First YOM announced for 2017
The Garland County Master Gardeners chose the home of Lin and Jimmy Johnson at 307 Augustus St. as the April Yard of the Month. The minute one sees this colorful array of plants and yard art, they know that they’re in for a treat. “The purple iris seems to wave at you to come on in and see everything their yard has to offer,” states the press release. The front yard has dogwood trees and Japanese maples that tower over a red wagon planted with alyssum and miniature hostas. Double red knockout roses surround a birdbath with a feeder hanging above it.
Along the fence row, Lin Johnson has a variety of iris, including colorful purple and white, roof iris, Dutch and Louisiana irises, and Confederate rose, althea bushes, daffodils, jonquils and a variety of lilies, tulips and hyacinths. The foundation plantings include a climbing rose, peonies, cannas and gardenias. Visitors will see a variety of hibiscus, Lin Johnson’s favorite, planted along side of her trumpet plants. In another flower bed, there are a variety of other plants including porterweed, Becky daisies, verbena, dianthus and mums.
As visitors make their way to the back yard, they will find water barrels that she uses to water and maintain her plants. It is obvious that Lin Johnson likes bunnies, as people note her collection of yard art bunnies scattered around her flower beds. Under the shade of her carport, there are hellebores plants, 20 varieties of hosta plants and various types of ferns. As people walk by the loropetalum tree and several types of hydrangea bushes, they can see her nursery with all kinds of cuttings waiting to be potted. The backyard opens up to a greenhouse and a vegetable garden where they grow onions, tomatoes, multiple types of peppers, okra, squash, asparagus, blueberries and cucumbers. To the side of the garden area, there is a garden bed where she grows a variety of herbs.
Antique window frames with painted flowers decorate the side of her garage that serves as an area for all her shade loving plants. The second greenhouse, which is located at the back yard, is the location for sunny plants, including columbine, quince, spirea, baby’s breath bush, and a variety of shrubs and flowering plants. The yard art includes birdhouses, crosses, a cobalt blue bottle tree, succulent plants in antique containers and a water feature.
The side yard has a large bed of red amaryllis surrounded by annual plants, including shrimp plants, Chinese lanterns, elephant ears, swamp daisies, cone flowers, purple jew plants, yellow rose of Texas, dwarf mulberry, asters, sunflowers coleus and begonias.
Anyone who know someone who has a yard they would like to nominate for consideration as Yard of the Month, call the Garland County Extension Office, 623-6841, or email the name and address to cjd945@ sbccglobal.net.