“Enjoyment of the landscape is a thrill. Nature never, never lets you down…” - David Hockney
June 2025 - 8742 Hackney Ln
Homeowner Kristen Schwartz purchased her home in the historic Lakeland Hills section of our neighborhood in 2015. The home was built in 1956 by Longhorn Construction for Charles Powers who lived in the home for 59 years. After purchasing the home, Kristen went to work quickly to transform the grounds and add elements that would compliment this mid-century beauty.
Kristen focused first on the hard-scape and added a massive concrete planter at the front of the home and filled it with three giant Agave Ovatifolia. She also created an entry courtyard with poured concrete and Tejas black granite where a mature Tamukeyama Japanese Maple greets guests at brilliant yellow front door that was custom made in Oregon.
Vintage mid-century ellipise shaped garden chairs and table grace the entry courtyard.
Coral bark Japanese maple leaves emerge coral-pink color in spring, then mature to a bright green, turning an incredible orange-yellow in the fall.
Agave Ovatifolia add a sculptural element to poured concrete planters.
Varigated Hosta serve as a backdrop for brilliant fuchsia Summer Crush Hydrangea.
A trompe l’oiel swimming pool creates a focal point in a side yard and a space to enjoy the summer sun.
Tamukeyama Japanese Maple is known for its delicate lace leaf cascading foliage in rich shades of purple-red.
Thank you Kristen for your hard work and creative approach, you hace created an exciting landscape that inspires and one deserving of Yard of the Month.
May 2025 - 11015 Glen Echo Ct
Homeowner Stacey Welch purchased her home in the historic Lakeland Hills section of our neighborhood in 2006. The home, among the first completed in Lakeland Hills, was built in 1956 by Longhorn Construction and designed by E. Dow Davidson. Stacey focused her efforts on the interior of her home for the first few years and in 2019 she began to turn her attention to the exterior. With the help of landscape designer Peggy Tapp, they developed a plan that works in perfect haromny with the clean lines of this mid century gem.
Stacey’s home sits beneath a canopy of Cedar Elms and Red Oaks which provide an opportunity to incorporate plants that thrive in open shade. Japanese Yew, Mondo Grass, and Japanese Maple thrive in this environment.
Abundant drifts of Snow Queen Oak Leaf Hrdrangea line the back yard adding color and clouds of softness.
Geometric patterns in the hardscape beds of Tejas Black Granite and Corten steel planters repeat the pattern of the breeze brick walls.
Spreading Japanese Plum Yew creates a neat border and can tolerate a variety of soil types and light conditions.
Custom made corten steel planters holding Texas Mountain Laurel and Texas Yucca punctuate the landscape.
Original breeze brick walls of smooth peach brick serve as the perfect backdrop for a trio of Bloodgood Japanese maples, the crimson leaves of these ornamental acers bring color to this garden in the spring and as days shorten as winter approaches.
Congratulations Stacey, you’ve created a landscape that works in harmony with your beautiful home and one deserving of Yard of the Month!
April 2025 - 10829 Eden Roc Dr
Homeowners Daniel and Katie Sibley purchased their home in the Mediterranean Gardens / Sylvania Dells section of our neighborhood in 2020. The home, originally designed by architect Carl H. Rooth in 1961 for his family, is nestled on a hillside along East Prong Dixon Branch and sits beneath a canopy of native Texas trees. Following a year long renovation, (2020 - 2021) Daniel and Katie turned their attention to creating a landscape that was equally as beautiful as their home. Fortunately they had a head start as elements of the original 1961 landscape plan, by celebrated landscape architect Richard Myrick, were intact.
A bed at the street holds a mix of flowering plants including Texas Sage, Azalea, Texas Red Yucca, Dwarf Nandina, and Yucca Pendula.
As you descend the hillside toward the house you enter a sunken courtyard bursting with color and texture. Landscape beds lined by Texas sandstone block are filled with Japanese Maples, assorted Lillies, Mexican Feather Grass, Creeping Juniper, Pansies, Heuchera, and Azaleas.
Off of the sunken courtyard and hidden behind a rose colored wall of giant Barberry is an enclosed courtyard that holds a swimming pool. The pool courtyard walls are lined with Carolina Jasmine that will soon be adorned with fragrant white blooms.
The enclosed courtyard is shaded by mature trees which are strung with warm outdoor lights, and the relaxing sound of cascading water from the nearby feature fills the space.
Artificial grass is skillfully used in heavily shaded areas to assure year round color with little maintenance.
Congratulations to Katie and Daniel Sibley, your hard work and vision has yielded a dynamic landscape that is deserving of Yard of the Month!
November 2024 - 10740 Rose Creek Court
Homeowners Sue and John Benson built their home in the Rose Creek Gardens section of our neighborhood in 1997. The home was designed by Gray Delk in close consultation with the homeowners who guided every aspect of the design process.
When it came to landscaping the homeowners were just as hands on and engaged. They wanted to create a park-like landscape that invited guests to walk around the property and enjoy the grounds from various positions and one that took advantage of the commanding views overlooking Dixon Branch.With over fifty mature trees on site they had to design a landscape that could tolerate both sun and shade. They created a series of pathways with Texas Flagstone and Dwarf Mondo Grass bordered by banks of Asian Jasmine, Holly Fern, and Japanese Aralia.
As you travel along the winding paths sunlight filters through the canopy of tree foliage creating patterns of light and shadow and at each turn the viewer is greeted by original sculptures that punctuate the landscape. Another path leads to a wooden deck that cantilevers over Dixon Branch and offers spectacular views of limestone walls and a mix of 100 year old Pecan Trees, Cedar Elms, American Elms, and Live Oaks. Yet another path leads to a koi pond with a traditional Japanese footbridge that is surrounded by a mixture of Fern, Mondo Grass, Pink Periwinkles, and Mexican Petunia. The soothing sound of moving water from a fountain in the center of the pond calls on visitors to pause and rest on a stone bench that awaits nearby. Yellow Ogon Koi swim slowly in the pond that lies between the home and the creek. An added surprise to this property is a green house with numerous species of orchids including Phalaenopsis which the homeowner has a passion for and has cultivated for over two decades.
Years of planning, care, and attention to detail have yielded the park-like landscape that they worked for and a calming atmosphere that stands the test of time…. and one deserving of Yard of the Month.
October 2024 - 10742 Lanett Circle
\When homeowners Kevin McClendon and John Harrington purchased their home in 2018 they knew they were embarking on a journey to preserve a home that had been in Kevin’s family for three generations. Their home on Lanett Circle, in the historic Mediterranean Gardens section of our neighborhood, was commissioned by Kevin’s grandparents, Mr. and Mrs, H.R. McCandless Jr. in 1955 and was designed by the firm of Richardson + Bennett
After completing a multi year renovation and addition that respects the original 1955 design and seamlessly blends old with new, it was time to create a landscape that would compliment their home and enhance the natural setting where it is positioned along Dixon Branch. To help them accomplish this Kevin and John sought the advice of landscape designer John Lendvay, who worked with them to create an environment that includes a wide variety of native Texas species and encourages pollinators.
Starting out with a lush St Augustine lawn and ancient Red Oaks, Lendvay had a wonderful front yard canvass to build upon. To this he skillfully added a variety of Texas native plants including Lantana, Desert Willow, Texas Sage, Salvias, Texas Mountain Laurel Flame Aniscanthus, Spinless Prickly Pear, Anacho Orchid Tree, Mahonia, Wood Fern, Autumn Fern, Japanese Acubas, Giant Liriope, Carex Everillio, Limelight Hydrangea, Impatients, Foxtail Fern, Varigated Fig Ivy, and Coral Berry. Lendvay says, “All of these plants are drought tolerant, provide habitat for hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife, and help us maintain biological diversity. The colorful blooms transform the garden throughout the year and the garden is buzzing with life .”
Kevin and John’s choice to create a landscape that includes Texas native plants is not only beautiful but also guarantees that the plant and pollinator population will reproduce and the cycle of life will continue, this is something to admire and a yard that we can all benefit from.
September 2024 - 8812 Rolling Rock Ln
Homeowners Katie and Billy Withrow looked to Palm Springs as a source inspiration when they began to think about the landscape at their home on Rolling Rock Ln that was custom built by Harry Marlow for Gertrude and Lou Halperin in 1957.
When Katie and Billy purchased their home in the historic Lakeland Hills section of Highland Meadows in 2015 they were greeted by a wooden fence that was falling-art and a lawn that was equal parts grass, weeds, and patches of dirt.
They knew they wanted to make big changes that added to the architecture of the home and sought inspiration by traveling to Palm Springs. While visiting the architecturally significant homes of Palm Springs they observed innovative ways of using basic concrete block that they incorporated into their landscape design.
On their inspiration mission to Palm Springs they also determined that they wanted to incorporate plants that added color but also ones that could survive the extreme weather of North Texas. With this in mind they chose Desert Bird of Paradise, Desert Willow, Vitex, and Artichoke Agave to add to their front lawn.
A massive 67 year old Red Oak, that was planted the front yard when the home was built in 1957, provides shade for most of the day except when the western summer sun is at its most intense. There was also the steep slope of the front yard to consider and they knew that turf wasn’t the answer, so they decided to create a feature of Carex Everest Sedge and planted it in a grid pattern.
In the backyard Katie and Billy wanted flowering perennials that were drought resistant but also safe for their dogs. After careful research they landed on a variety of sages including Russian Sage, Texas Sage, Autumn Sage, and Purple Sage. They have included Blue Mistflower and Pink Muhly Grass for added texture and color.
Katie and Billy’s mindful approach and determination to create an environment that would add to the value and beauty of their home has yielded a landscape that we can all take inspiration and joy from.
August 2024 - 11030 Cactus Ln
Homeowners Kevin Shepherd and Travis Williams have created an “Oasis of Cool” at their 1957 home on Cactus Ln that was built by A.B. Swank and Associates and designed by celebrated architect J. Todd Stewart.
When Kevin and Travis purchased their home in the historic Lakeland Hills section of Highland Meadows in 2013 they set out to create a landscape that would embrace all of the energy and color associated with mid-century modern and atomic modern.
In the front yard, the meticulously maintained St Augustine lawn, towering pecan trees, Japanese maples, majestic palms, and sculptural desert willows with pink and purple blooms are the perfect compliment to the clean lines of their home. A breeze block courtyard adds dimension and privacy, and a soaring orange sculpture by artist Andrew Alexander adds a vibrant burst of color.
The backyard landscape transports you to a tropical paradise where a swimming pool of turquoise waters and daring orange mosaic tile awaits. Fuchsia bougainvillea surrounds this utopia and palm trees tower over a colorful mid-century inspired mural by Ft Worth artist Christopher Joseph Gonzalez. Skillfully designed landscape lighting adds drama to this property in the evening.
Kevin’s and Travis’ creativity, hard work and dedication to good design have delivered a landscape that can inspire us all!
