Published: August 21, 2008 10:38 am            

South Texas Flair

August Yard of the Month

The yard chosen for August Yard of the Month is located at 322 Quarry Springs Drive, the home of Jim and Mary Hamilton.

They moved from Charleston, S.C. two years ago and at that time bought this home. Their children were living in this area and after they retired there seemed to be no reason why they couldn't move to Texas also. John says he particularly likes the winters here.

After moving in they put in a sprinkler system and took out the gullies in the side yard. They both enjoy working in the yard. Mary loves flowers, and so they had to acclimate their choice of plants to those that are mostly deer resistant for the side and front yard. There is a combination of mountain laurel, Texas sage and pittosporum, creating a hedge along the front of the house. Other plants that add color and interest to the flower beds are salvia, Turks cap, Pride of Barbados, aloe with orange blossoms, society garlic, lambs's ear, Texas berry, ginger, lantana, and fig ivy. Most of the beds are mulched with pecan hulls. In a bed near the front door is a huge cactus accompanied by a large clay boot that acts as a flower pot. This bed is mulched with rubble rock, giving it a South Texas look.

An array of colorful pots, urns, and glass balls add interest to the yard. Two huge urns surround the mail box. One pot is used as a water treatment which produces the sound of running water, thus creating the ambience of a running stream nearby. The sounds of the birds and the water create a quiet place to stand and visit with a neighbor or just sit and rest after a busy day.

        

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