Sanders' yard boasts colorful flowers throughout
By QUALA MATOCHA lifestyle@leader-news.com
Three ingredients - fertilizer, water and good soil - plus the love of flowers, are the secrets to gardening success for Jimmy and Carol Sanders, 2608 Hutchins Lane. The couple were chosen as August Yard of the Month honorees. El Campo Garden Club members Rita Radley and Theresa Webb made the selection.

Clothed In Pink Carol and Jimmy Sanders, El Campo Garden Club's August Yard of Month honorees, stand before a hedge of bright pink crape myrtles, a favorite area for the couple. Over the past few years they have added several flower and rose garden areas in the back yard. The roses are of particular interest to their granddaughters, who love to pick the blooms and give them as gifts to family and friends. L-N Photo by Quala Matocha

"We were surprised and appreciate the honor," Carol said. "Jimmy and I want to do our part to beautify El Campo."

Since the couple moved into the home nine years ago, they have done a lot of work.

"We outlined the flower beds with concrete edging; planted 500 caladium bulbs and added rose gardens in three places," she said. "We redesigned our patio with cool decking, solar lights and removed four trees. We also improved our watering system."

In addition to caladiums, crepe myrtles, Knock Out roses, statues, bird baths and assorted colorful flowers are placed throughout the landscape, which offer a haven for birds, butterflies and other animals.

"We enjoy the butterflies, hummingbirds, doves and squirrels," she said. Tropical floral areas are also favorite locations for the couple, but the rose bushes are a special place for their granddaughters.

"Our granddaughters love to pick the roses and give them away," Carol said. Rose bushes can be viewed from inside the house as well, offering added enjoyment.

"In all we have four bird baths that the birds have fun in," she said.

The couple have implemented various plants received as gifts from family and friends.

To keep track of the caladiums she plants each year, Carol takes photos.

"I have about 300-400 caladiums that come back yearly," she said. "I forget what was planted where, so I have started taking yearly pictures and putting them in an album. So I am surprised every year as to what the yard will look like. I found one bulb planted six years ago that was nine-inches in diameter. The leaves were 14 inches in diameter."

During the most active part of the growing season, the

couple gets help from friend

Ernest Dorotik. Future plans for expanding the garden are also in progress.