Heights Garden Club announces our May 11th garden tour from 10-11 AM at 507 W. 16th.

Justin and Sandra Graves, along with their two children and poodle, are the second owners of 507 W 16th Street, built in 2006. This home and the one next door were the first two “green” homes built under the then new Green Coalition push in the city of Houston. The couple purchased the property in 2011 and Sandra began tackling the builder’s landscaping, changing it over to make it her own.

In 2015 lightning struck the roof of the home and the family had to move out for almost a year while the home was rebuilt. This was a challenging time, and the garden suffered as well. In addition to the vegetable gardens, two full grown bottle brush trees were lost. The front gardens are mostly back to their natural state, but the backyard remains a work in progress.

Visitors along the front often stop to chat and enjoy the seasonal color. The front features yellow duranta, varieties of purple salvia, snapdragons, Angelonia, a Japanese tulip tree, a decorative pear tree, crepe myrtle, daylilies, daffodils, and lantana, to name a few. Sandra enjoys working alongside the bees and occasional hummingbirds that frequent the garden.

The kids enjoy swinging and playing in the backyard. The owners often have lawn games such as bocce or corn hole and the fun is extended into the new playroom over the garage, finished in June 2018. The established beds of loropetalum ground the space and each year after Easter the potted Easter lilies go into the ground and sprout up again the following spring.

Additionally, the backyard houses most of the herbs used in everyday cooking, including oregano, basil, parsley, rosemary, African sage, and plenty of mojito mint. A few vegetables are attempting to find a new home in the garden spaces post construction, sprinkled among the roses, flowers, and herbs. The backyard also has a water feature and outdoor shower. Justin is a hobby welder, so you might spot a few of his projects around the property. The camphor tree that shades the yard was planted no doubt by a friendly squirrel. The owners hope you enjoy their little retreat.

Our garden tours are free, last about an hour and please feel free to bring a friend.