Transformation Takes Place
Abundant floral garden named 'Yard of Month'
By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com
Considered fairly new to their home on Live Oak Lane, Greg and Sherrie Witcher have taken a nonexistent yard and transformed it into a haven for blooming flowers and shrubs.

L-N Photo by Quala Matocha Sherrie and Greg Witcher, 1704 Live Oak Lane, have completed landscaping in their front yard, and will soon be working on the back where this Hawaiian Ti is planted. The shoulder-height plant boasts bright pink and eggplant-colored leaves. The couple received March Yard of the Month honors from the El Campo Garden Club.

"The front yard is full of color," Sherrie said. That is due to the mild winter, she added.

Being chosen as Yard of the Month for March, the couple admit they were caught by surprise, considering all the nice yards in El Campo.

The selection was made by El Campo Garden Club members Ruth Speckles and Mary Ottino.

After moving into their home in the fall of 2006, the couple proceeded with some major renovations in the yard that following spring.

"We had a few overgrown shrubs in the front yard removed. The crepe myrtles in the courtyard area were removed and planted in another location," Sherrie said.

Work continued to the back yard where there was no landscaping at all. That part of the yard is still in a work-in-progress.

"In the coming weeks we will complete the backyard," she added. "We will continue with the crushed granite for vegetable container gardening and add an area for flowers or herb beds."

Some alterations were also necessary to take care of the poor drainage problem in the front yard.

"DSG Landscape designed a water drip irrigation system for the beds that has worked well," Sherrie said.

DSG also created the rock edged beds. "They have provided much needed assistance in some problem areas and drainage issues with ideas we wouldn't have thought of," she said.

When the Witchers moved a couple of years ago, they brought with them some sentimental plants, like the large leaf begonia.

"It has been divided many times. It was from my late grandmother's garden. I treasure it because it is a constant reminder of her. She passed on her love of gardening to her children and grandchildren," she said.

One of the favorite qualities of their yard is the rock fountain designed by DSG.

"We enjoy sitting on our patio, watching the birds, butterflies and cat approach it," she said. "It's such a relaxing retreat taking in the wonders of God's creation."