Beautification

Wildflower Planting Sowing Seeds for Spring /  by Ryan Taylor

Last year, the WHCA adopted the Houston Avenue Esplanades near Main Street from the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. We had an idea, that instead of simply maintaining the esplanade by mowing it, which we're happy to say our new landscaping crew is doing a great job of that since this fall, back to our idea. We thought we'd plant the first esplanade in wildflowers so in the spring they would create a great entrance to our neighborhood.

We had a good show of blooms on that esplanade for a first years planting. However, we know it could be better and we're well aware that it takes a little while, good rain, and persistence to create a beautiful wildflower display and we're working on that. 

So to keep up with the persistence part (and hoping for rain this winter into spring) WHCA Beautification Director Ryan Taylor with the help of Boy Scout Troop 30 will be out seeding the esplanade with wildflowers on November 15th. Wildflowers like to be seeded in the fall for a spring bloom. 

If you see them on the esplanade, first slow down and keep them safe, and then honk your horn to say THANK YOU to everyone that's out planting seeds for the spring. 

If you want to know more about the wildflower planting and how you can support the effort and other beautification efforts across our neighborhood, email beautification@woodland-heights.org. Ryan would love to hear from you! 

If you want to learn more about planting wildflowers in your own yard here's a great article from .... for you from Texas A&M Agrilife Today 

Yard of the Month: 601 Woodland Street /  by Ryan Taylor

Stacie Cokinos and Pam Radford enjoy the ‘sip and stroll’ garden paths surrounding their home at 601 Woodland. Purchased in 2016, the home underwent a yearlong renovation before they move in in 2017.

“The original house was so overgrown, it was difficult to see the house through the growth!’ Stacie commented, “ I love the layout and the little paths. We call it a “sip and stroll”, for its fun to explore the small garden paths sipping coffee or wine, depending on the time of day. Our front yard is small, and from the picket fence to the house there is no grass, it’s all garden beds. The paths give the small yard a purpose.”

The garden is filled with Angel trumpet, periwinkle, pentas, milkweed, camilla, azalea, salvia, Mexican heather, juniper, agapanthus, foxtail fern, and amaryllis purchased at nearby garden centers Joshua’s, Another Place in Time, Houston Garden Center, and Buchanan's. Peggy Martin, Belinda’s Dream, and Cinco de Mayo roses round out the display of blooms to be found along the paths.

“I have fond memories gardening with my grandparents, and I find “working the earth” to be restorative and grounding,” Staci continues. “Along the pathways you’ll find 6 decorative encaustic tiles from my great grandmother’s house that are part of the stone pathway.”

Amongst the native plants … ‘‘My surprising stars are the juniper bushes, from Uri through the heat dome, they are a constant source of vivid green and structure. Periwinkles are the summer hit.”
 
Staci chooses easy to maintain colorful and heat tolerant plants for her garden, “I used to have lantana, which did provide pretty pink and yellow color, but they grew so big it was a chore to keep them tame."
 
Her garden choices attract butterflies, bees and birds which Staci enjoys seeing through her office window overlooking the surrounding garden. As with many gardeners, her least favorite part of gardening is the weeding.

“I love watching things grow and bloom, except for the weeds. Spring and fall, I spend 2-4 hours in the garden (more if I can manage!) But summer, maybe 15-30 minutes weekly.”

Her favorite plant helps her connect with her neighbors.

“My angel trumpet! It blooms profusely summer and fall, and is a fun conversation starter with neighbors passing by."
 
When asked how it feels to be selected as yard of the month, Staci responded,  

“I am thrilled! There are many beautiful yards in the neighborhood and is exciting to be called out. I like the community aspect of working in the yard, enjoying sweet conversations and greetings with neighbors and their dogs passing by.”

WHCA/Boy Scout Troop 30 Flag Program Update /  by Estella Espinosa

Holiday Flag Program - Round One

The WHCA Boy Scout Troop 30 Flag Program kicked off this past Labor Day, thanks to all our first-round subscribers! Great work by Boy Scout Troop 30 on their inaugural first run! Well done and many thanks from the WHCA!

You can help support the Boy Scouts' efforts by signing up to be a subscriber to the Boy Scout Holiday Flag Program. The next Holiday, Flag Day, on the schedule will be in commemoration of Veterans Day.

 Armistice Day / Veterans Day History

In 1919, President Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day to commemorate the end of fighting on the Western Front of 'The Great War' (World War I, 1914 - 1918). During his address he stated, "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

The date, time, and hour are central to the date chosen for this recognition, as it commemorates the time when hostilities finally ceased, the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month," 7 months after the Treaty of Versailles was signed.

It was renamed Veterans Day by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1954 and is now dedicated to service members of all wars.

You can find more information on Veterans Day at the following links:

HOLIDAY FLAG PROGRAM DATES
Don't miss this opportunity to support Troop 30 and WHCA. Subscribe today.

  • Veteran’s Day – November 11, 2025

  • President’s Day – February 16, 2026

  • Memorial Day – May 25, 2026

  • Flag Day – June 14, 2026

  • Independence Day – July 4, 2026

  • Labor Day – September 7, 2026

We deeply appreciate your support for Boy Scout Troop 30 and the WHCA. Your contribution makes a significant difference in our community. To subscribe and for payment information, visit www.woodland-heights.org or click on the button below and subscribe today!

For more information on Boy Scout Troop 30 or 3TO visit their website. 

WHCA Boy Scout Troop 30 Flag Program

What Does It Mean! /  by Michael Graves

Florence Street Trees Tagged with Orange Dot

Alison Hartzell is a long-time neighbor and former WHCA board member emailed asking if we might know why the trees along Florence Street, on the west side of Travis Elementary, were marked with a single dot of spray paint. She noted that the trees otherwise appear to be healthy.

Leveraging her deep connections to the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Estella Espinosa (WHCA, Director of Communications) forwarded the question to the department's City Forester. The Urban Forestry Division responded quickly, saying that the dot meant the trees were due to be trimmed. Nothing more.
 
The canopy provided by mature trees is a tremendous asset to the city. WHCA has a long history of advocating for the trees in the neighborhood. If you see something suspect being done to trees please report it to 311.  If you think the matter is urgent call HPARD directly at (832) 395-7100

Yard of the Month /  by Ryan Taylor

608 Euclid - Tom and Sue Ella Allen
By Ryan Taylor

Tom and Sue Ella Allen have lived in Houston for 33 years, except for a few years in South Carolina and 10  years in southwest Houston; most of those years have been here in the Woodland Heights.

"We had our pick of all the areas in and around Houston. The Woodland Heights turned out to be a great fit for us, " Sue Ella commented. "No green thumbs at our house. Tom's grandmother was an avid gardener, but that did not rub off on him. We hope to keep all the new plants alive despite ourselves."

Though they appreciate their yard being selected for Yard of the Month, they are quick to credit their landscaper with their success.

"It is great to be recognized for keeping our community looking good and contributing to the survival of the bee and butterfly population. However, most of the hard work was provided by Laura Neff of the Rice Organization, Inc. and her crews. They provided the final design, sourced the plants and materials, and converted our lawn sprinkler system to a drip irrigation system," Sue Ella continued.

Tom and Sue Ella Allen have lived in Houston for 33 years, except for a few years in South Carolina and 10  years in southwest Houston; most of those years have been here in the Woodland Heights.

"We had our pick of all the areas in and around Houston. The Woodland Heights turned out to be a great fit for us, " Sue Ella commented. "No green thumbs at our house. Tom's grandmother was an avid gardener, but that did not rub off on him. We hope to keep all the new plants alive despite ourselves."

Though they appreciate their yard being selected for Yard of the Month, they are quick to credit their landscaper with their success.

"It is great to be recognized for keeping our community looking good and contributing to the survival of the bee and butterfly population. However, most of the hard work was provided by Laura Neff of the Rice Organization, Inc. and her crews. They provided the final design, sourced the plants and materials, and converted our lawn sprinkler system to a drip irrigation system," Sue Ella continued.

Through the process of working with a landscaper, the Allens have learned there are benefits to landscaping with native plants. Relying on Buchanan's for potted annuals, they fill their gardens with native plants, including

"Texas native or Texas hardy Guara, Salvia, Purple Cone Flower, Horseherb, Ajuga, Oxalis, Turkscap, Texas Sedge, Ligularia, Holly Fern, Carex Grass, Creeping Jenny, Dwarf Mondo Grass in the front yard. Rudbekia Gloriosa Daisy, Old Fashioned Penta, Salvia, Star Jasmine, and Dwarf Yaupon Holly in the side yard."

When choosing plants for their yard, the Allens choose low-maintenance perennials with a compatible hardscape of gray flagstone paths with either Black Star Gravel or Dwarf Mondo Grass to fill the spaces. But their favorites are the Azaleas, which they planted shortly after they moved in. 

After living in Houston for 33 years, they've learned to keep Houston ever changing weather in mind with its potential for hot, cold, and humid conditions that affect how gardens grow - , they offer the following suggestions,

"The best bet is to stay with natives. Also, plant with sun and shade requirements in mind."

The side yard behind the fence east of our house. It is our outdoor cooking and living area with a deck, a small lawn area, and a variety of annual potted plants, including our old claw-foot tub full of Asparagus Fern. Their yard and its native plantings attract a variety of critters who enjoy the green environment they've created including bees, butterflies, squirrels, and a variety of birds. 

As with most gardeners we've featured in our monthly Yard of the Month feature, their least favorite part of gardening is pulling weeds.

'"We spend about one hour a week to dead head flowers and pull weeds." and their favorite part of gardening is, "...planting the new spring annuals."

In spite of their love for annuals, they've opted to go for year-round green in their favorite part of their yard, "It's our outdoor cooking and living area with a deck, a small lawn area, and a variety of annual potted plants, including our old claw-foot tub full of Asparagus Fern. Despite all the new plantings in the front yard, our lawn in the side yard is synthetic turf. We can keep it green all year round."

WHCA/Boy Scout Troop 30 Flag Program /  by Ryan Taylor

The WHCA Boy Scout Troop 30 Flag Program is up and running! The inaugural round of Holiday Flags have been placed by Boy Scout Troop 30 at subscriber homes. If you placed an order and your flag did not go up last week....please note that it will be up for Veterans Day. We had a slight delay in getting all the orders in by the deadline for the installation of the sleeves as some houses, your subscription will begin in November with Veterans Day. We thank you for your understanding.

Since the program began, 45 neighbors have signed up for the Holiday Flag Program, to support both Boy Scout Troop 30 and the WHCA's Beautification section.

Troop 30 was founded on February 14, 1925, and is one of the oldest continuously active troops in the Sam Houston Area Council. They are located at  St. Mark's United Methodist Church right here in Woodland Heights.

Cy Maresh, Fundraising Chair for Troop 30, recently underscored the important fundraising role this new program plays for our neighborhood Boy Scouts."The WHCA Boy Scout Troop 30 Flag Program is not just a subscription, it's a commitment to our community. It will help subsidize monthly outings, scholarships for leadership training, and camping scholarships for families with limited means, making a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbors.

Your $120 yearly subscription is not just a contribution, but a vital part of Troop 30's journey towards meeting its scouting goals, and at the same time, supporting WHCA. Your support is what makes this program possible.

Don't miss this opportunity to support Troop 30 and WHCA. Subscribe today and let the flags fly high in our neighborhood!

HOLIDAYS

  • President’s Day

  • Memorial Day

  • Flag Day

  • Independence Day

  • Labor Day

  • Veteran’s Day

We deeply appreciate your support for Boy Scout Troop 30 and the WHCA. Your contribution makes a significant difference in our community. To subscribe and for payment information, visit www.woodland-heights.org or click on the button below and subscribe today!

For more information on Boy Scout Troop 30 or 3TO visit their website. 

WHCA Boy Scout Troop 30 Flag Program

Yard of the Month: 802 Woodland - Henri and Janet Tallichet /  by Ryan Taylor

By Ryan Taylor

Henri and Janet Tallichet, have lived in their bungalow on Woodland Street for 17 years.

"We moved from Memorial and being home builder and landscaper, we had a lot of fun with the revival of the place," Janet told us as we interviewed her regarding her home and its garden.  

She credits her green thumb and love for landscaping to her grandmother and mother. And her choice of profession to a realization that adding machines and offices did not suit her.

"As a kid my thumbs were always in the dirt but not planting. I watched my maternal grandmother garden at their ranch home in East Texas and my mother in her Houston gardens which surely saved her sanity with 4 kids. I initially chose to be a CPA but really hated it.I did not thrive with the 10 key and closed spaces so I decided to literally dig in everybody’s dirt! My best idea was to take the Master Gardeners class at the Harris County Agricultural Service Offices and I recommend it to any aspiring gardener."

Her garden is filled with natives that combine her landscapers knowledge of both natives and plantings that enjoy Houston's climate.

"Of course all of my plants are native to somewhere.The original plantings were acquired from Treesearch Farms, a nursery that deals in native plants.In general, the foundation plants are either native or of a very similar climate. Many Chinese plants love Houston and my happiest plants are the Chinese Fringe trees in the north west front and at the Watson midpoint. I don’t recommend them to someone who wants a tidy, polite yard though."

Janet's favorite gardening stores include resources she's become familiar with as from her work, 

"I have been a professional landscaper for years and worked to keep in the good graces of my favorite suppliers.My main go- to is Wholesale Gardens in Bellaire but my true love is Treesearch Farms."

When viewing her yard you'll find Peggy Martin Rose trellising the iron fence along the Watson side. Bedding plants include salvia faranaciea and some roudy interlopers who have found their way in making themselves at home along with some "out of control pink & white flowers" Vincas who were grown from seed.

Her garden provides a great home for garden dwellers both of the flying and crawling variety ...

" Everything in my yard is alive. Even, sometimes, Ol’ Rosco. My recommendation is to shop reputable nurseries, who are willing to answer questions, and really know what there doing.Another option is to study books that are written with Native, Southeast Texas and our Humidity in mind. Anything goes (almost)."

Like so many gardeners ... the choice of what goes into Janet's garden is simply a matter of taste,

"I see it, I want it and then hopefully have a place for it." 

As with most gardeners, there's always the pleasure of getting into the garden and working to create something that you love.

"Like a good mother, I have no favorites, every part gets my special attention and makes me happy."

She does make an exception for one well known Houston favorite,

"A giant old oak!"

Like most gardeners, Janet has favorite and not so favorite parts when it comes to gardening. 

"Most favorite is just being in the dirt...Worst is mosquitoes and Roscoe’s pungent little gifts."

Regarding being this month's Yard of the Month, Janet responded,

"It's Fun!I I love to share.

This is Gonna Be Treemendous! /  by Michael Graves

WHCA at Work Amongst the Trees

This is another in a series detailing some of the largely unseen things that WHCA does for the neighborhood. This time we’ll consider the case of the trees on the Norhill Esplanade. It’s been noted that they are in need of trimming. WHCA has officially adopted the Norhill Esplanade, which means we’re responsible for its maintenance. The fact that we’re well into hurricane season gives some people a sense of urgency about this.

You’d think this a simple matter. Call a contractor. Get it done! Ryan Taylor, WHCA Director of Beautification, takes charge of the matter, getting a quote from an arborist. Alas, that quote comes in at around the price of a good used car!

At this point it’s good remind you that the WHCA is a Civic Association. Not a Homeowners Association. Membership in a civic association is voluntary, and the membership dues are small, just $20-50/household/year. In contrast, membership in an HOA is mandatory and their fees are significant, often more than $1k/household/year. The natural consequence of this is that WHCA simply cannot afford to spend $20k+ on trimming trees. We must find another way.

While not well-resourced, we are resourceful. We reach out to the office of the city forester at the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. They are charged with supporting the trees across the entire city. They routine engage contractors to trim trees. Ryan, Stella & I meet with one of the forestry staff on the esplanade to survey the situation.

He agrees that it needs to be done. They will put the Norhill Esplanade in their queue. We also agree upon the nature of the work, to ensure that the trees are appropriately trimmed. On this basis, HPARD will, at some point in the future, have a contractor trim the trees.

But wait! We’re not done yet! There are two CenterPoint power lines that traverse the Norhill Esplanade. By law, HPARD staff or contractors cannot trim near power lines. So naturally, we reach out to CenterPoint. A flurry of emails ensue.

Tim Yurick, Manager of Vegetation Management, reaches out to Onyekachi Ejim, Senior Forester, who advises that “…4 spans of tree trimming needed for this location. We will address as soon as we have a work order available.”

At this point, we’ve done all we can. We wait.

To their credit, CenterPoint acted swiftly. They had Trees, Inc do the work only a week of two following this initial engagement. We’re still waiting and hoping for HPARD to take care of the rest.

PS – Thanks to neighbor and former WHCA board member Stacey Kmetz, who works at CenterPoint, for connecting us with the right people at the company.

Yard of the Month - 802 Bayland /  by Ryan Taylor

Jackie Perry has lived in her home on the corner of Bayland and Watson for 8-plus years.

"I grew up with a family of gardeners-mostly vegetables. My deceased grandmother  is laughing in heaven since I detested garden maintenance as a kid."

While her degree is in business, her love of gardening and possibly the influence of her family's vegetable gardens led her to take many horticulture classes while pursuing her degree.

"I took 50-60 credit hours of horticulture classes at the University of Delaware. I learned a LOT! Being there expanded my plant palette immensely."

When asked what her inspiration is for choosing what to grow in her yard, Jackie said, "If it grows in the shade, I will look at it, and then what I choose is personal taste."

For a shady garden, Jackie suggests, “I love coleus for my abundant shade.  So much hybridization has gone on for years. They are colorful, ornamental, and tough!”

Her front yard, which sits in deep shade, holds a colorful mix of coleus and caladiums who find the shade a great place to grow under in our Houston sunny climate.

Joshua’s Native Plants on 18th Street is a local nursery she visits and buys from regularly, “I love Joshua’s.  He is a fountain of knowledge, and he has specimen plants.”

Taking a walk through her garden, you’ll find several native plants growing and providing a friendly environment for various flying, crawling, or buzzing pollinators and  … including anoles, chameleons, toads, butterflies, moths, all sorts of birds. 

Some plants you’re likely to find in her garden include Rivina humilis (pigeon berry), Myrica cerifera ( bayberry), Dryopteris ludoviciana ( Southern wood fern), Salvia lyrata (lyre leaf sage), Hibiscus coccineus (Texas star hibiscus), Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), Aquilegia chrysantha (Texas yellow columbine), Datura wrightii (Angel trumpet), Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower), Ruellia, Spigelia marilandica (Indian pink), Sephora secundiflora (Texas mountain laurel), Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry), Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jasmine), Osmunda cinnamonea (cinnamon fern), Onoclea sensibilis (sensitive fern). But her favorites are gardenias.

It takes a bit of time to tend such a beautiful garden; Jackie says that this time of year, during the growing season, it can take about 15 hours a week to keep up with her plants.

When asked about her favorite part of the garden, she responded, “My favorite is creating colorful, cohesive beds in the shade (a challenge).  My least favorite is cleaning up the constant mess created by the 5 live oaks.”

Her reaction to having her yard recognized as Yard of the Month, Jackie says she’s “Proud of my creation and of its recognition.”

Yard of the Month - 719 Bayland /  by Ryan Taylor

Patricia Schaeper has lived in her Bayland Bungalow surrounded by gardens for the last 25 years. Originally from Canada, she was unable to bring any hand-me-down plants with her; however, she did bring her green thumb and Master Gardener Certification.

Her favorite plant stores, Another Place in Time (where she volunteers and the owner is a friend) and Treesearch Farms, have both helped her fill her flower beds with plants she likes. Native plants you'll find in her gardens include Greggi blue mist, wood ferns, and milkweed. Other plants include Peggy Martin roses, Salvias, Carnations of India, Pavonia, Shrimp plants, Camellias, Philadelphias, Cleome, Clivia, Firebush, Meyer lemons, Gardenias, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, and Mallow. For cold-weather plants, she likes tulips, daffodils, peonies, and hydrangeas.

The combination of plants she has in her garden provides an oasis for hummingbirds, woodpeckers, birds, and squirrels.

When asked about the amount of time she devotes to her yard and garden, she says,

"Probably an hour, sometimes more, but who's counting?"

Yard of the Month - 915 Omar /  by Ryan Taylor

Kristen Bannister and Gareth Jones

Kirsten Taylor, Gareth Jones, and their son Arran have lived at 915 Omar for 14 years.

“When the house was built in 2010, we had St. Augustine grass edge to edge. We ripped much of it out and have been experimenting with a wide variety of plants and trees ever since…”

Today, their garden includes many native plants, including Eastern Purple Coneflower, multiple varieties of Black-eye Susans, Autumn Sage, Fall Aster, Esperanza, Bluebonnet, Rockrose, Coreopsis, Indian Blanket, Mealy Sage, and Milkweeds.

“Wildflowers are my favorite plant – they show up throughout the year on their own schedule and location and pleasantly surprise us with incredible colors…bluebonnets, blanket flowers, salvias.  My new discovery plant is the almond verbena – it smells magical, loves full sun, and brings in a huge crowd of bees.”

Kristen continues, “I love being outside.  I’m a geologist, but I have an office job…so maybe that’s how I discovered gardening. My favorite part of gardening is seeing new plants pop up. My least favorite part of gardening is seeing the damage from a hard freeze and waiting for signs of life to signal that all will be okay again. I have some poppies that came from my grandmother. My mom sends me seeds every year, and I believe many of those came from her mom – calendula, poppies, phlox of sheep, sunflowers.”

While they both have a few favorite spots in their garden, they especially like the small flagstone patio in the backyard with its bubble fountain surrounded by different plants and the surprising results of their front garden.

As with many gardeners in our neighborhood, Kristen enjoys having Buchanan’s and Joshua’s close by. But her gardening inspiration comes from “all of you who put time and energy into your yards—so many of my plant choices came from visually exploring the gardens of this neighborhood. Some of you have even brought me extra plants or seeds from your yard, and I enjoy hoping I can make you smile by watching your plants grow in my yard.

“It’s how I wind down after a long work week – I can easily spend 3-4 hours at a time and not even realize it. I’ve learned through making many mistakes – and forgiving plants – and friends and family offering advice (and praise) and even sharing plants with me. My grandmother was a prolific gardener.  She could grow anything and had a bright green thumb – perhaps she shared a bit of her talent with me.”

Another advantage of native plants in such a beautiful garden, “We are frequently visited by monarchs, Gulf fritillaries, and black swallowtails. We have lots of bees and ladybugs. Birds frequent the water fountain in the backyard, and in winter, we put out suet seed rolls for them.”

And in terms of Houston’s extreme weather and gardening, “Generally, most of what you’ll find seems to survive, even if above ground completely dies back. For things that survive with minimum maintenance, I’d suggest any of the plants you’ll find in the front by the street.”

As for being recognized as April's Yard of the Month, Kristen says, “This neighborhood is brimming with outstanding gardeners.  It feels amazing to be recognized – thank you!”

In Answer to Your Questions /  by Woodland Heights Civic Association

We have a few updates to pass on to questions we've received from neighbors. They are regarding a water leak near the Norhill Esplanade, the repair of the sign and retaining wall at the corner of greenspace at Houston Avenue and White Oak Drive, and the status of repairs to the bollards and large rocks at the entrance to our neighborhood at the corner of Watson and Usener Streets. Also, you might see new signage around the neighborhood courtesy of Harris County Constable  Alan Rosen, Precinct 1 office.

The Water Leak near the Norhill Esplanade

originally identified and reported on  February 20, 2025, was fixed on March 19, 2025. We understand that many, including the WHCA Board, would have liked this to have been addressed at a more rapid pace, but we have received information indicating that the repair was basically triaged in terms of the many other repairs throughout the city that were more serious. In the end, the City of Houston Public Works did make the repair, and we are all thankful.

The Retaining Wall Repair at Houston Avenue and White Oak Drive

We still have not received an update from the Greater Northside Management District (GNMD) regarding when they will begin repairing the signage at the parkette at White Oak and Houston Avenue. We will continue to reach out to the GNMD until we receive a timeline for this repair. Again, thank you for your patience.

The Watson Street Esplanade

The damage caused by the February 13 two-car collision to the Watson Street Esplanade bollards and boulders has been fixed. Many thanks to Ryan Taylor, WHCA Director of Beautification, and his volunteers for addressing the damage and working to repair it. The esplanade looks beautiful with its new coat of paint and brand-new larger than ever boulder. As always, the Beautification Team is looking for more volunteers to help beautify the greenspaces across our neighborhood. They'd love to hear from you and welcome you into their ranks; email beautification@woodland-heights.org.

New Signage Comes to Woodland Heights

You may have noticed the new signage that Harris Country Precinct 1 has installed across our neighborhood. We've got 8 to 10 new signs throughout the neighborhood, letting the public know that Harris County Precinct 1 Constables are on patrol throughout Woodland Heights.

Beautification Update /  by Ryan Taylor

It's Spring, and everything is in bloom ... that also means the Beautification Team is busy making repairs and planning ways to beautify our neighborhood. Here's a report on what we've been up to recently.

Watson Street - New Boulders and Curb Dressing have brightened the corner of Watson at Usener Streets. The Beautification Committee and its volunteers spruced up the plants, fixed the damaged irrigation system, got a bigger and better boulder (the one there previously was demolished in the February accident), reset the bollards, and painted the concrete surround for the esplanades. Many thanks to everyone who pitched in to make all the repairs and upgrades: Pat Rutledge, Pat Schaper, Pat German, and Louise Moss; you guys are amazing! 

Historical Marker - The historical marker that used to be located at Travis Elementary at the corner of Beauchamp and Highland is temporarily in storage. It was moved before the renovation of that corner of Travis Elementary's play area. If you have never had a moment to read the sign, it details some of the historic roots of our neighborhood. Mark it as a good read for future reference once we've relocated the signage to a new spot in the neighborhood. We'll update you on that location shortly.

Wildflowers Growing - Houston Avenue Esplanade - Wildflowers are growing on the Houston Avenue Esplanade. Half of the esplanade was accidentally mowed by a landscaping group hired to maintain I-45. They've been contacted and have removed that esplanade from their list. Signage indicating the esplanade was adopted by the WHCA and will come from the Houston Parks and Recreation Department on April 9, so we should not have a problem with mowing again. This year, the lack of rain has affected the sprouting of wildflowers, but we will be reseeding again this fall and looking for volunteers to help us. Stay tuned in September when we send that call out. Suppose you or your business is interested in supporting this Wildflower Planting Project by contributing to buying seeds in the fall or supporting a watering program. In that case, we'd love to hear from you! Businesses, individuals, and those who like to beautify our neighborhood, we'd love to hear from you. Email beautification@woodland-heights.org.

Volunteers Always Welcome - It takes a village to handle things, and we appreciate all the volunteers who keep things going. If you'd like to join the WHCA Beautification Crew of volunteers, we'd love to have you! Individuals, businesses, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, etc., are welcome. You just need to be willing to take the time, dig in, and enjoy volunteering to make a difference in our neighborhood. It'll be fun, rewarding, and a great way to meet your neighbors and make new friends.

If you're interested in joining our crew, email me at  beautification@woodland-heights.org.

Beautification Update /  by Ryan Taylor

By Ryan Taylor

The start of this year has been filled with a lot of work for Beautification volunteers. We thank each and every one of our neighbors who take time out of their busy days to pitch in to help keep our neighborhood and its greenspaces clean and tidy!

Norhill Esplanade - A shout-out to Adam Linder for volunteering to refill the dog waste bags on the Norhill Esplanade. The WHCA purchases the bags, but we appreciate Adam's help filling the containers. Just a note to all doggie parents who use the bags and the Norhill Esplanade—please remember to pick up after your furry friends and dispose of their waste at home. The esplanade is one we all use, and it's much nicer when there aren't any surprises lying around in the grass."
A note regarding the water leak near the Norhill Esplanade. The board checked the leak on February 20, 2025, We determined it is not coming from the sprinkler system on the esplanade, it is on the COH side of the water meter and we have reported it via 3-1-1. We are working to get COH Public Works and Engineering to make the repair as it is on their side of the water meter and something they are responsible for fixing (we can't make the repair for them since it's on their side of the meter). We submitted the Service Request via 3-1-1 and have informed both our Courncil Member Mario Castillo, District H and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department of the problem and the submitted Service Request. They are support us in trying to get this repair made. We will keep you informed when we know more.

Historic Marker - The historic marker that used to be located at Travis Elementary at the corner of Beauchamp and Highland is temporarily in storage. It was moved before the renovation of that corner of Travis Elementary's play area. If you have never had a moment to read the sign, it details some of the historic roots of our neighborhood. Mark it as a good read for future reference once we've relocated the signage to a new spot in the neighborhood. We'll update you on that location shortly.

Ley Plaza, Woodland Park, Watson Esplanade - Many thanks to Pat Rutledge for winterizing the Ley Plaza & Woodland Parks sprinkler systems and Watson Esplanades before last month's freeze. We did not have any burst pipes or missing sprinkler heads because of his volunteer work. (The problem we're currently experiencing at the Norhill Esplanade is not part of our irrigation system. We checked our system the day one of our board members spotted it. The leak is actually on the COH side of the water line, and we've submitted a 3-1-1, as per COH policy, for repairs. In addition, we've alerted both Council Member Castillo's Office and Houston Parks and Recreation Department so they are aware of the problem. Both have responded and are working with us to address this problem. As we learn more, we will pass that information on to you. Thanks for your understanding).

Holiday Lights - Before I forget, thank you to Louise Moss for working on getting all the holiday lights picked up and packed up for next year. It's a seamless process that many may not notice as they go about their daily lives – but organization and dedication are the keys to making something work so smoothly. Louise has a great talent for both and I'm sure she'd appreciate having some apprentices to help so she can pass on her knowledge to them.

Wildflowers Growing - Just in case you think we forgot about the Houston Avenue Main Street Esplanade, and you're thinking it's looking a little ragged. Be assured we have not; wildflowers are growing there, and signage will be coming soon. So bear with us as things grow …  Spring is just around the corner.

Volunteers Always Welcome - It takes a village to handle things, and we appreciate all the volunteers who keep things going. If you'd like to join the WHCA Beautification Crew of volunteers, we'd love to have you! Individuals, businesses, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, etc., are welcome. You just need to be willing to take the time, dig in, and enjoy volunteering to make a difference in our neighborhood. It'll be fun and rewarding and a great way to meet your neighbors and make new friends.

If you're interested in joining our crew, email me at beautification@woodland-heights.org.

Upper East Side Beautification /  by Michael Graves

As of the posting of this newsletter on January 31, 2025, there are now only 48 days left until Spring! Something many of us may be wishing for. The Vernal or Spring Equinox to return (in the Northern Hemisphere, the March equinox is called the vernal equinox, because it signals the beginning of Spring (vernal means fresh or new like the Spring).

In anticipation of Spring and in the hopes of enhancing the entrance from Main Street and I-45 would be a more inviting one if it greeted residents, guests, and others into our neighborhood. Last November, following the adoption, Boy Scout Troop 30 (the 3T0) pitched in to help Director of Beautification Ryan Taylor and his crew prep the Upper East Side Houston Avenue Esplanade and scatter wildflower seeds at the site. Rain came the following week – something we were not sure would happen, so that was a pleasant surprise and a very helpful one as baby bluebonnets are now growing. Here’s hoping we get more along with a variety of wildflowers joining them. Something we can all look forward to now that the snow has melted – let’s see what February brings.

Soon two signs will grace the esplanades - one indicating WHCA is maintaining the esplanades with the permission of the Houston Parks & Recreation Department. And the other sign like the one at the top of this article to remind everyone that there are seeds working hard to make flowers when Spring comes.

Estella Espinosa

Yard of the Month - 1101 Highland /  by Michael Graves

Jane Nelson and Deb Richardson have lived at 1101 Highland Street since May 1991. They enjoy sitting on their front porch when the weather is good so they can see their front porch and greet neighbors who pass by.

Their garden includes sage, Burford hollies, planted soon after they moved in in 1991, hawthorns, foxtail ferns, dwarf azalea, esperanza, an orange tree that has never given us oranges, amaryllis, liriope edges the beds, and wedelia, which keeps their front easement full of yellow flowers when it's in bloom.

The Amarillys and Oaks on their property hold a special place in Jane and Deb's hearts.

"Our amaryllis plants are from bulbs obtained from Deb's late mother's yard in the early 90s. The amaryllis bloom in the spring each year and have remained prolific in bulb production, so we have been able to pass along bulbs to friends and family."

The Oaks date back a century to the original home's owner. "One great feature of our yard is the stately oaks on the east side along Norhill. We had the good fortune to meet the granddaughter of our home's original owner, who planted the oaks back 100 years ago!"

With the help of a gardener, their yard provides continuous enjoyment for the couple.

"We see bees, butterflies, lizards and squirrels. The squirrels typically ensure that we never have red berries on our hollies. We love ixoras and have tried repeatedly to plant them. Unfortunately, they proved too tropical for our care and were repeatedly killed by freezes. Currently, we have chosen hardier plants, such as the hawthorns and wedelia, as recommended by our gardener."

Deb continued, "We're not at all proficient! Jane's late mother was a Montgomery County Master Gardener who advised us on plant selection and care. Now, however, primary credit goes to our gardener, Hector Rodriguez, who visits every other week."

Deb likes being outdoors and puttering in the yard/garden. Jane enjoys looking at the garden. Deb spends a few hours weekly keeping the yard looking neat. It is maintained primarily by Hector.

"Our current inspiration is a mix of choosing beauty and hardiness! Our favorite plants are the amaryllis because they connect to our loved late mother/ mother-in-law and our past."

Deb concludes by saying, "Being chosen as YOM is a lovely recognition! We're pleased to have been asked!"

Yard of the Month - 1132 Highland /  by Michael Graves

Longtime residents Brook Ward and Jason Stark lived on Euclid Street before moving to Highland four years ago.

"We moved in September of 2020.  We previously lived on Euclid St.  We have two boys who are now grown.  When they went away to college, we decided to downsize," said Brook. "We are not too picky about what plants we like.  It's important to us to have something that we can easily maintain, and that looks good.  Of course, color is important and we look to add colorful seasonal plants to the base we already have."

While they appreciate the front porch and yard, most of their time is spent in the pool area, which they have landscaped with potted plants. In the front, we enjoy the porch, which includes the flower beds on either side.

"We had a huge side yard that was perfect for adding a pool. So now, we have two options when we want to be outside. We can sit on the front porch swing and enjoy our garden, or we can choose to sit out by the pool and enjoy a little more privacy."

Their garden includes some natives, but they worked to match the plants in their yard with ones that match the Houston climate. While they had a good base of plant knowledge, to begin with, they worked with a landscape artist to provide them with help on what plants were year-round and which ones were seasonal to fill out their garden.

"Salvia, Lantana, Yucca, Vinca, Cherry Laurel, Verigated Ginger, Potato Vine, Pencil Cactus, Begonias, Oleanders, Foxtail Ferns, Ligularia, Canna, boxwood bushes, and a few we can't remember the names," Brook continued.

Regarding who has a green thumb, Brook says, "I wouldn't say we are proficient. Jason tends to have a greener thumb and is also creative. He enjoys designing and piecing together several plants into one pot, like the large pot to the right of our porch and pots by the pool."

Brook and Jason's garden does not take many hours to maintain, and they pull weeds and trim back plants as needed.

"The favorite thing would be planting. It's rewarding to see the final product. My least favorite would be adding soil and mulch. It can be backbreaking and quite messy. We enjoy getting outside and working in the yard when we have nice weather. In the summer, not so much!."

In terms of having their yard recognized as WHCA Yard of the Month, Brook remarks,

"It feels great! We pride ourselves in keeping an organized and clean house and that extends to the garden. We walk a lot in the neighborhood and have the opportunity to see other yards. We often comment on how good someone's yard looks. So it's nice to know that our yard has been noticed and adds beauty to our community."

Yard of the Month - 927 Merrill Street /  by Michael Graves

Lloyd and Ann Jones have lived in their craftsman bungalow home at 927 Merrill since 1983 and around 2000, respectively. Working together, they've seamlessly combined the beauty of their garden to create a harmonious relationship between the outside world and their home.

The vibrant colors of the flowers and the soothing greenery create a picturesque setting, though it's unclear who came up with the home's paint combination. According to Lloyd,

"I would say we both did, but Ann says it was her idea, lol."

When asked what his favorite part of their yard is, Lloyd continued,

"I would say the backyard, but we do spend a lot of our time in the front yard. Ann and I each have our own beds. If you're facing our house, mine is on the right and hers on the left. Ann's bed has Echinacea, Zinnias, Hummingbird Bush, and several different varieties of Salvia - including Hot Lips Salvia, Day Lillies,  Fire Cracker Plant, some Sage, and Purple Verbena. In my bed, I have several varieties of native grass, including Muhly Grass, Zinnias, Henry Duelburg, Salvias, and some Homestead Verbena."

Their garden, filled with native plants from various Heights area nurseries and garden centers, including Joshua's Native Plants and Garden Antiques, Buchanan's Native Plants, Home Depot, Houston Garden Center, and Another Place in Time, is a haven for several flying, crawling, and buzzing beneficial insects.

"For sure, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. We also have a nest of Mockingbirds, and we've seen Blue Jays, Cardinals, and we've had some Cooper Hawks in our bird bath as well."

Lloyd has been gardening since as far back as he can recall,

"You may not be old enough to remember, but Frito Lay used to put Zinna seed packets in their products, so that was the first thing I ever grew."

In addition to the plants purchased from nurseries, some plants handed down from family and friends are found in the beautiful landscape.

"We have some Night Blooming Cereus we got from Ann's mom, another type of Cereus I got from a swim buddy, some Begonias, and we each have our own Staghorn ferns that we combined and cultivated. It has grown into a giant; it's now about five feet across."

A gardener's work is never finished, as gardens constantly grow and change with the seasons and weather. Lloyd and Ann have different approaches to keeping their gardens beautiful. They both find joy in the process but also face challenges like keeping up with weeds and adapting to Houston's weather conditions.

Lloyd says, "The least favorite [part of gardening] would be the constant battle with the weeds. I battle the yard about once a week. I think Ann's Zen time is sweeping up the flowers and leaves from the Crepe Myrtle tree daily, lol."

While Ann's work in the garden keeps Houston's weather in mind. "With the heat, I get out there very early in the morning and stay as long as possible, then I go out around 8 in the evening and periodically throughout the day. If it wasn't for the heat, I would be out there all the time!"

In terms of their garden favorites, it depends on the season and the creatures attracted by the beautiful blooms,

Lloyd, "That's a tough one. The Muhly Grass has some bloom spikes in the fall, and that's nice. All of our hummingbird bushes are also amazing in the fall, attracting the hummingbirds."

Ann adds, "I like all types of salvias and cone flowers—all the ones that attract pollinators and do a great job of standing up to our heat as well," and leaves would-be gardeners intimidated with some advice, "If you do a little every day, a beautiful yard is very easy to maintain and grow!"

Hats Off to Beautification Committee! /  by Michael Graves

We Appreciate WHCA Volunteers!
A BIG THANK YOU to all the our dedicated Beautification Volunteers! Your willingness to give your time and service to do pick up trash, pull weeds, and just keep our Woodland Heights greenspaces looking beautiful is much appreciated! We'd like to recognize each and every one of you and  give you some well-deserved credit where it's due!.

Most of the WHCA Beautification Volunteers have been donating their time and hard work maintaining Woodland Heights garden spaces, esplanades, and greenspaces for a number of years. They would all love to have some extra hands to grab a shovel and pitch in to help. They've got the experience and knowledge to pass on about gardening and invite you to join them on one of the many volunteer workdays scheduled throughout the year. Here's some of the work they've been doing this past month.

WHCA Beautification Committee Volunteers at September 21st Ley Park Plaza Clean up

Ley Plaza Park Volunteer Clean Up!
This past Saturday, September 21, the new Director of Beautification, Ryan Taylor, working with veteran volunteers Pat Rutledge and Louise Moss and a new crew of volunteers tackled the Ley Plaza Park ravine and the Butterfly Garden. They cleared a mountain of trash that had been piling up on the north side of the park covering the drainage system that is part of the flood mitigation system. Just like the street storm sewers located throughout the neighborhood they work to divert water runoff away from your homes.

WHCA Volunteers clear debris from Ley Plaza Park Ravine

Parks and Greenspaces Role In a Community
Parks and greenspaces, like Ley Plaza Park, and Woodland Park are more than just greenspaces to relax and play in when the weather is fine. During storms and floods they retain water to keep it from flooding your homes. That is why volunteer work like that provided by the WHCA Beautification Committee is so important. They work to keep our neighborhood parks and greenspaces free of litter and debris so we can enjoy them - and this also helps the water flow away from homes when the weather threatens.

Beautification Ongoing Projects Report
Most of the WHCA Beautification Volunteers have been donating their time and hard work maintaining Woodland Heights garden spaces, esplanades, and greenspaces for a number of years. They would all love to have some extra hands to grab a shovel and pitch in to help. We invite you to join for one of the many volunteer workdays scheduled throughout the year. In the meantime, here's some of the work they've been doing this past month.

Watson Esplanade - Thank you to Pat Schaper and Louise Moss pulled weeds and pruned the rose and blue mist bushes for spending 7 hours! Additional work accomplished included:

  • Checking the sprinkler system for correct operation and checking the lighting on esplanade signage 

  • Volunteers are also on a weekly schedule to keep the Gulf Muhly grass watered and healthy   

Norhill Esplanade - The dead pine tree in the middle of the esplanade has been marked for removal by Houston Parks & Recreation Department's (HPARD) Urban Forestry section. Thank you to Parks!

Ley Plaza Park - Thank you to Pat Rutledge! for working with CenterPoint who has agreed to clear the power lines that run inside the park.

  • HPARD's Urban Forestry will be removing 3 – dead/diseased trees in the next coming weeks and will be scheduliing the removal of underbrush around the perimeter of the park in the Fall

Next Volunteer Opportunity!
Your next opportunity to volunteer to clean up greenspaces is on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The Houston Parks and Recreation Department will be holding a Park Recovery and Restoration Event at Woodland Park. Volunteers are encouraged to participate! See flyer below for more information!

Keep Woodland Heights Beautiful! Volunteer Opportunities /  by Michael Graves

According to Keep Houston Beautiful's 2020 Litter Study, released in 2021, we have some cleaning up to do! While the study indicates significant improvements over the years, it also averages out that there are still 50 billion pieces of litter on the ground or about 152 pieces of litter for every American. But here's the inspiring part-one of the driving forces behind this tidying up is VOLUNTEERS! People just like you who have rolled up their sleeves, put on their gloves, reached for a trash bag and pitched in to be a part of the solution. Your efforts have made a significant impact, and we're proud of what we've achieved together.

In our Woodland Heights neighborhood, we can all help by looking at our greenspaces and parks and engaging in ongoing cleanup activities sponsored by the Woodland Heights Civic Association's Beautification Committee and the Friends of Woodland Park. Both organizations are working tirelessly to minimize the impact littering makes in our greenspaces and parks, and your participation is crucial in this ongoing effort.

The Woodland Heights Civic Association is working hard to care for the Watson and Norhill Esplanades, Ley Plaza Park, and its Butterfly Garden, the North Houston Avenue Esplanade (near Main Street and Houston Avenue). The Friends of Woodland Park concentrate on keeping one of Houston's oldest parks clean, with numerous volunteer work days and events.

Mark your calendars for the next WHCA Beautification Work Day, scheduled for Saturday, September 21st, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.The focus will be Ley Plaza Park (corner of White Oak and Gladys Streets). This is a great opportunity to join your neighbors in making a visible difference in our community.

The Friends of Woodland Park also have events focused on the environment and our feathered friends who live there from September 20th to the 22nd. September 20th celebrates World National Cleanup Day, the 21st features a Fall Bird Survey, and September 22nd is a cleanup at Woodland Park.

Both groups are always looking for people - individuals, groups, businesses, corporations, clubs, etc. - interested in devoting a few hours to volunteering for a good cause. There's a role for everyone, and your contribution, no matter how big or small, is valued. Upcoming neighborhood events and cleanup dates for both organizations can be found on the Woodland Heights Civic Association and Friends of Woodland Park Event Calendars on their respective websites.