The St. Charles Court HOA presented July’s Beautification Award to Cal and Billie Brown, of 607 Toulouse Court in the St. Charles Court and St. Charles Court Village Subdivision.
Moving here in 2012, the Brown’s were immediately attracted to their home because of the courtyards. Coming from Oregon, they discovered gardening in the Ark-La-Tex to be much different from that in the northwestern states, so they considered their front lawn a testing ground. They say that mixing old favorites such as Salvias and Purple Homestead Verbenas with Elephant Ears and Palms is a work in progress. It certainly makes a wonderful first impression.
The Brown’s first priority was to design and build a kitchen garden in the backyard. The French door arbor, pictured above, is covered with Grandpa Ott Morning Glories and flanked by blueberry bushes. Walking through, you will find an amazing potager filled with vegetables, herbs, and an array of Cosmos, Nasturtiums, Sunflowers, Zinnias and Marigolds. The strawberry patch is planted in elevated rain gutters so it appears to be raining strawberries.
Cal and Billie said, “Sitting in the shade of the Eucalyptus, listening to the birds sing, watching the butterflies flutter about, and seeing beautiful plants growing from tiny seeds is a true joy.”
