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The bragging rights have been bestowed. The yards and environs of six Chesapeake homes have been deemed tops for 2009 in a city that prides itself on kempt lawns, greenery, an abundance of trees, and environmentally sound practices.
The Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council's annual "Notable Yard" winners have been announced. Each of the six have the city's lushest lawn, grooviest grass, sensational shrubs, perfect plants, fantastic flowers, and most outstanding outdoor spaces.
The city's volunteer green group accepted nominations from neighbors, friends or family for well-maintained yards and lawns from homes from each of the city's seven high school districts: Deep Creek, Grassfield, Great Bridge, Hickory, Indian River, Oscar Smith, and Western Branch.
After nominations are received, the CEIC sent judges to rate each natural environment. Winning selections were based not only on pretty, well-mowed spaces but sound and green environmental practices, judicious use and placement of flora, imaginative designs, and creative use of embellishments and accessories.
In a press release, CEIC mayoral appointee Jean Pfaehler, who chaired the Notable Yards project, noted the variations and innovations found in each of the six winners (there was no winner from the Great Bridge district for 2009) and how some used their spaces for utilitarian purposes.
"The yards are all so different," she said. "We have seen yards that devote more space to gardens, rather than to lawn areas. Many homeowners are using rain barrels and compost bins. We have seen beautiful yard art, outdoor seating areas, fire pits, outdoor lighting, water features, and creative use of stone and concrete."
All winners received a CEIC certificate, a $50 gift certificate from White's Old Mill Garden Center, and the right to claim having one of THE most notable yards in all of Chesapeake.
For more information about the CEIC's Notable Yards competition or any other of its programs, activities or projects, contact the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department's Special Programs office at 382-6411.
Eric Feber, 222-5203,
Deep Creek home of Roxanne and Jim Ballentine, 524 Owens Terrace – After Jim’s retirement he and his wife converted their yard into a “park-like setting” with walking paths, trellises, sheds, multi-level decks, a pond stocked with koi, a working water wheel and “lush plantings.” Masses of plants are grouped together, including hydrangeas, knockout roses and daylillies. There’s also room for a full vegetable garden, kiwis, blueberries, pomegranates and jelly palm.
Indian River home of Kathryn and Jack Fogelsonger, 909 Shoal Trail – Judges were impressed by the “European feel” of the yard that includes a stone patio, two-level deck, pond with waterfall and colorful pots with flowers and plants, including vinca, azaleas, geraniums, day lilies, and hydrangeas. In addition, the couple have added bird feeders and water features, along with a variety of outdoor lighting including solar globes, strings of lights and a floor lamp.
Oscar Smith home of Peg and Greg Morin, 703 Watch Island Reach – “Wow” was how the judges described the River Walk yard along the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. Its “most spectacular area” is the natural space between their house and the water that features a wooden walkway leading to a pier. A Big Bird statue made out of old car parts by Peg’s brother Joe Girardi commands the walkway, and their soil yields roses, azaleas, blueberries, crape myrtles and hydrangeas.
Western Branch home of Linda and Paul English, 509 Mimosa Court – The English’s “stunning” yard reflects its primary gardener, Paul, a TCC business administration professor. The garden’s motif recalls his Asian travels. It’s highlighted by 50 Japanese maple trees, Indonesian furniture, Asian art, a large greenhouse, lighting along plant spaces, and stone mosaics. There are compost bins around the property along with a variety of perennials, several types of maple trees, and mondo grass, wisteria, purple passion, lantana and Carolina jasmine.
Grassfield home of Vivienne and Orion Wicker, 3405 Blackhawk Court – Sentimentality is the watchword for this outdoor design. They’ve planted 40-to-50-year-old azaleas from their former Virginia Beach home and a tree given by Orion’s late sister Joyce. There’s also a decorative mailbox built by his brother Bud and a concrete lighthouse. Their yard sports a bear decoration, bird feeders, and an air conditioning unit decorated with bird houses and a vine-covered trellis.
Hickory home of Sandy Ussery, 324 Windlesham Drive – Ussery’s yard has been dubbed a “welcoming area” and an “outdoor room,” thanks to its tropical plants, flip-flop motif walking stones, beach style wooden chairs in a rainbow of colors, a hammock, fire pit and koi-filled pond. A screened porch was built by her sons, Timmy and Taylor. Her yard abounds with flora, including a weeping cherry tree, palms, daisies, snap dragons, azaleas, roses and a black-eyed Susan vine.
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