MAY YARD OF THE MONTH
The front yard at 4000 Birchman is a literal treasury of plants. From perennials to annuals, there is something for every taste. Take a peek through the chain link fence at the backyard– it’s even better! Photo by Katie Bush
As soon as Paula Costa and Russ Whaley moved into their 1941 bungalow ten years ago, they immediately got to work transforming their yard into what it is today. It helped that they both worked at Calloway’s Nursery and both are certified by the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association as Texas Master Certified Nursery Professionals.
It’s no wonder you’ll find here some unique and unusual plants like Bat Face Cuphea with flowers that resemble the face of a bat and Kangaroo Paw whose flowers resemble you know what. But, it’s not all exotica. Paula loves colorful annuals, including geraniums, New Guinea impatiens, petunias and Gerber daisies. Roses are big favorites, too–last count was over 60 plants.
“Gardening is trial by error,” admits Paula. “If you see a plant you like, buy it and put it in a pot and see what happens.” Her secret key to gardening? It’s all about the sun. “I always encourage people to spend a day making notes about what the sun is doing in your yard at different times of the day. If you plant a shade plant in the sun, it’s probably not going to do well.”
Paula and Russ have learned firsthand that gardens change with time. When they first moved into their Birchman house, they planted a Little Gem Magnolia. Over time, the live oak tree in front of it got so big, it blocked the sun to the magnolia. In its place is now a Bright ‘N Tight Cherry Laurel.
When a Bradford Pear tree that came with the house got fire blight last year, they took it out. It had been providing shade to an entire bed of shade plants, like hostas, holly ferns, Monrovia Crème de Menthe, pittosporum, and an Emperor 1 Japanese Maple. “We’re holding our breath to see what happens when all those plants start getting a lot of sun,” Paula says with fingers crossed..
Tucked in throughout the yard are urns of iris with Calibrachoa and Creeping Jenny cascading down the sides. Crowd favorites are the Weeping Autumn Blaze Maple and the Ruby Falls Weeping Redbud. Two extra fragrant plants, Purple Heliotrope and Sambac Jasmine, are planted by the side yard gate for the enjoyment of whoever passes by.
Last year, Paula and Russ took the plunge to put in an irrigation system. It’s been a huge step forward for them. Their grass is a combination of St. Augustine, zoysia with a little bit of Bermuda popping up. They fertilize with pre-emergent in March and June to keep weed seeds from germinating. Following Neil Sperry’s advice, they use straight nitrogen on their grass. They like granular 21-0-0 All Nitrogen from Calloway’s Nursery. They strongly advise against using Weed and Seed because it fertilizes the weeds along with the grass.
This past August, they had their house painted baby blue with darker blue accents. Another splurge was the mahogany door that was stained a dark brown.
Russ recently retired from Calloway’s after 36 years there. Paula is still going strong, working out of the corporate offices to manage the Calloway’s Pick & Plant program which started in 2017. Customers that sign up for the program can go to Calloway’s and buy whatever plants they want and then pay extra for someone to bring the plants to your home and plant them. Because Calloway’s doesn’t directly provide any landscape design or installation, this program fills a much-needed service.
Paula has promised to host soon a group of interested AHNA members to tour her backyard garden that includes an amazing perennial garden and roses. Stay tuned.
Congratulations to Paula and Russ for being selected as AHNA’s May Yard of the Month. They 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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