Village West Yard of the Month
The Village West August Yard of the Month winner is 11502 Del Monte. Much of what you see today was re-planted following the February freeze, but major elements survived and some are still recovering. The owner used the freeze as an opportunity to rebuild and invigorate beds, adding new soil and organics (coffee grounds and corn meal).
August Summer Heat
Getting gardens to perform in August is hard, but this owner has plants that thrive in the summer heat (also spring bloomers). The summer landscape is blooming perennials and annuals. From the street the yellow Zinnias and pink Crepe myrtles are a stand-out! The Zinnias share the bed on the left with a Loropetalum (Chinese fringe flower). Additionally, a Sago palm that has recovered nicely. There are also Azaleas (significant pruning after the freeze), Foxtail and Cockscomb.
The Plants for August Yard of the Month
The plants in the beds on the right are similar to left side. Mature nandina, more Azaleas and Agapanthus anchor the bed. The May night sage, Lantana and Milkweed are in bloom. Bottlebrush and a sago palm are still in recovery mode, but alive!
Each of the front beds are edged with blue Katie ruellia (dwarf Mexican petunia). A hardy, low mounding perennial that can bloom from spring to fall. It’s cold hardy, drought tolerant and disease resistant and will bloom in sun or shade. It’s a Texas Superstar plant as well as a Texas SmartScape plant based on the qualities above and its ability to thrive without additional irrigation. Check out the list of Texas Superstar plants here. Texas Superstar® Plants
If the owners of Village West August Yard of the Month winner 11502 Del Monte intended to place a variety of flowering plants that would attract pollinators then they were successful. Bees and butterflies were sampling the Zinnia, Sage, Lantana, and Milkweed. There are beds around the Crepe myrtles in the yard that contain Amaryllis (winter bloomers), more Katie ruellia and May night sage. Rounding out the landscape is the lush green lawn and pots at the entry containing colorful Croton and Lavender.
Please stop by to congratulate the owners on their successful efforts and admire their plants.
Village West
Village West is located in Houston’s Energy Corridor business district. The neighborhood is conveniently located to many of Houston’s major roadways therefore making it an easy commute to many of Houston’s employment centers. It’s a beautiful well established neighborhood with many benefits and amenities for it’s residents. For more information about Village West and all it’s wonderful amenities, visit Village West.org .
Village Gardeners Westchase
Remember, Village Gardeners is available to help with your landscape or gardening questions or problems. Contact Tracy Niall, Carla Cooper or Cindy Overton – or better yet, join us at the clubhouse at 6:30 on the 2nd Tuesday evening each month to learn more about your landscape with like-minded neighbors.
Sponsor
Many thanks to our partner, Connie Vallone of Park West Real Estate (713) 249-4177, who underwrites the Yard of the Month award. She has worked with Village Gardeners to support Village West. Please consider her should you need real estate related services.
