Yard of the Month - 2013
August Yard of the Month: Judy Tyson - 1243 Ferncrest Drive
A native of Louisiana, Judy Tyson was looking for an attractive and conveniently located neighborhood when she moved to Jackson in 2007 and found the perfect match on Ferncrest Drive. A focal point of the front yard is a flower bed by the driveway filled with black-eyed Susans and an assortment of herbs. Judy says perennials and flowers, including tulips, pop up year-round in the flower bed. Her lawn is routinely mowed and maintained by Curtis Matthews, and she highly recommends him to neighbors looking for a dependable, professional yard service. Judy's yard is the best advertisement!
Judy Tyson is shown receiving the Yard of the Month sign from John Jones, Association president.
Elephant ears and a colorful pot of crotons create eye-catching accents for Judy's front entrance.
July Yard of the Month: Janusz & Danuta Szlubowski - 1432 Woodshire Drive
The Szlubowkis are accomplished musicians, and they're outstanding gardeners, too! Their front walkway is lined with decorative bricks, landscape timbers, flower beds, roses and ivy to create a beautiful and dramatic entrance. Their back yard is lined with pebble pathways connecting several individually designed "nooks" — picturesque spaces that are perfect for relaxing, reading, dining or entertaining. Janusz and Danuta are pianists, and their daughter, Marta Szlubowska-Kirk, is a violinist and concertmistress of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.
The Szlubowskis are shown receiving the Yard of the Month sign from John Jones, Association president. In the center photo, Janusz relaxes in the breakfast nook, and at right, he and Danuta are shown on one of the many pebble walkways in the back yard.
Bricks and landscape timbers create a dramatic front entrance. In the center, John Jones and his friend, Greg Buckles, check out the firepit in the Szlubowski's back yard. The space is lined by artificial Christmas trees -- a clever way to incorporate year-round evergreen colors and festive lights for the holidays! At right, a beautiful curving stairway made by Janusz.
The Ellises set off the unique A-frame design of their home with an equally unique landscaping plan that incorporates cute statuary, colorful flowers and perennials, lush sago palms and a hardy St. Augustine lawn. Michell used green and orange designer spray paints to give new life to planters, frog and turtle figures, and the cozy bench on her front porch.
June Yard of the Month: Michell & Cedric Ellis, 6133 Ferncreek Drive
Michell Ellis is shown receiving the June Yard of the Month award from Sebrenia Robinson, Association vice president.
At right, Anyah Ellis poses on her front porch, which is decorated with eye-catching statuary and colorful plants and flowers.
May Yard of the Month: Josephine & Wayde Gilbert, 1264 Woodfield Drive
The Gilberts use a creative mix of flower beds, decorative containers, hanging baskets, trellises and colorful flags to keep their front yard
eye-catching through all seasons. An assortment of potted flowers and butterflies creates an inviting entrance to their home. On the right side of their yard is a large mulched bed containing knock-out roses, green and purple potato vines, lantana and a few tomato plants -- a perfect summertime assortment.
Josephine Gilbert is shown receiving the May Yard of the Month award from John Jones, Association president.
April Yard of the Month: Sonia & Alex Walker, 1426 Woodshire Drive
Since moving into their home in 2011, the Walkers have focused on a landscaping makeover. Their design includes a mix of flowering and evergreen shrubs and trees, in addition to decorative rocks. Beds filled with mulch keep plants healthy and add a striking color contrast with the lawn and home. Alex, who owns Jackson Tree Service, enjoys yard projects and also made the rustic brown shutters for the windows. He says their yard is a work in progress: "No matter how much is done, there's always more to do."
The Walkers are pictured receiving the April Yard of the Month award from John Jones, Association president. Below, the Walkers' goldfish pond provides a tranquil and attractive focal point for the back yard. At right, a large agave plant is a unique accent plant in the front yard.
Since moving into their home in 2004, Greg and Angela Young have taken pride in maintaining a neat, well-manicured lawn. Even in winter months when many people take a break from yard work, the Youngs make sure leaves and pine needles are cleared from the yard as well as from the walkway and driveway. Cute statuary adds color to the landscape, and evergreen cast-iron plants, monkey grass and shrubs provide nice accents. They also routinely clear litter from the area that unfortunately gets left behind by pass-through traffic.
February Yard of the Month: Angela & Greg Young, 1171 Woodfield Drive
The Youngs are pictured receiving the February Yard of the Month award from John Jones, Association president.
Yard of the Month is not a competition but a recognition of residents who take pride in maintaining attractive yards and keeping our property values strong. Judging criteria: Creative Design (20 points), Application of Basic Lawn Care (60 points), Distinct Details (20 points).