Our Saturday, June 28th Garden Tour from 10am-11am

You might recognize these photos.  If so, you are correct.  Yes, this was our May yard of the month.  We were so at awe at the garden, we asked if they would be willing to have a garden tour.  And yes, they are happy to share. Normally our tours are on the 2nd Saturday, but this tour will be on the last Saturday in June, that will be the 28th, same time as our usual tours.  The back gardens are just as awesome and they have a pool.  

Landscape History

I purchased my 1929 Cottage in 1999, and it had two old Pecan trees that were in bad shape and provided no shade. There were only weeds in the front yard and some native Purple Ruellia and Red Cannas along the driveway.  That was it as far as the landscape went.

I installed a sun garden landscape and planted a 30-gallon Water Oak and 30-gallon Basham Pink Crape Myrte in the front yard, along with 3- 1 gallon Purple Catawba Crape Myrtles along the street that I purchased with a housewarming gift card to Buchannan’s Native Nursery. I received Yard of the Month in the following spring for my initial transformation from the Proctor Plaza Association. 

2000

Over the following 26 years since, my garden in the front yard has become a complete shade garden with my Water Oak is now a 30” caliper tree over two stories high and the Crape Myrtles and Oak have all grown together to completely shade the front yard from the West facing sun. The grass completely receded over the years until there was little left, so I decided it was time to install a shade garden. 

Landscape Redesign 2024

I removed all the grass and installed two winding Blackstar gravel paths on either side for ease of walking to the driveway and side gate, but also for a natural hardscape feature in the garden that provided a natural break from the front beds and the back beds. For the plant selection I wanted plants that gave the look of a shade cottage garden, but were also tough enough to handle mostly filtered shade all day and then get a little blast of early evening sun as the angle of the sun beams under the trees. I also wanted plants that would naturally stay within the 1’-3’ height range.  Plants like Giant Ligularia, Evergreen Bromeliads, Variegated Flax, Spotted Ligularia, Foxtail Ferns, Wood Ferns, East Indian Ferns, Yarrow, Alocasia (Elephant Ear), Variegated Hostas were selected.  

These plants were chosen to have variation in textures, shades of green, and leaf shapes. Then I added Crossandra (orange bloom), White Caladiums, Variegated Brake Fern, Bromeliads, and White Upright Pentas to add color. I used Creeping Jenny (lime green) and Sandy Leaf Fig Ivy as ground cover to fill between the plant’s bare areas. Along the house I created a formal boarder with Winter Gem Boxwoods and the Walking Iris for a more natural flowing look behind them.  I boarded the Larger Crape Myrtle with Goldstrum Rudbeckia.  I also created two color beds with Wasabi Coleus for the lime green contrast with a mini mondo border. 

2025

It is amazing to see what a transformation that landscaping can do for the look of a home and its environment.

We want to thank Joshua’s Native Plants & Garden Antiques for a very nice gift card awarded to our June garden tour recipient.  Joshua’s Native Plants & Garden Antiques  502 W. 18th St.  713-862-7444  www.joshuasnativeplants.net