Saturday, September 26, 2015

Summer 2015 Landscape Award

A profusion of color bursts forth from the corner garden of Thomas Berhane and his wife Emebet Habte at 12208 Autumnwood Lane, earning them the Tanta-Cove Summer Landscape Award.  At a time when many of our gardens are finally succumbing to the summer heat, this yard boasts many flowers at their peak of bloom.  Though the daylilies have just begun to fade, white daisies, purple coneflowers, and wispy lavender-blue Russian sage dot the landscape with their varied forms while tucked among diverse shades of small evergreens.  Pale pink and deep fuchsia crepe myrtles add color higher up.  Yet even when the blooms eventually do fade, there will remain a rhythm of anchor plantings that continue to impress such as magnolia and juniper.  Dappled hues of pink and white caladium first greet the visitor at the base of the entry walk.  Liriope and small hollies methodically outline the steps upward.  Ultimately, the front door is flanked by graceful banana plants giving one the feel of entering a tropical oasis.  All in all, the garden is a lovely display of the kinds of plants that will thrive in our area.
(Karin Thomas & Carol Pica, selected 7/29/15)

Spring 2015 Landscape Award


The Spring 2015 Landscape Award goes to Aaron and Betty Ruthe, whose beautiful yard is located at 12601 Monterey Circle.  Corner lots are notoriously difficult to landscape well, as they are seen from multiple viewpoints; however, the Ruthes have managed to create a design that leads the eye around the house, from side to side, with an array of shapes, color and textures that are in proportion to the ranch-style home.  The magnolia near the front door provides a pop of spring color, while the manicured shapes of the shrubbery lining the walk invite further exploration of the foundation beds, as well as the plantings in the side yards.  Congratulations to the Ruthes for their meticulously cared-for landscape!

Honorable Mention -- also worthy of note:

  • 1205 Firth of Lorne, home to Warren McGriff, is anchored by mature trees on either side of the front of the house and is pleasantly surrounded with a variety of plantings whose color, shape, height and texture enhance the front entrance and also complement the plantings in the neighbor’s yard!
  • 12501 Monterey Circle, the residence of Gene and Jennifer Pohren and family, displays a variety of plantings, all of which are well-maintained and to scale with the one-story home.  This is a good example of a transitional garden on hold until the weather warms and flowering plants can be added to the landscape.
  • 12904 Argyle Circle, owned by Karen Finnegan, shows an inviting array of plants of differing heights, textures and colors that pull the eye up the hilly front yard to the front door.  The shrubs chosen for this landscape are well-pruned; the mature trees are balanced by the ground cover and azaleas.
(Marge Stevens & Rosemary Weller)