The Country Hills Garden Club is pleased to award the July Beauty Spot of the Month to Tony and Patty Miller at 10113 Spring Lake Terrace.
The Millers have been residents for over 35 years. They recently have put a lot of effort into transforming their yard from mostly grass and azaleas to a plethora of pollinator friendly plants and natives. The landscape transformation has been a joint effort, with Patty choosing plants and placement and Tony providing the labor. They are proud to note that no pesticides have been used.
As you approach the house, symmetrical fenced areas flank the driveway. Each are anchored by butterfly bushes and a host of brightly colored perennials. The bed on the right contains daylilies, liatris, native wild iris, coneflower, aster, and coreopis. A lone clematis clings to the fence and celosia dot the foreground.
Celosia and coreopsis are continued in the left side bed, however here is where the pollinator action is in full swing. An assortment of brightly colored bluebeard, coneflowers, zinnias, and sedum cover the area. Black lilies are in bloom and a grouping of common and swamp milkweed, along with butterfly weed, provides a sanctuary for young Monarch butterfly caterpillars. This area is a magnet for busy bees and birds. A multitude of nests are tucked away in the barberry bushes and bees bounce from flower to flower. A solitary snowball bush along the back waits to bloom again in the spring.
The flower bed along the front of the house contains a lush green landscape with pops of color throughout. Patty has included purple sedum and bearded iris collected from her Grandmother’s garden long ago. Porcupine grass and Autumn Joy sedum hug the brick façade with bright blooms from daylilies and astilbe woven throughout. A collection of Easter lilies grows larger each year from gift plants received.
Ostrich fern predominantly line the property border helping to control run-off. The Millers believe they have over ten different kinds of fern throughout their property, but they have lost count! Located along the side yard is a weeping redbud, an orange azalea and a hidden black raspberry patch.
The Miller’s have put a lot of effort into their pollinator paradise, so as you get ready to watch some fireworks this coming 4th, we hope everyone will check out some of nature’s colorful fireworks as well.
Have a happy and safe July 4th weekend!
Kirsten Youngren
Country Club Garden Club
