JULY YARD OF THE MONTH
The colorful yard at 4028 Pershing Ave. is the result of
many years of trial and error using perennials, natives, annuals,
with an emphasis on anything that attracts butterflies and bees.
When Mark and his wife bought their home at 4028 Pershing Ave. in 2015, they knew the prior owners had left them with a solid foundation upon which they could add their own flair. But, there were invasive ground cover plants in the east side bed that “had to go,” according to Mark who is the gardener in the family. The English ivy, mint and Asiatic jasmine “took many weekends of pulling and digging to clear them out for good.”
The enormous nandina at the west side of the house was spared, even though Mark hacks it back every year. “I left it because it’s in front of a window and it blocks the west sun.”
New to the landscape is the Gregg’s mistflower in the western side yard, next to lantana and old-timey orange day lilies that were already there. Mark transplanted from his previous house iris that he bought many years ago at Costco. “They bloom almost every month–there were four or five blooms in June. I don’t know what kind they are, but they’re purple and white and some are just purple.”
Other recent additions are phlox, echinacea, gaillardia, sweet allysum (that has re-seeded and smells heavenly) and four-nerve daisies that have flowered even in the snow. Last year’s milkweed returned again this year. So did the sweet potato vine that was overflowing in pots last year, but has now voluntarily sprouted up in the nearby ground.
The zinnias have also come back from previous years. “Originally, I planted the bright red Will Rogers variety, but when they’ve come back they’re not as red,” says Mark. “I don’t have the heart to cut them down.” Cosmos are sprinkled in for accent color.
This year, the porch pots are filled with marigolds, vinca, four-nerve daisies, blue daze evolvulus, cape plumbago, and gomphrena. Mark moved from the backyard to the front his Henry Duelberg’s salvia, a Texas Superstar with purple spikes that’s known for its low maintenance, drought tolerance and attracting butterflies. This popular salvia was discovered at the Texas gravesite of Henry Duelberg and was named after him.
Mark amends his soil with Texas hardwood mulch and cedar mulch, as well as compost once or twice a year. He fertilizes with Osmocote and Jack’s 20-20-20.
Even though Mark does a lot of research, he admits gardening is probably “in my blood.” He grew up helping his mom work in her vegetable and rose garden. His mom got the gardening bug from her grandmother. “I didn’t know I had it in me until we moved here,” admits Mark. He’s always willing to give things a try. “Some things have worked that shouldn’t have worked. And I’ve killed some things that are hard to kill, like marigolds.”
Mark received a $25 gift certificate to Archie’s Gardenland and a year’s membership in Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association, courtesy of AHNA.
If you see an award-worthy yard, even your own, please let us know by sending the address to president@arlingtonheightsna.com.
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