SUNNY NATIVES GARDEN
3804 Long Meadow Drive
Flower Mound
Flagstone, a bench and a dry
creek bed at her front entry
invite viewers to see the
remaining one acre studded
with native plants. Herbs, fruit trees and a
vegetable garden greet
visitors to the back garden.
Having a full sun garden is
something roses love…and
this homeowner has 65-70 different
varieties. Although the yard
is only three years old,
its sandy soil was amended
with Dynodirt for the
current results.
The homeowner fenced her compost area at
the back of the yard. Upon
closer inspection you’ll see
blackberries and passion
vine along the back fence
and even a weeping redbud.
Wind chimes and shade beckon
visitors to the arbor
sheltering
the meditation garden where
the wee folk are. Look
carefully for the little
fairy garden tucked in among
the plants. The iron gazebo
joins other accents—a druid
sun dial, Celtic inspired
art and sitting areas.
On cooler evenings the fire
pit provides comfort. A variety
of plants, feeders, houses
and baths provides care for all
creatures who stop for a respite.
Directions: From Cross
Timbers Rd (FM 1171) turn
south onto Chimney Rock Drive.
Take a left on Long Meadow
Drive.
Waterwise Garden
355 Oak
Trail Drive
Double Oak
The
front entry is handsomely
flanked with ferns, and the
side garden is a pleasant
stroll through Texas natives
and drought resistant
plants. The clay and sandy
soil at this site has been
amended with truckloads of
Dynodirt. The
homeowner has embraced the
xeriscape approach to
ecological gardening and
claims in June the hoses are
used only on the southern
garden. During July and
August the soil receives an
overnight soak only once
weekly. Plants have been
chosen for locations
according to the amounts of
sunshine in different areas.
The meandering shade offers
hostas and Hershey azaleas.
Several plantings have
historical significance such
as the
antique rocket daylilies
from the 1920's. The white
color scheme along the
driveway was planted to
please her husband with
memories of Old South
Natchez crepe myrtles and
white iris
rescued from an abandoned
house. Located on a corner
lot, each side of the house
has received attention. The
pool area in the back yard
proudly displays two very
large palms.
Don’t miss our PLANT SALE on
the shaded driveway. Unique
plants and favorites from
the featured gardens as well as gift ideas
are available!
Directions: From FM
407/Justin Road turn south
onto Simmons Road. Turn
right on Oak Trail Drive.
"I
garden not for pretty but
for the creatures I want to
entice to my garden.
So I have rare specific host
plants for butterflies,
feathered friends and
wildlife. Sometimes it
all looks a little unkempt
while the dead seed heads
feed the birds or the vines
reach the trees or the
wildflowers go to seed.
But I wasn't here first; the
wildlife was."
--Owner of the Secret Garden
Secret Garden
3
Whittier Court
Highland Village
Certified as a National
Backyard Wildlife Habitat as
well as a Texas Wildscape
Backyard Habitat area, this
homeowner has given
considerable thought to
soil, lighting, art and
whimsy to make a lovely,
restful environment for both
her family and the critters
that visit. She was very
recently awarded the
butterfly habitat
certification from Texas
Discovery Gardens and, from
the University of Kansas,
the Monarch Waystation
Certification! Water
features abound beginning
with the pond waterfall at
her front entry, and in the
backyard fountains, bird
bubblers, baths and a pool
are tucked in amidst
butterfly, herb and fern
gardens and a raised
square-foot garden for
veggies. One gazebo provides
shelter for citrus trees
when converted to a winter
greenhouse. Fairies and
“Snap” the dragon oversee
one of two unfiltered
eco-balanced ponds.
Giving her outside space the
same regard as interior
areas, Janet has applied
principles of Feng Shui to
include handcrafted tiles
beneath the gazebo and
chandelier hanging overhead.
An extensive French drain
system hidden within the dry
stream beds resolved
drainage issues and recently
a rainwater collection
system was installed.
Perennials account for 98%
of the plantings and Janet
claims well over 100 roses
(in sun as well as shade).
The alkaline clay soil has
been amended with hundreds
of cubic yards of compost,
Dynodirt and expanded
shale. It’s no wonder
Janet’s garden is back by
popular demand (2003 MG
Tour) as it continues to
morph into more garden
wonders.
Directions: Travel north on Highland Village Road from FM407. On Whittier St, travel west. Whittier Court is the third left.
Riding the Rails Garden
1402
Palmares Ct.
Corinth
This garden owner recently
won Junior Master Gardener
Leader of the Year at the
state level. In
addition, this project won
the JMG County Program of
the Year.
Jenny welcomes hundreds of
school children to her
garden each school year as a
Junior Master Gardener®
Project.
The 2-hour field trip
invites elementary students
to experience this unique
garden railway emphasizing a
hands-on, cross curriculum
approach to learning.
It’s an exciting way to
teach math, science, art,
reading and writing by
combining gardening with a
train-load of fun. The
B&B Garden Railway was
created after taking
grandson Anson to visit
Clark's Gardens outside of
Weatherford. The train has
become a connection for the
family involving several
generations. In addition to
the wonderful train system
winding through hillside and
seaside villages of
Ansonville, Jenny’s garden
supports the health of a 100
year blackjack oak. She has
created several interest
areas including a dry creek
bed to solve drainage issues
and added Dynodirt and Dyno-mini
mulch to amend the soil and
beds. Of special interest
are her Grandmother’s Rugosa
Roses which came as starts
from Jenny’s mother's garden
in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Digging in Santa Fe added
two white peach trees to the
garden. Pathways here guide
you from the gazebo near the
train to the lower garden
patio. Notice the native
beds, herbs and perennial
butterfly garden as you
visit. Be sure to bring your
kids to this truly unique
garden experience.
Directions: From I-35E,
exit State School Rd and
travel south. Upon crossing
Robinson Rd. the street name
changes to Pine Hills. First
cul-de-sac on your left is Palmares Ct.
Hilltop Elementary Garden
1050
Harrison Lane
Argyle
In 2005 the
science teacher at the newly
completed Hilltop Elementary
School saw the opportunity
to implement an outdoor
learning area. With help
from 14 Denton County Master
Gardeners under the
leadership of Kathleen
Gielink and Shelli Stone, a
fenced-in pond, raised
perennial beds, gazebo,
butterfly gardens, red bud
walkway and compost center
was designed and completed.
The initial project required
234 service hours from the
MGs and serviced 675
students the first year. The
composting station is
augmented by an indoor worm
farm sustained by scraps
from the cafeteria. The pond
pump is solar powered and
the gazebo provides shade
for formal instruction of
students in an outdoor
environment with areas to
provide hands-on
instruction. The Junior
Master Gardener Program was
implemented in the science
curriculum. The project
received a Master Gardener
State Educational Award in
2006. The Argyle Elementary
PTA provided funding for
resources and infrastructure
while the Argyle Education
Foundation provided
additional grant funding
along with the DCMGA.
Directions:
Traveling west on FM 407,
turn right (north) onto hwy
377. At Country Club
Road/Crawford Rd. turn right
to travel east. Take the
first right turn onto
Harrison Rd (directly behind
a strip mall center and up
on a hill).
DIGGIN’
DEEPER DEMOS
Plan your
garden visits to coincide
with educational
demonstrations at each
garden at 11:30, 12:30 and
1:30. These programs
highlight topics specific to
each garden. The
presentations are timed to
offer opportunities to ask
questions and should not
interrupt your tour.
|
Seasoned Gazebo |
Not only is this gazebo a
fair-weather retreat, it is
transformed each winter into
a protective haven for
favorite plants. |
|
Butterfly Bounty |
Learn
how to invite these
beauties into your
garden. |
|
Soil
Test 101 |
Learn
how to collect
samples that
identify your soil
composition and
interpret report
findings. |
|
Gardening Means
Better ABC’s |
Students will
demonstrate how
gardening enriches
the learning
experience. |
|
Tiny Trees
|
Bonsai
pruning is a creative aspect
to scale plants in the model
train village landscape. |
