38 Royal Oaks Cir. 
310 Wye St. 
904 Jeffrey St. 
Zera Coffee – 420 E. McKinney St. 
917 Crescent St. 
1418 Greenwood Dr. 
1600 Lynhurst Ln. 
2004 Parkside Dr.
38 Royal Oaks Cir.
In his two years at his house, Philip Lamb built a beautiful yard. Mr. Lamb designed the hardscape and chose some of the plants, while also taking species recommendations from landscaper Neal McCoy, who did the installation.
There is a wide variety of native and adapted species such as Turk’s cap, red yucca, phlox, and Yellow Texas Primrose. He has a variety of trees on the property, including dogwood, Forest Pansy Redbud, and Japanese maple.
Gardening is a passion that is shared generationally in many Yard of the Month Winners, Mr. Lamb included. His mother gave him a particular Bearded Iris nearly 30 years ago, and he’s taken it to three different houses with him. He gathered up more Bearded Irises at the Dallas Iris Society sale last year.
310 Wye St.
There’s just something welcoming about the Southeast District winner- the long-time home of Olga Esquivel and her husband. In part, this might be due to the soft, warm glow of the late afternoon sun reflecting off the unique wooden fence enclosing their property, which is home to a variety of young and mature trees, boxwood hedges, and flowering plants. One striking piece is a young magnolia, which (if you look closely), has a series of small, concrete frogs hopping up the trunk!
It’s these hidden details that make Olga’s yard such a pleasure to observe, things like an occasional statue, the blend of textures from her trees, and the occasional pops of color visible beyond the greenery. Some of this might not be apparent at first glance, but that makes this yard all the more impressive as it draws you in for a second look.
904 Jeffrey St.
Our East district winner this month is Debbie and her mother. It’s impossible to miss the outstanding colors and textures of their lovely yard, including over 100 plants (many of which are different species) across the front and back yards. Some of Debbie’s favorites include her ferns, hibiscus, cannas, and trumpets. One of the most striking things about the yard is the extensive use of attractive, well-placed container plants, which adds further dimensions to the yard.
Containers aren’t just pretty, of course, they’re also easily moved- and that’s just what Debbie and her mom did four years ago. At that time, the two decided to move in together, and Debbie’s mom expressed that one of her final wishes was to have a truly beautiful yard that was “full of flowers.” So, they transported the majority of the plants in the yard from her mother’s home in Gainesville and have added a few more over the years.
Most days, her mother sits by the front door, taking in the little piece of paradise they’ve created, and they are thrilled to share just a bit of that with you as one of September’s Yard of the Month winners.
917 Crescent St.
Congratulations to Alicia Eggert, September yard of the month winner. Her yard is water-smart with the grass replaced by hardscape and native plants in a fascinating design. Alicia, an obviously artistic gardener, came up with the design and installed it mainly by herself.
Many of the native and drought-tolerant plants were obtained from the Texas A&M Water University “U Plant It” program. Some of Alicia’s favorite plants are red yucca, prickly pear, Texas sage, and cannas. With the beautiful plant beds and designed paths using Oklahoma flagstone, decomposed granite, wood chips, and limestone edging, one does not miss the grass at all!
1418 Greenwood Dr.
This dappled shade garden is at the top of a sunny well-manicured lawn. The garden is well-balanced with hydrangeas along the edge of the front porch. Elephant ears on one corner balance ornamental grasses on the other corner. A row of nandina follows the porch line with Loropetalum and ferns. There are shade-loving plants scattered among the bushes. Colorful Oxalis, geraniums, Pentas, Begonia, violets, and Julia Child Rose compliment the curving hardscape.
The homeowners offer Hummingbird feeders and fresh water for the wildlife. The garden is protected from weeds and heat with a layer of mulch. Overall, a very relaxing yard to enjoy while sitting on the porch.
1400 Lynhurst Dr.
A corner lot is often a challenge, but Andy and Mary Ann Gilliard have combined the best of the position of his dwelling and the sweep of the corner to create a landscape utilizing mostly native grasses, flowers, succulents, and mulch. The eye goes from the curb, through the spaces in the turf and up to the crape myrtle and to the oak trees. The light-colored brick of the home and the tufts of the grasses contrast beautifully with the pink, yellow, and green of the vegetation.
With a little help from their grandson to do the heavy-lifting, the Gilliard’s work hard to keep the seemingly free-form yard both graceful and well-defined.
2004 Parkside Dr.
Custom hardscape details compliment the neatly landscaped yard of Albert and Connie Ramirez. The couple does all the yard work themselves, which included building the water fountain feature and the custom stone mailbox. Mr. Ramirez actually created both pieces with leftover rock from a landscaping project at this daughter’s home.
The yard keeps one’s interest with plants of different heights and sizes. One is drawn to the colorful pots and plants, including Begonias, rose moss, and a full spiderwort by the porch. The beauty does not end at the Ramirez’s yard – Albert does the landscaping for several neighbors and fellow Denton residents, too!
Zera Coffee –420 E. McKinney St.
Two things we love at KDB- native water-smart plants and beautified spaces! Zera Coffee’s plot on East McKinney Street could easily be paved with the adjacent patio and parking lot. Instead, it serves as a great example of what can be done with a small space and no supplemental watering. A passerby will find species that include red yucca, Mexican feather grass, santolina, variegated privet, Loropetalum, and crepe myrtle trees. The variety selected brings texture and color to the storefront. If you are looking for inspiration for your small garden, look no further!
