Beautification

Lori Bigler

Curbside native tree project - Trees on sale! /  by Lori Bigler

Curbside Tree Sale
from $0.00

Woodland Heights is known for its beautiful Oak trees. To keep it that way we need to get more trees planted than are being removed.

Curbside trees must be planted in the right of way between the sidewalk and the road.

$100 purchase Includes:

  • One 15 gallon tree

  • Materials for planting (soil, mulch, stakes, tree guard)

  • Naturally replenishing moisture donut/ring

Invasive Tree Removal

City of Houston will remove invasive trees at no cost to the homeowner. WHCA will provide a native tree when one becomes available through donation. Select Invasive Tree Replacement at checkout and we will contact you.

Review the HPARD Invasive Plants list to see if you have any on your curbside.

2021 Curbside Tree Project

26 new trees ranging from live oaks, red buds, red maples, shumard oaks, loblolly pine to pecans were purchased from Trees for Houston. Some were placed on homeowners' property while some were donated. Donated trees were planted curbside on blocks which lacked shade plus some were donated to St. Mark's Methodist Church for planting along Redan.

Big shout out of gratitude and thanks to:

Emily Guyre who recruited four St. Thomas High School students: Jackson Guyre, Philip Gallagher, Landon Croker, and Pablo Ramirez. Ben McClure and Eric Nelson rounded out the team. This crew was incredibly hard working and fun despite the rain.

Thank you to those that donated trees on behalf of neighbors and to Nuro, whose donations sponsored trees along Redan at St. Mark's.

Last but certainly not least, we want to shout out a huge thank you to Ms. Saldana, principal of Hogg MS, for graciously allowing us to use their parking lot for drop off and staging of the trees, mulch and stakes! We appreciate it!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 922 Bayland /  by Lori Bigler

July Yard of the Month goes to 922 Bayland!  Marcy and Scott Pryor have so much WOW!! going on in their yard. Woodland Heights residents for seven years, they have taken advantage of almost every inch of the front to plant beautiful vignettes, beds and gorgeous planters. Flowering sky vines are being trained up steel cables around the porch and a new arbor is going in at the front sidewalk. Full disclosure: that adorable puppy is mine who had to put up with me taking photos for a few minutes!

Tip O’ The Trowel to Marcy and Scott!  Looks fantastic!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 604 Omar /  by Lori Bigler

Yard of the Month - Tip of the trowel for June goes to 604 Omar. This yard has recently gone through a transformation adding zoysia grass, beautiful potted arrangements and bright new flower beds. Homeowners, Lisa, Matt and their precious baby girl, Eloise now have a gorgeous landscape to look at while they are enjoying their front porch visiting with neighbors or playing in the front yard! Looks fantastic guys!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Curbside Tree Project with Trees for Houston /  by Lori Bigler

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The WHCA is pleased and excited to announce that we are bringing back the Curbside Tree Project for late April in partnership with Trees for Houston. Homeowners will be able to select a tree of their choice for their yards from a selection available in our webstore. The WHCA will coordinate tree ordering, delivery and planting! A menu of trees is forthcoming but we will have a selection such as Live Oak, Bald Cypress, Loblolly Pine, Pecan, Red Maple, Shumard Oak, Redbud, Water Oak, Cedar Elm and possibly more.

  • Trees will be 15 gallon, 6-8' tall with approx. 1 1/2" caliper.

  • Trees will be delivered by WHCA volunteers, and we will be organizing additional volunteers to assist with some of the tree planting.

  • Pre-payment will be required.

  • Tree purchasers will be responsible for watering and maintaining the tree(s). Donut rings which replenish naturally except in really dry weather will also be available for purchase.

  • The total cost to the homeowner for the tree, donut ring and materials (soil, mulch, stakes, tree guard) will be approximately $100.00.

  • If you know of anyone who wants to participate but cannot afford to do so, please let us know and the WHCA will work with them.

  • Please consider making a donation to help cover tree grants for neighbors.

We'd like to get an understanding of the level of interest in the Curbside Tree Project, so if this sounds like something you would participate in, please check out the survey from our email campaign:

Curbside Tree Project

Trees benefit the neighborhood in so many ways from shade, bird and animal habitat, improving air quality, flood protection, improving the value of your home and more! Many trees in Woodland Heights were planted as curbside trees in the 2000s. I have 2 gorgeous live oaks and one huge magnolia in my own yard that were part of the earlier Curbside Projects.

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Friends of Woodland Park Update /  by Lori Bigler

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Friends of Woodland Park would like to thank everyone who helped to clean up our park in November and December.  We had over 100 people participate, including local Heights Girl Scout troops 122195, 122229, 122202, 122036, 122333, 122007, 122251, 122285, 122286, 125076 and 25001.   Troop 122286 had the largest group with a total of 26 participants and won a cupcake party from Friends of Woodland Park.  We were also grateful to have a group from the Friends of PJ Library come and do a family cleanup in January.  We welcome any groups who are interested in helping us keep the park clean and maintained.  If you have any additional photos, please send to photos@friendsofwoodlandpark.org so that we can recognize you and your team. 

Upcoming events include:

March 20, 2021:  Monthly Bird Survey - Join a representative from the local Audubon Society on a bird walk. Meet at the community center (212 Parkview) at 7:30am. Long pants and closed toe shoes are advisable; please bring binoculars if you have them. No experience required. 

March 25-28, 2021: Trash Bash -Trash Bash® is the largest, single-day waterway cleanup in Texas, and we are excited to include Little White Oak Bayou in Woodland Park. Trash Bash® 2021 has been reimagined, but we hope you will join us to "Clean It Like You Mean It!"®. The event will include educational videos, small personal cleanups, and more. Go to http://www.trashbash.org/2021-trash-bashreg.html to learn more and sign up!

We are also interested in hearing from our younger birders and would love to post any bird or wildlife photos taken by any park visitors 18 and under.  We are happy to help identify any plants or wildlife you see in the park, and also recommend the iNaturalist app. Please send pictures to photos@friendsofwoodlandpark.org with your name and any questions you have.        

Did you know that Moody Park and Woodland Park are connected by trail?  On February 1st, the FWP board hiked from Woodland Park to Moody Park along banks of Little White Oak Bayou (LOWB), and then back through Hollywood Cemetery. This hike took several hours at a leisurely pace, with time for discussing some of the landmarks and concerns about the park.  We also observed multitudes of birds, including hawks, cormorants, woodpeckers, egrets, herons, and kingfishers to name a few.  FWP continues to lobby for a maintained trail connection between Woodland Park and Moody Park.  Connectivity and clean-up between our public green spaces is key to preservation, community feel, and public access.  A map of our journey is posted now on our Facebook page.

 If you have not checked out our kiosk in the park lately, you will find a list of the most recent birds spotted at the park, as well as a little history of the park.  You can also find the most recent bird list on the ebird app at https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1995953

Looking to stay up to date on Woodland Park?  Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfWoodlandPark/  or visit our website: https://www.friendsofwoodlandpark.org/  

If you have concerns about the park, please raise them on the City of Houston 311 or you can contact social@friendsofwoodlandpark.org .  The community center is managed by Julia Soto of the Houston Parks Department, and you can contact her at julia.soto@houstontx.gov .

-Friends of Woodland Park Board

Yard of the Month: 605 Omar /  by Lori Bigler

What a month this is for yard of the month! While most of the neighborhood hovers in a monotony of various shades of brown, the Guyres at 605 Omar were able to have color survive through snowmegeddon! A couple of these photos are pre-Uri but the cheerful pansies along the front fence made it through. The Guyres will have the rest of the yard whipped back into shape quickly as you can find the entire family doing yard work most weekends. The color on the porch in those handsome chairs is the adorable Guyre family. They are long-term residents of Woodland Heights and have been active in the neighborhood, especially with the Learn Local program at Hogg and community service.

-Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 501 Teetshorn /  by Lori Bigler

January Yard of the Month goes to 501 Teetshorn on the corner of Helen. The current homeowner purchased the property in 2017. A large southern magnolia anchors the front yard on the western edge. Seasonal beds line the front of the home and add a welcoming entrance to the home. Hog fencing surrounds the property dividing the front and side yard which has a cocktail pool plus more lush landscaping. Citrus and vegetable plants are mixed in the back area and along the driveway.

Tip of the trowel to this friendly neighbor and her two Irish Wolfhounds!

-Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 530 Omar /  by Lori Bigler

December yard of the month goes to 530 Omar!

Amy Morris and Kenny Kurtzman have a lovely, traditional holiday look working in their beautifully landscaped yard. This beautiful home is white, which makes the garlands and wreaths decorating it pop! At night, the house and grounds are lit up in warm white. In the winter, the gardens are layers of various greens punctuated by white roses and occasional color. Olive trees flank their western edge, shading the stone walkway that wraps around their expansive front porch, with roses on the fence wrapping the perimeter of the yardspace. A variety of plantings colorize and accessorize the yard including azaleas, foxtail ferns, fig ivy, gardenias, honeymoon roses, and magnolias. Congratulations!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 815 Merrill /  by Lori Bigler

November yard of the month goes to the fall festival that’s happening at 815 Merrill.  Joanna Queen and her husband, Daniel Dylla moved in 2 years ago with their two girls after doing a renovation to the original bungalow. The front porch is so inviting and is a welcome extra room during this social distancing time. It’s got swings and comfy furniture along with attractive details that encourage you to sit outside and relax, visit or have a cocktail.

Front beds are planted with sandy leaf fig ivy, walking irises, giant liriope and lysmachia. The birch tree is about 30 years old and they planted the maple when we moved in.   Joanna has the Front porch beautifully decorated with pumpkins and chrysanthemums right now.  A fun flock of decorative bats seem lifelike on the walls and in fact flitter off sometimes!

Tip of the trowel to this family for creating such a beautiful yard and outdoor space! Congratulations!

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: Parkette at Houston Ave & White Oak /  by Lori Bigler

October's Yard of the Month is an intersection which has undergone HUGE improvements in safety and appearance. The intersection of Houston Ave. and White Oak Drive now has a beautiful area thanks the the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ No. 5. Beautification of the area included new pavement, traffic signals, new bike and pedestrian features as well as landscaping all while providing better crossing conditions and connectivity to the bike trails and park. Even our old clock was refurbished and is a wonderful accent to this area. Greater Northside Management District is providing maintenance of the area. Many thanks to these groups for taking an interest in the southeast corner of our neighborhood and making it a beautiful space.

Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Yard of the Month: 529 Euclid /  by Lori Bigler

September YOM goes to Larry Hall and Louis Aquino at 529 Euclid.  They have a large number of plantings of various varieties.  Some native, some not, some fruit bearers, some flowering - you get the picture.  Larry and Louis are generous neighbors both in their gardening advice and sharing plants/cuttings.   One can usually find "babies" in pots along their sidewalk which they put out for others to take and enjoy.

Larry purchased this home in 2006, when it was clad in turquoise and yellow aluminum siding, and fenced in chain link.   Photos from the 1920's, show the bungalow painted the original white with no trees, bushes, garage or sidewalk.   It was designed by the same architect as 429 Euclid, which it resembles from the street. 

Louis is the "green thumb" behind all of the plants that have been added.  Crepe myrtles, Jerusalem Thorn and Hibiscus trees line the Northwood sidewalk.  There were grand oak trees in those locations in 2006.  There was a drainage ditch along Northwood in 2006, which was changed when major renovations to the storm drainage systems were completed several years ago. 

Except for the large red bougainvillea on the east side of the front yard, Louis has selected and grown most of the potpourri of plants we have.  Planted on the southwest side of the taller fence, is called the "Flaming Glory", or "Orange Pagoda Flower" .  Other plants that have been added include raspberry, white and purple bougainvillea, Esperanza, red and green Coleus, Lantana, "Fire-cracker" bush, Hyacinths, Cuban Gold, Creeping Fig, various ferns and tulips, and miscellaneous bits of color here and there.  Larry and Louis didn't start out with any kind of plan - they just bought what they liked as they went along.  Lots of potted plants and trees are in the backyard including fruit trees and an avocado tree.

More plantings are coming to accent their new front yard fence.  Louis keeps a large bowl out front for neighborhood dogs as well as lots of bird seed.

 

 

Yard-of-the-Month: 2803 Julian /  by Lori Bigler

Brandon and Kelly Jacob bought the house next door in 1996 and became the third owners of a darling bungalow on a large corner lot.  A  second story addition in  2016 greatly expanded the home and oriented views to the side yard with designs to build a swimming pool.  Instead of a pool, they opted to create several outdoor areas: one with a fireplace, a large pot garden flanked by a fountain,  a separate seating area with swings and a fire pit, and the Piece de Resistance is their Treedeck Oasis with its bright yellow chairs!   
 
While the front yard is planted with many heat tolerants like salvia, Little John bottlebrushes, loropetalum, creeping yews, rosemary and more, their attractive stoop is flanked by pots of succulents which makes it all very inviting.
 
With the heat and social distancing in place, Kelly and Brandon have managed to have a ideal place outside to meet friends, admire the beauty they have created and enjoy the outdoors.  Kudos and a Tip of the Trowel to you!

- Allison Hartzell, Dir of Beautification

Yard-of-the-Month: 607 Gladys /  by Lori Bigler

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July YOTM just yells for red, white and blue decor! 607 Gladys fits that bill. Jayne and Pat who are long time residents and tireless volunteers for the neighborhood have a bounty of color along with July 4 whirligigs.  Their crepe myrtles, dianthuses, and hibiscus really pop out of the lush greenery in their front yard.  Due to COVID distancing, they were not interviewed for this article.
 
If you have a nomination or suggestion for YOM, please email beautification@woodland-heights.org.

- Allison Hartzell, Dir of Beautification

Beware the Gardening Fairies! /  by Lori Bigler

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We have gardening fairies who volunteer their time to weed, water, plant and generally maintain the Watson esplanade that you see as you enter the neighborhood from the south.  These neighbors toil away so please tell them thank you if you see them out and about.

WE THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOOD LOOKING GOOD!

  • Pat Schaper

  • Pat Rutledge

  • Dan Rueda

  • Nicole Wyman

  • Louise Moss

Also, please give them a wide berth if you see their orange cones out at the esplanade while they are working.  Looks great ya'll!!

Yard-of-the-Month: 528 Highland /  by Lori Bigler

Are you feeling down in the dumps with everything appearing lackluster?  Stroll by 528 Highland at the corner of Northwood for some cheer and vibrancy!  Shannie and Doug Sharp toil away to make their yard a colorful and entertaining oasis. An assortment of bright flowers along with attractive touches like decorative and vintage pots anchor the yard which attracts loads of butterflies and hummingbirds.

Shannie has an antique bench anchoring the corner succulent garden. An old iron spoked wheel sections off her herbs. Beautiful planters on the front steps welcome you to their comfortable porch. Something is always blooming! You can really see Shannie's artistic talent shine through when she decorates her windows and front porch with festive handmade artwork and banners. Accents of yellow and turquoise really brighten things up along with the yellow poodle standing guard next to the front door.  This lovely package is wrapped up in a fence full of Peggy Martin roses!  

The home quarantine has benefited those of us who like to stroll past the house because all the extra time has kept these two owners working more in their beautification efforts!  Kudos to you Sharps!

- Allison Hartzell, Dir of Beautification

Yard-of-the-Month: 3405 Northwood /  by Lori Bigler

As Beautification Director, I have been fortunate to meet many lovely people in our neighborhood these last two years. It's been exciting to knock on doors, never knowing who I might meet, and always having unexpected and delightful conversations. Each was a little different, but one theme was a constant: our neighbors' gardens give them peace and joy. Our neighbors love their piece of earth and love learning how to tend it so it gives back. It's been fulfilling to tell these neighbors that their care for their gardens brings peace and joy to their community too. We are all so lucky to call them neighbors.

This month is no different! My final pick for Yard of the Month before our next Director takes the seat goes to Caroline and Roy Johnston at 3405 Northwood. Their yard was originally nominated by an admiring neighbor a couple months ago and I'm so happy it was! It's a small space that I had (regrettably) overlooked, but then the more I saw, the more I loved it!

Talking with Roy about all he did to bring it to life was inspiring. The space looks challenging: part along a hot afternoon driveway, part in shade along the front, and area measured in small feet and inches. But as we are out for our walks or bike rides with our families lately, stop and take your time here. It's a sweet spot in the Woodland Heights. Their yard shows us you don't need a lot of space to do beautiful things!

In these times when it's difficult to meet new people, I've decided to leave Roy's write up in his own voice - it's just right and personal, and easier to feel more connected with these kind neighbors. Thank you Roy and Caroline for sharing your yard with our neighborhood!

Stephanie Riceman, Dir of Beautification

We bought our home in 2014 and started on the yard in February 2015. We began by removing the poor existing soil (lots of construction sand), using river rock to separate the beds from the house siding, and building a new stone wall outside to replace the wooden one which had collapsed. I also installed drainage and sprinklers. I'm proud to say that I did all the work myself with help too from Caroline and our kids. My first time building a stone wall or laying out a garden!

We had help from Buchanan's to draw up a landscape plan and advise on plant selection. We wanted southern staples in the landscaping, color throughout the year, and different shades of green. We also did the planting and mulching ourselves. Our layout has changed quite a bit since then as we've moved plants where they have struggled and looked to create more interest with varying heights and size.

Our recent projects have been installing decomposed granite & rock border in our courtyard garden and planting a vegetable and herb garden. I am also working to replace the pet mesh on the fence with lower pet bars. I think that will really complete the texture and visual interest by letting the plants flow more naturally through the fence. A fun current experiment is letting one area fallow and seeing what naturally pops up - I'm calling this our wildflower garden experiment!

As I've learned more about gardening, I am increasingly drawn to low maintenance (and cost), with a focus on hardy (frost and heat tolerant) perennials. We are also switching to more indigenous staples and have introduced some butterfly and bird friendly plants. I find learning about what works in a specific spot to be an enjoyable part of the process. I've also enjoyed learning how to build the other structural pieces of the garden (a shed, the raised beds, the borders, the irrigation, and the vegetable boxes).

Some of my personal highlights are the multiple monarchs drawn to our three milkweed plants (thank you Travis!), the many lizards hiding everywhere, our shrimp-plants and jasmine on the fence (the color and aroma), and the thriving hybrid-tea roses which we added two years ago. I have an ivy vine which was a houseplant gift from my mom and cuttings from it have grown in each home we've lived. We are also looking forward to growing tomatoes, basil, and jalapeno from the St. Mark's garden this year.

I personally love the beauty and peace which the garden brings, how we enjoy it throughout the year, and how the kids find many creatures - even in this little space. It also connects me back to my family (and my wife's family) and the gardens they have nurtured over the years.

Here are some of the plants we have:

Vegetable garden:

  • Mint

  • Tomatoes

  • Jalapeño

  • Basil

  • Chives

  • Star anise

  • Parsley

  • Thyme

  • Gladiola (for cut flowers and color)

Front stone bed:

  • White Knight

  • Milkweed

  • Ligularia

  • Fire cracker fern

  • Camellia (shi shi)

  • Variegated dianella

  • Wood violets (ground cover)

  • Ajuga (caitlin's giant - ground cover)

Side beds by front door:

  • Gardenia

  • Hybrid tea roses

  • Mexican sedum

  • Camellia (japonica kramer supreme)

  • Azalaea - George Tabor

  • Abelea - Kaleidoscope

Inside fence:

  • Giant iris

  • Star Jasmine

  • Giant Liriope

  • English ivy in the hanging basket

Thanks again for the honor and the joy of sharing our project with you!

- Roy

Yard-of-the-Month: 3014 Norhill /  by Lori Bigler

After 18 years at 3014 Norhill St, Tiffany Tyler and Charles Kuffner have found that balance in their yard: the soil is rich, the birds and pollinators are happy, the squirrels play, the children grow, it is both relaxing and fun for their family to tuck into the garden work, and it is beautiful!

The yard has taken shape through some trial and error, and some help from friends and neighbors. Stories abound in their yard with neighborhood and historical ties. The monkey grass forming a border along the north beds have been there since they moved in. The Texas maiden hair fern was passed along to them from a friend on Bayland when they moved in as well. The soil itself is enriched from a compost begun before they moved there, wheelbarrowed from three blocks away. The red firespike salvaged from a home in Norhill before it was torn down. And of course the bluebonnets, tended and prodded and now finally blooming at the southwest corner. My favorite is the fig ivy covering the low brick border along Woodland, which also celebrates 18 years with them here.

There is a lot of color to see as we come into blooming season: day lilies, pentas, many varieties of coleus (another of my favorites), purple salvia, columbine, ice plant, Texas gold lantana, purple sage, the native butterfly-attracting purple porterweed, edible nasturtium, foxtail fern, pineapple hamelia, Dutchman's pipe, echinaceas, native milkweeds, tiny volunteer violas, and a yellow globe ground cover. Adorning the porch and deck are a variety of zinnias and geraniums. 

Over all of it towers their mature water oak to the west, giving them relief from the heat of the afternoon sun, and drummond red maples to the north. In spite of the shade, their satsuma and Meyer lemon trees are blooming with promise this year!

What's the secret to having such a nice yard? The Houston Museum of Natural Science plant sale gives her a lot to work with, as well as local favorite Buchanan's. And Tiffany has been inspired by the community of organic farmers and veggie enthusiasts at Central City Co-op, where she has been involved for many years in its development. The soil was in poor condition when they moved in, so regular household compost has helped nurture and feed the roots. Tiffany wants to feel relaxed and have fun gardening so that is rewarding in itself, and she doesn't worry over the weeds much - if pollinators enjoy them then they have a place at this corner too. Not to be overlooked is the abundance of yard art tucked all about the gardens, most of it gifted to her, or acquired from local artists or on trips, all quietly at home here.

Yard of the Month: 1116 Euclid St /  by Lori Bigler

Jeanette and Dannie Davis have been making things bloom in the Heights nearly all their lives. Jeanette grew up only a couple blocks away, and they are the second family in their home at 1116 Euclid. When they moved to their forever-home in 1976, they were the young ones on the block; now they nurture the neighborhood through all the changes.

Their massive water oak is center stage, and was planted the year their first child was born, more than 35 years ago. Seeing it now, their home looks tiny under its mighty limbs. Their second child was, and is, all about the out-of-doors, and was taking care of their yard and neighbors' yards beginning in elementary school. By high school it was a full job. Today he still keeps his parents' yard beautiful, plus many more in the Heights, and throughout Houston, with White Oak Groundskeeping. He takes after his dad who is always out tidying up neighbors' yards and clearing storm drains. 

Edging into spring, the Davises' yard is alive with hydrangeas, Boston ferns, begonias, cyclamens, and ivy.

Their seasonal yard changes with every holiday, so while these pictures reflect February love, by the time this prints it will surely be lucky green.

Yard-of-the-Month: 3515 Oak Ridge /  by Lori Bigler

Alyssa and Jeremy Holub have done a spectacular job of incorporating their home with yard, making it a place to play and relax too. Working in architecture and a hobbyist woodworker, Jeremy has made their porch whimsical with details to showcase their plantings and salvaged and repurposed art.

The first eye-catching planting is their soft white dusty miller, looking glorious in our snowless climate. It is thriving and beautiful through the winter. Small lamb's ears counter on the other side of their swooshing and colorful steps. More include hydrangeas, foxtail fern, succulents, lilies, gardenia, white-blooming Katie Ruellia, and salvia for the bees. Color abounds with little orange bell flowers in cigar plants, snapdragons, and russelia (firecracker).

And a treat for the nose too! Society garlic at the steps and a rangoon creeper, which flavors their air of fruit punch all summer, guarded by Wallace the Lion, lofts over their trellised gate with a special feature for their pup - see if you can find her in the pictures!

Along the south side of their house and taking advantage of the little strip of land between driveway and home is a small transitioning garden with a hardy artichoke plant which gives generously. If you can keep from eating them, the bloom is amazing!

Giving them gentle shade through the summer are two tall cinnamon bark crepe myrtles, plus a little citrus tree.

All beautiful! Thanks for sharing your yard with our neighborhood!

- Stephanie Riceman, Dir of Beautification