SEPTEMBER YARD OF THE MONTH
Ame Von Tungeln had to learn how to garden in the shade because of the commanding oak tree in her front yard at 4001 Collinwood Ave.
As new empty nesters, Ame and Kenneth Von Tungeln decided to move from Cleburne to Fort Worth in 2020. After an endless search and nearly giving up on finding the home of their dreams, they found the home at 4001 Collinwood Ave. on Zillow. “We had looked at so many houses by then, my husband said ‘this is our house.'” After moving in, the Von Tungelns were delighted to discover that the original owners of their home, Virginia and Charles Endress, had been friends with Kenneth’s grandmother.
Together, Ame and Kenneth are the lawn and garden team. He does the lawn and Ame takes care of the shrubs and flower beds. “It’s a joy for me,” says Ame who has had to learn how to garden in shade because of the ancient oak tree that dominates the front landscape. “The tree is not super happy,” Ame says. She brought in an arborist who recommended trimming the water-damaged branches that were rotting and putting unnecessary weight on the tree.
The rest of the original landscape was a sparse smattering of boxwoods, two enormous holly shrubs, and crepe myrtles that tower over the roof top. Ame removed the boxwoods on the west side of the yard, replacing them with cast iron plants, ferns, lime green Frozen Margarita hostas, variegated liriope, lorapetulum, a foxtail fern and pots of Boston ferns and geraniums. Window boxes are filled with sweet potato vines, coleus, New Guinea impatiens and caladiums.
In front of the two inviting lawn chairs are pots of purple drift roses, in honor of Kenneth’s TCU alma mater.
The east side of the yard gets more sun where Ame has planted nandina, abelia, Turks cap, jasmine, a leopard plant, lantana, verbena, knockout roses, and rose of Sharon.
Ame explains the sign on the front door that says “Be Nice or Leave” is a well-known slogan of New Orleans self-taught folk artist, Dr. Bob. She says the Little Free Library at their front curb gets lots of traffic.
After retiring from a 25-year career as a public school teacher and counselor in Cleburne, Ame now works at Tarrant County Community College in the outreach department. Kenneth is a CPA.
The Von Tungelns received a $25 gift certificate to Archie’s Gardenland (hands down, their favorite nursery) 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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