Yard of the Month

Common concerns shared by San Marcos gardeners are landscape maintenance, rainwater management, deer browsing and use of front yard space. All these elements are addressed in a recent renovation of the Sutherlun residence on West Mimosa Circle in Spring Lake Hills, the January Yard of the Month for Spring Lake Garden Club. The Sutherlun home now has a fresh face and newly-established landscape of native plants which neighborhood deer pass over, although young trees are protected until mature enough to withstand occasional browsing. New trees include an anacacho orchid, loquat, Mexican plum, persimmon, redbud and yaupon holly.

Homeowners Jacob and Sophia Sutherlun are enjoying the remarkable transformation of downhill sloping property into a yard that slows rainwater runoff from the street and directs most of it to a 5,000 gallon storage tank in the backyard. The Sutherluns worked with Pure Design Build of San Marcos to integrate plans for landscape and water management, including a substantial trench drainway along the front of the house, connected to a pipe carrying water underground to the backyard tank. After careful regrading of the front yard, rainwater runoff is well managed, with even the tilt of the driveway amended to improve drainage. Hardscape (retaining walls, walkways, water channels, etc.) is the first step in any successful landscape redesign, and professional expertise may avoid later retrofits which disturb plants as the landscape fills out.

At the Sutherlun home, the wide planting area next to the street slows water as it flows downhill towards a small lawn area where Zoysia grass has replaced St. Augustine turf. This “green patio” is perfect for children’s play and adult visiting outdoors, on either the entry porch or the adjacent walkway of large concrete pavers, poured in place with textured surfaces. These same pavers lead visitors from the street to the house, with tall metal edging defining a onestep-high retaining barrier between the planting area and lawn. A strip of future planting squares, covered with crushed dark rock, divides the lawn from the walkway leading from the entry to the garage. Existing plants saved for the new landscape are cenizos lining the driveway, a crape myrtle near the street, and a spreading mountain laurel on the far side of the yard.

Only one of two large elm trees in the front yard survived the February 2021 freeze, but the survivor holds a bench swing in the front planting area, accessed by a walkway of large flagstones. On the other side of the yard, a semi-circular bench and flagstones encircle a young tree, its slim trunk still protected from deer. Both the tree swing and bench invite guests to relax and enjoy the maturing planting area, including graceful Gulf muhly grass, multicolored lantana, sages and other native plants that thrive in full sun. But the star of the show is a large grouping of Copper Canyon daisies with brilliant yellow blooms continuing from summer to fall and beyond. After freezing weather arrives, these native plants will be cut back so they can bloom and thrive in another growing season.