After February’s freezing weather, San Marcos yards remain in recovery mode until warmer temperatures encourage new growth. So instead of a featured yard for March, here’s a selection of March winners from recent years. Most homeowners face challenges with water management (drought or deluge) and/or browsing deer, but native plants in local landscapes usually survive cold weather, even if cut back near the ground.
March 2020 - Mike and Diane Brucato on Summit Ridge at Stagecoach Trail
Rainwater runoff control and sustainable landscaping are key elements in this yard sloping downhill from the street. Stone foundation planters of boxwood and nandina border rock mulch which directs water to flow around the house. The mulch comes in two sizes, with smaller gravel easier to walk on and larger rocks surrounding oak trees. Hardy Texas native plants in a gravel strip at curbside slow the flow of street runoff so water can soak into turf grass in mid yard on its way to the house. This creative mix of rocks and plants shows that xeriscaping — not “xero-scaping” — can provide an attractive landscape with minimal maintenance.
