October 2021 Yard of the Month

October Yard of the Month – 108 Classen

Congratulations to Jim and Selena Dixon, our October YOTM winners! The Dixons have lived in their home for 8 years. It’s located on a beautiful corner lot, shaded by pecan trees, a magnolia, and crape myrtles. When they bought their house, it was being renovated by Tivoli Construction.  The renovation included some minimal landscaping, but they quickly learned "living on a hill" needed special erosion considerations.

The first year they lived here, they studied the sun patterns and defined the erosion problems.  They hired a professional landscape company (David Ralston) to design and install the Corten steel bed arrangement.  They knew they wanted this type of structure after seeing it on a visit to Austin, TX.  The steel beds would complement the mid-century modern architecture of the house and would solve the soil migration problems.  Being lifetime gardeners, they had a list of plants they wanted in the landscape, along with using the plants that were already in the yard.  They've had to replace several plants from last winter's freeze.

What are their favorite plants?  Flowering plants, preferably perennials, and maintenance-free!  At least one plant is flowering in their yard every month of the year.  There are probably 50 flowering species in the yard during the spring & summer when they add annuals and vegetables.  Springtime is the most glorious season when half the plants are in bloom.  Their favorite plant is the full side yard of bridal-wreath spirea - you can use it to craft lovely floral head garlands.  They chose a Ginkgo tree because of its paleontology significance: it's a "living dinosaur" and a 270-million-year-old genus.  They also have an extensive herb variety for cooking purposes. Be sure to check out their winning yard!