Village West Yard of the Month
The Village West April Yard of the Month winner is 11303 Ella Lee Lane. Kicks off the 2022 gardening season! At first glance this yard is clean and neat. When you look more closely, there are several different elements that come together to make this landscape work. Two mature oaks – each on a raised bed edged in landscape blocks – frame the house and yard. The trees have high canopies that allow a healthy crop of St Augustine to grow year-round. Against the left side of the house and behind the oak is variegated shell ginger still recovering from our late freezes this year.
11303 Ella Lee Lane
There’s no lawn on the right side of 11303 Ella Lee Lane. Instead there’s an architecturally placed grouping of boxwood shrubs manicured to a spherical shape – a great alternative to a single row of shrubs against the house. Pentas (perennial) and a colorful yellow annual front this bed. There are matching tree stye Indian hawthorn on either side of the sidewalk to the front door. The walkway beds get late afternoon sun and include fern, foxtail fern, and mature nandina. The nandina was placed to screen the windows so the owner can enjoy natural light without sacrificing privacy. The front door is framed with large pots filled with colorful coleus and ivy.
This house has a driveway worth noticing – like everything else, understated, but well done. There is a small pergola-style structure and deck (hardscape elements) at a side door with potted plants beside the door. A Japanese yew faces the street. How to hide the trash cans? Build a small structure like these owners have on the opposite side of the driveway. A gardenia waits to be planted after the wood is painted.
April Yard of the Month
Finally, notice the artistic elements – the strapped metal ball lying under the oak (art project from daughter’s welding class!), the fountain, strategically placed potted color, and a bench. Each carries some weight in this landscape, but doesn’t overwhelm. Landscape, hardscape and artistic touches – all balanced. Congratulations to our April winner!
We encourage you to visit the winning yards for landscape inspiration in your own yard. And don’t miss the chance to talk with your neighbors when you do!
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 .
Thanks to our April judges for highlighting this yard for us. (A different group of judges chooses the winning yard each month, ensuring a variety of gardening styles/preferences are considered.)
Sponsor
This marks the 3rd year that Connie Vallone of Park West Real Estate (713) 249-4177 has underwritten support for the Yard of the Month awards. We value and appreciate her involvement in our community and hope that you will consider using her for your real estate needs.
