When the Frost is on the Punkin

By JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

…They’s something kindo’ harty-like about the atmusfere

When the heat of summer’s over and the coolin’ fall is here—

Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,

And the mumble of the hummin’-birds and buzzin’ of the bees;

But the air’s so appetizin’; and the landscape through the haze

Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days

Is a pictur’ that no painter has the colorin’ to mock—

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder’s in the shock….

No doubt the extreme heat of this summer and fall has caused many CCH gardens to lose their vibrancy.  The Country Hills Garden Club discovered an attractive October Beauty Spot at 10011 Cornwall Road where Michele and Michael Rogers have kept their landscape looking colorful with seasonal flowers and decorations. Tall evergreen trees and low-spreading dogwoods have protected the yard from beaming sun and plant stress. Along the house’s brick walls, rhododendrons, azaleas, hostas, and ferns still show off their unique green foliage behind a border of white rocks. Garden ornaments of life-like birds and woodland animals are interspersed in the greenery. To welcome the arrival of autumn, Michele has placed eye-catching arrangements of sugar pumpkins and chrysanthemums near the house entryway and lamp post. At the center point of the garden between containers with yellow cushion mums, smiling scarecrows hold hands in friendship and express appreciation for “Harvest Blessings.” This cheerful, harvest-themed landscape makes us eager for a “coolin’ fall” and celebrations with tricks, treats, turkeys, and trimmings!

Respectfully submitted,

Anita Johnson and Nancy LeBow

Country Hills Garden Club

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Driving through Country Club Hills, you see some neighbors out working in their yards on a regular basis. Such is the case with the owners of the home at 9909 Broadview Drive. Congratulations Andy Pachuta and Jackie Santana: We are delighted to award you the September 2019 Beauty Spot of the Month! 

Andy and Jackie have created an oasis on their corner lot at Broadview and Country Hill Drive. The yard is well-maintained and inviting. Passing along the Broadview side of the property, the color red pops out and carries the eye across the yard, from the barn-style shed (at the top right of the driveway) to the seating area decorated with red Adirondack chairs (to the left of the driveway).  The landscaping features mostly trees and shrubs. Several older maple trees throughout the property provide lovely shade. To the right side of the driveway is a Japanese red maple, ringed with liriope at its base. To the left of the driveway is a beautiful red bud tree. The yard has a slope to it; the retaining wall, while serving a structural purpose at the base of the red bud tree, also adds a wonderful textural hardscape interest.  

Along the Country Hill side, a variety of evergreens (holly, acuba, euonymus, and yews) act as a privacy screen for the patio with another sitting area with benches that Jackie painted black. Another hardscape feature—a stacked stone wall at the left corner of the patio—provides more textural interest to the yard. A beautiful row of arbor vitae will eventually grow to be a lush privacy screen to border the property. 

Stop by and see this beautiful yard! 

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer Judelsohn

Joyce Skoglund

Nancy Lebow

Country Hills Garden Club

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This August, look for the Beauty Spot of the Month at 3421 Brookwood Drive, where Elvesia and John Cesarini live. The Country Hills Garden Club praises their masterful use of line, form, color, and texture in their unique landscape design. During the hot, humid days of summer, the terraced front yard remains refreshingly cool beneath a bower of tall evergreen and deciduous trees.   Flower beds have been added along the straight property lines and the house base.  Raised island beds enclosed by stacked stones contribute balance and movement to the layout.  The summer spectacle in the yard stars a mix of blooming perennials. Pink crepe myrtle, roses, and geraniums flanked by golden coreopsis and black-eyed Susan flash their vibrant colors in shafts of sunlight that penetrate the tree canopy. Several varieties of the shade–loving hosta are thriving in this environment.  Hosta plantaginea, also called the August Lily, flaunt fragrant, bright white trumpet-shaped blossoms. Other hosta, though not in full flower this month, form a showy mass of overlapping, heart-shaped leaves. The lemon-lime and blue-green foliage lends a tropical tone to the garden.  John takes pride in his craftsmanship in creating and restoring garden ornaments which he artfully arranges at different heights. At the center of the yard, butterflies cut and decorated by hand perch high on a maple tree trunk. Midst the hosta below, a life- like white swan he painted with precise detail creates the illusion that it is serenely floating in a blue lagoon.  This gorgeous garden oasis enhances the aesthetic appeal of the Cesarini yard and the CCH neighborhood!

Respectfully submitted,

Anita Johnson and Nancy LeBow

Country Hills Garden Club

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