After a long winter slumber, spring has finally awakened in the neighborhood, and with it, the much-anticipated return of the County Hills Garden Club’s Beauty Spot. Though a colder season slowed the usual burst of early color, mother nature has fully caught up — and the vibrant spirit of spring is on full display. With so many lovely homes to admire, selecting just one is never easy.
We are thrilled to announce that the May 2025 Beauty Spot of the Month is awarded to the Keppler home at 9924 Pinehurst Avenue. A long-time resident, this is a first-time honor for Chris to be recognized and is well deserved. Thoughtful landscaping has turned his well-manicured large corner lot into a dynamic tapestry that shifts beautifully from early spring into May, thanks to a well-planned collection of blooming ephemerals and shrubs.
The bright yellow daffodils that heralded the start of spring have gracefully given way to soft blue-hued Spanish bluebells, creating a soothing contrast. A lush variety of evergreen shrubs and stately conifers embrace the home, providing year-round structure and depth. At the heart of this display, a centrally placed nandina shrub bursts with vibrant red berries, offering striking pops of color against the home’s warm brick facade. A bronze placard, etched with latitude and longitude coordinates, charmingly marks this spot as a destination worth finding.
Adding to the layered design are clusters of hydrangeas poised to bloom and the delicate petals of witch hazel, offering early-season charm. Tall irises and plump peonies are staged, waiting to unfurl their luxurious blooms. Throughout the beds, fragrant catmint spills over gracefully, and the succulent foliage of autumn joy sedum, promises beauty well into the later fall months.
The Keppler’s yard showcases an artful blend of color, structure, and thoughtful design that creates a landscape that feels both elegant and inviting. We encourage everyone to take a stroll by 9924 Pinehurst Avenue this month to enjoy the welcoming display.
It’s that magical time of year again, and the CCH community never fails to spread holiday cheer! Last Tuesday evening, December 17th, the CCH Garden Club judging committee toured the neighborhood, marveling at the dazzling displays that lit up our streets. The abundance of creative contributions made this year’s competition tougher than ever, and we’re thrilled to recognize those who truly stood out. For 2024, we introduced two new categories—Best Use of White Lighting and Best Use of Multi-Colored Lighting—to showcase even more of our talented decorators. As always, we greatly appreciate all the work homeowners put into decorating the neighborhood to show our seasonal spirit.
The 2024 winners are…………………
TRADITIONAL: The Harvey family at 10104 Cornwall Road captures all the traditional themes this year with their display. Each window radiates the warm glow of flickering candles, showcasing centrally hung wreaths adorned with red bows. Bright white lights highlight the evergreen shrubs lining the front of the house, while the Yuletide Camellia adds a festive pop of red blooms. An illuminated large wreath near the front door completes this welcoming and classic holiday scene.
INFLATABLES: A true inflatable wonderland can be found at 10111 Spring Lake Terrace. The Matlocks, a perennial contender for inflatables, have been upping their game each year with a multiplying menagerie of eclectic air-filled characters. Their home dazzles with an assortment of seasonal characters, including Star Wars favorites, a pink flamingo, and more. Warm white lights outline the roofline, while colorful bulbs line the driveway, creating a cheerful atmosphere. Words are not able to do this creative design justice, seeing is believing!
BEST WHITE LIGHTING: The Murphree family’s serene and uniform classic white light design won this category. Their 10126 Spring Lake Terrace home glows with elegance, as warm white lights brighten their bushes, frame their windows and roofline, and illuminate a charming family of deer. Classic wreaths adorn the windows, completing this cohesive and peaceful holiday scene.
BEST MULTI-COLORED LIGHTING: The vibrant splendor at 10116 Farmington Drive dazzles with creativity and color! A candy cane-themed lamppost and a gingerbread man inflatable set the tone, while multicolored lights weave through the evergreen shrubs. Pops of red lights accent the base, and bright white snowflakes adorn the fence. The festive presentation includes gnomes, penguins, and beloved peanut characters, with a jolly skeleton adding a playful twist!
BEST OVERALL LIGHTING: We’ve had our eye on 10000 Blackthorn Court and this year’s enhancements sealed the deal for overall lighting. Challee and Allison have put a lot of effort to illuminate their corner-lot home in white and various colored lights. Warm white lights outline the roof, and drape along the hedges that encircle the entire property. Dancing snowflakes dangle below wooden window boxes and a centrally hung multi-colored wreath decorates the front of the house. Even their camper joins in the fun, adorned with lights and surrounded by Santa, reindeer, and a flamingo.
JUDGES CHOICE: 3407 Andover Drive won over the Judges this year. The Hughes family used a mix of lights and inflatables to create their winter wonderland. Multi-colored lights brighten the roofline and illuminate a focal tree in the front yard, while Santa and his reindeer prepare for takeoff on glowing runway. A cheerful snowman waves to passersby and festive dog statue add the perfect touch to this enchanting scene.
HONORABLE MENTION: The mischievous Grinch graces the Welch family’s 10001 Spring Lake Terrace home adding a playful twist to the season. Is he up to no good or spreading holiday cheer? Either way, he stole the show and our hearts!
The CCH Garden Club extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who brightened our neighborhood with their festive displays. Your creativity and dedication brought joy to all who passed through our neighborhood. We can’t wait to see what next year’s festivities will bring!
September ushers in the fall season with cool, crisp sunny days, transforming the neighborhood into a vibrant tapestry of color and texture. This month’s Beauty Spot is bestowed upon Jaime and Carmen Figueroa of 3507 Pinehurst Avenue. Long-time residents of our community, the Figueroa’s previously earned this honor back in 2014, and we are excited to witness the evolution of their home over the years.
As you approach their residence, you are greeted by a lush, well-manicured green lawn that gracefully envelops the sloped hill leading up to the house. The front yard features an enchanting island bed, where a rustic wooden sign adorned by whimsical frog statues, seashells, and interesting rocks that welcomes visitors. This charming display is complemented by a delightful mix of white and bright pink crepe myrtles, dogwoods, and a variety of evergreens, creating a picturesque scene.
The front of the house showcases an impressive array of fluffy, green-tinged hydrangea blooms, that beautifully contrast against the bright blue painted brick. A stone-lined bed wraps around the front door, where evergreens and a splendid dogwood tree create a warm welcome, while hostas and perennial flowers fill in the spaces below, adding layers of texture and multi-season color.
To the right of the driveway, an alternating row of crepe myrtles and dogwood trees lines the property, with a stately Japanese maple enhancing the landscape’s beauty. At the top of the driveway, a cozy covered gazebo invites relaxation, providing a perfect spot to enjoy the outdoors surrounded by colorful perennials.
The Country Hills Garden Club is thrilled to showcase the Figueroa’s home this September. We invite all residents to stop by to enjoy their lovely landscape.
With the heat of summer fully upon us, some CCH yards aren’t slowing down. One such example is the DeThomas home at 10120 Cornwall Road, which has earned them the August Beauty Spot. Christine and Steve are recent newcomers to CCH and, while excited to receive this acknowledgment, they would be remiss without mentioning the previous owner and longtime former resident, Nancy LeBow. It was Nancy’s vision and design that set-in motion, many years ago, this now mature landscape.
Their well-manicured large corner lot offers a variety of multi-seasonal interest to admire no matter which side passersby choose to stop. A rustic wooden fence lines the property and landscaped beds that contain an assortment of mature dogwoods, rose bushes, and evergreens. At this time of the year, three well-placed crepe myrtles are ablaze with intense deep red flowers, creating vibrant focal points throughout the garden. Meanwhile, panicled hydrangeas dot the landscape, their blooms reminiscent of fluffy white clouds against a bright blue sky.
As you approach the house, an assortment of shrubs in different colors and textures offers visual interest, while stone garden features add a thoughtful touch. The right side of the driveway is flanked by a raised stone bed containing a plethora of pollinator-loving plants. A sea of golden yellow rudbeckia, interspersed with the purple hues of towering Joe Pye weeds, are covered with a host of busy bees, creating a lively and dynamic display. The theme continues with catmint, sedum, coneflower, and daylilies anchoring this expanse of perennials.
The Country Hills Garden Club is excited to feature the DeThomas home at 10120 Cornwall Road this August. While this time of year can be hard on landscapes, theirs is going strong, standing as a testament to thoughtful design and meticulous maintenance.
Spring has sprung and summer is fast approaching! The Country Hills Garden Club is excited to announce its first Beauty Spot of 2024. The June accolades are bestowed upon the home of Nancy and Allan Jones at 3506 Spring Lake Terrace. The Joneses have been longtime residents of CCH, over 40 years if anyone is counting. According to Allan, all the credit should go to Nancy, who has designed and maintained their lovely landscape over the years, harmoniously blending colors, textures, and seasonal interest.
As you take in their home from the street, a mature maple tree stands tall as the landscape focal point, providing much-needed shade for the dense sea of pachysandra that envelops the front yard. A stone path meanders along its base, bordered by evergreen shrubs and an assortment of ferns, heuchera, and azaleas. An inviting wooden bench awaits those that venture this path less traveled.
Throughout the landscape, one can find thoughtfully placed garden features that add an artistic touch and visual interest. A pair of weathered planters showcases colorful coleus, while a lone late-blooming azalea provides a pop of pink against the lush green backdrop. These subtle yet impactful details demonstrate Nancy’s keen eye for design and her ability to create a cohesive and enchanting garden space.
Approaching the front door, you are welcomed by a quaint terraced courtyard of brick and stone featuring multiple landscaped areas, various sized containers, and a café table for two. This cozy nook is perfect for soaking in the morning sun and enjoying a cup of coffee while admiring the meticulously curated garden. Lush green hostas encircle a vibrant dwarf Japanese maple, creating a striking contrast and focal point on the patio.
The careful selection and placement of plants throughout the yard ensure that there is always something in bloom, providing continuous interest and beauty throughout the seasons. The Country Hills Garden Club proudly recognizes the Jones family for their outstanding efforts in transforming their home into a breathtaking beauty spot, deserving of this month’s recognition.
