My final pick for Yard of the Month before our next Director takes the seat goes to Caroline and Roy Johnston at 3405 Northwood. Their yard was originally nominated by an admiring neighbor a couple months ago and I'm so happy it was! It's a small space that I had (regrettably) overlooked, but then the more I saw, the more I loved it!

Talking with Roy about all he did to bring it to life was inspiring. The space looks challenging: part along a hot afternoon driveway, part in shade along the front, and area measured in small feet and inches. But as we are out for our walks or bike rides with our families lately, stop and take your time here. It's a sweet spot in the Woodland Heights. Their yard shows us you don't need a lot of space to do beautiful things!

In these times when it's difficult to meet new people, I've decided to leave Roy's write up in his own voice - it's just right and personal, and easier to feel more connected with these kind neighbors. Thank you Roy and Caroline for sharing your yard with our neighborhood!

Stephanie Riceman, Dir of Beautification

We bought our home in 2014 and started on the yard in February 2015. We began by removing the poor existing soil (lots of construction sand), using river rock to separate the beds from the house siding, and building a new stone wall outside to replace the wooden one which had collapsed. I also installed drainage and sprinklers. I'm proud to say that I did all the work myself with help too from Caroline and our kids. My first time building a stone wall or laying out a garden!

We had help from Buchanan's to draw up a landscape plan and advise on plant selection. We wanted southern staples in the landscaping, color throughout the year, and different shades of green. We also did the planting and mulching ourselves. Our layout has changed quite a bit since then as we've moved plants where they have struggled and looked to create more interest with varying heights and size.

Our recent projects have been installing decomposed granite & rock border in our courtyard garden and planting a vegetable and herb garden. I am also working to replace the pet mesh on the fence with lower pet bars. I think that will really complete the texture and visual interest by letting the plants flow more naturally through the fence. A fun current experiment is letting one area fallow and seeing what naturally pops up - I'm calling this our wildflower garden experiment!

As I've learned more about gardening, I am increasingly drawn to low maintenance (and cost), with a focus on hardy (frost and heat tolerant) perennials. We are also switching to more indigenous staples and have introduced some butterfly and bird friendly plants. I find learning about what works in a specific spot to be an enjoyable part of the process. I've also enjoyed learning how to build the other structural pieces of the garden (a shed, the raised beds, the borders, the irrigation, and the vegetable boxes).

Some of my personal highlights are the multiple monarchs drawn to our three milkweed plants (thank you Travis!), the many lizards hiding everywhere, our shrimp-plants and jasmine on the fence (the color and aroma), and the thriving hybrid-tea roses which we added two years ago. I have an ivy vine which was a houseplant gift from my mom and cuttings from it have grown in each home we've lived. We are also looking forward to growing tomatoes, basil, and jalapeno from the St. Mark's garden this year.

I personally love the beauty and peace which the garden brings, how we enjoy it throughout the year, and how the kids find many creatures - even in this little space. It also connects me back to my family (and my wife's family) and the gardens they have nurtured over the years.

Here are some of the plants we have:

Vegetable garden:

  • Mint

  • Tomatoes

  • Jalapeño

  • Basil

  • Chives

  • Star anise

  • Parsley

  • Thyme

  • Gladiola (for cut flowers and color)

Front stone bed:

  • White Knight

  • Milkweed

  • Ligularia

  • Fire cracker fern

  • Camellia (shi shi)

  • Variegated dianella

  • Wood violets (ground cover)

  • Ajuga (caitlin's giant - ground cover)

Side beds by front door:

  • Gardenia

  • Hybrid tea roses

  • Mexican sedum

  • Camellia (japonica kramer supreme)

  • Azalaea - George Tabor

  • Abelea - Kaleidoscope

Inside fence:

  • Giant iris

  • Star Jasmine

  • Giant Liriope

  • English ivy in the hanging basket

Thanks again for the honor and the joy of sharing our project with you!

- Roy

Yard-of-the-Month: 3014 Norhill /  by Lori Bigler

After 18 years at 3014 Norhill St, Tiffany Tyler and Charles Kuffner have found that balance in their yard: the soil is rich, the birds and pollinators are happy, the squirrels play, the children grow, it is both relaxing and fun for their family to tuck into the garden work, and it is beautiful!

The yard has taken shape through some trial and error, and some help from friends and neighbors. Stories abound in their yard with neighborhood and historical ties. The monkey grass forming a border along the north beds have been there since they moved in. The Texas maiden hair fern was passed along to them from a friend on Bayland when they moved in as well. The soil itself is enriched from a compost begun before they moved there, wheelbarrowed from three blocks away. The red firespike salvaged from a home in Norhill before it was torn down. And of course the bluebonnets, tended and prodded and now finally blooming at the southwest corner. My favorite is the fig ivy covering the low brick border along Woodland, which also celebrates 18 years with them here.

There is a lot of color to see as we come into blooming season: day lilies, pentas, many varieties of coleus (another of my favorites), purple salvia, columbine, ice plant, Texas gold lantana, purple sage, the native butterfly-attracting purple porterweed, edible nasturtium, foxtail fern, pineapple hamelia, Dutchman's pipe, echinaceas, native milkweeds, tiny volunteer violas, and a yellow globe ground cover. Adorning the porch and deck are a variety of zinnias and geraniums. 

Over all of it towers their mature water oak to the west, giving them relief from the heat of the afternoon sun, and drummond red maples to the north. In spite of the shade, their satsuma and Meyer lemon trees are blooming with promise this year!

What's the secret to having such a nice yard? The Houston Museum of Natural Science plant sale gives her a lot to work with, as well as local favorite Buchanan's. And Tiffany has been inspired by the community of organic farmers and veggie enthusiasts at Central City Co-op, where she has been involved for many years in its development. The soil was in poor condition when they moved in, so regular household compost has helped nurture and feed the roots. Tiffany wants to feel relaxed and have fun gardening so that is rewarding in itself, and she doesn't worry over the weeds much - if pollinators enjoy them then they have a place at this corner too. Not to be overlooked is the abundance of yard art tucked all about the gardens, most of it gifted to her, or acquired from local artists or on trips, all quietly at home here.

Yard of the Month: 1116 Euclid St /  by Lori Bigler

Jeanette and Dannie Davis have been making things bloom in the Heights nearly all their lives. Jeanette grew up only a couple blocks away, and they are the second family in their home at 1116 Euclid. When they moved to their forever-home in 1976, they were the young ones on the block; now they nurture the neighborhood through all the changes.

Their massive water oak is center stage, and was planted the year their first child was born, more than 35 years ago. Seeing it now, their home looks tiny under its mighty limbs. Their second child was, and is, all about the out-of-doors, and was taking care of their yard and neighbors' yards beginning in elementary school. By high school it was a full job. Today he still keeps his parents' yard beautiful, plus many more in the Heights, and throughout Houston, with White Oak Groundskeeping. He takes after his dad who is always out tidying up neighbors' yards and clearing storm drains. 

Edging into spring, the Davises' yard is alive with hydrangeas, Boston ferns, begonias, cyclamens, and ivy.

Their seasonal yard changes with every holiday, so while these pictures reflect February love, by the time this prints it will surely be lucky green.

Yard-of-the-Month: 823 Ridge /  by Lori Bigler

The corner at Julian and Ridge has been a mystery to me for several years, so I was happy to meet Gene and Chris Feronti, who have raised their family adjacent to the corner since 1984, and began this 'Orphan Garden' ten years ago!

It started as a blank slate and a couple donations of yucca and agave cacti when a friend and neighbor's succulent sprouted seedlings. The trans-plantings took off! They managed a variety of random donations from neighbors and written-off dumpster or discount finds of succulents, grasses, and flowering beauties into an inspired design. Their yuccas are peacefully at home here, standing tall, spines shimmering in a breeze, with a symmetry that snaps back when the air is calm again. The heat and periodic droughts agree with them as the garden thrives without irrigation!

Their Orphan Garden includes:

  • yucca

  • agave

  • prickly pear

  • sago palm

  • asparagus fern

  • firecracker bush

  • Mexican petunia

  • daylilies

  • nandina

  • mother of thousands

  • native Texas grasses

  • and a rich jasmine and monkey grass ground cover

A variety of trees and bushes too:

  • camphor

  • pecan

  • oleander

  • crepe myrtle

Stroll by this peaceful bend at Ridge and Julian and let the calm set in. Thank you to the Ferontis for sharing their yard with us!

- Stephanie Riceman, Dir of Beautification

Yard-of-the-Month: The Garden At Travis Elementary School /  by Lori Bigler

While there are many lovely flower-filled front beds to choose from in our neighborhood this month, I am overwhelmed with the variety and range on offer in our own elementary school garden! Many of us shuttle along the garden path five mornings a week to see our kids to school, but it's worth taking a few extra moments to absorb the nature there.

The Travis Garden has been under the guidance of neighbor, teacher, grandmother, and Army veteran Christina West for nearly two years, with the help of volunteers, teachers, and students. When I asked her if we could choose the Travis Garden for May Yard of the Month, she was delighted!

Ms. West says every morning she loves riding her bike to Travis Elementary School along the leafy streets past her neighbors' flowering gardens.  The Travis gardens are at the east end of Redan and have a fence covered with muscadine grapes and bordered by fig trees.  Inside, there are 30 beds, one for each class at the school and five others that are filled with wildflowers and small trees.

In the fall, as soon as it is cool enough, students plant vegetables and herbs, and continue planting throughout the winter months.  They plant broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, chard, beets, lettuce, arugula, bok choi, cilantro, onions, potatoes, chives, dill, and carrots.  Many are planted from seed and students watch them grow week by week until they can harvest and eat them. Their favorite eating experiences are: kale smoothies, broccoli pasta, blanched broccoli, salads of cabbage, carrot and lettuce, herb butter with chives/rosemary/oregano, mashed potatoes, chard roll-ups with apples and sun butter, and, of course, raw carrots. In spring, each class garden plants a tomato and some peppers, cucumbers, and beans.

Ms. West tells us "Perhaps the students' favorite part of the garden is the pond, that has a small cascade of water and a marshy area with purple lotus flowers and a slightly deeper pool visited by toads each spring that leave hundreds and hundreds of eggs in long strands.  Turtles also visit our pond, as well as many migrating birds, such as American goldfinch, Cedar waxwings, and American robins.

"Around the edges of the Travis garden are "pollinator gardens", sometimes called "insectiaries".  Many of our vegetables depend on pollination, so it is important to invite bees, wasps, and butterflies into our garden.  Students enjoy watching these insects that are so helpful to our community.  Gardens also need compost piles which can manage the waste from gardens and then provide rich soil.  Students love running over to the compost bins and tearing up the spent leaves of our broccoli, kale, and chard.  (Just a reminder: tomato and potato leaves should never go into compost piles)." - Christina West

"A garden is a grand teacher," naturalist Gertrude Jekyll wrote. We are so fortunate to have this rich resource here in our neighborhood, for our kids, birds, beetles, butterflies and more.

Stay tuned for an opportunity to tour the garden with Ms. West and learn more. The Travis Elementary Garden is supported by the school's PTA, grants, donations, and volunteers. If you are interested in helping in some way, please contact beautification@woodland-heights.org and we will put you in touch.

And an honorable mention goes to 923 Teetshorn, nominated by a neighbor for their nice flower beds. Well done!

Yard-of-the-Month: 411 Bayland /  by Lori Bigler

It's azalea season, and Mary and Brad Robbins' yard at 411 Bayland is blooming! Some of their bushes were thriving before they moved in nearly 30 years ago - wow! The massive, classic oaks nearly dwarf the Wilson four-square, and host resurrection ferns on their sprawling limbs. The effect is quieting.

The shade across the front meant their landscaping had to transform over the years with their family, and was rebuilt in 1997 with design and construction help from Bill Salario, incorporating a brick kitchen garden, a 'Secret Garden' with fountain, and river rock. But the front porch has always been lined by the azaleas that don't seem to mind the shade.

Raising a family of four boys meant creating spaces for them to play, including a long zip line, now replaced with a swing set for the grandkids and raised garden beds to take advantage of the sunshine away from the arching oaks. Around the pathways and stonework can be found gardenias, camellias, agapanthus, aspidistra, hidden ginger, ligularia, brunfelsia, maidenhair fern, and spider lily. A stone path with dwarf mondo grass leads away where Brad's plumeria collection enjoys the sun.

Thanks to a tip from my friend and neighborhood volunteer, Pat Schaper, who noticed this yard and suggested I have a closer look. So glad I did! If you have a yard you would like to nominate for Yard of the Month, send an email to beautification@woodland-heights.org

Yard-of-the-Month: 1126 Highland /  by Lori Bigler

Brian Walker and Lorenzo Rodriguez have been lovingly tending their garden at 1126 Highland for over twenty years.

With midwinter taking a toll on many yards, theirs stands out as it continues to bloom, now with deep roots and a history surrounding their home. It’s a treat for neighborhood wildlife and insects, with diverse plantings including azaleas, bottlebrush, irises, lilies, lantana, succulents, and hibiscus, as well as the more common crepe myrtles, muhly grass, boxwood, and sago palm. They even incorporated a small yard art hydrant to welcome dogs!

The bricks imprinted with Mexia that make up part of their walkway were salvaged from their home’s original oven. When I asked about a pretty tri-leaf filling around their lilies and azaleas, Lorenzo said “That may be a weed. But it’s nice and grows well, so I left it.” I love that approach, and it’s so pretty. 

Stephanie Riceman
WHCA, VP Beautification