Mary Claire Rowe

The expansive garden of Bob and Sue Clark on Cumberland Road is the third garden to be featured during the May 3 Garden Tour, sponsored by the Smith County Master Gardeners.

Three large, 40-year-old Japanese maple trees adorn the front of the spacious home. On a clear, spring day their brilliant red shimmers, contrasting with the blue sky making the garden visitor eager to see what lies ahead.

When the Clarks first acquired their home, the front yard bed was one long line of boxwood shrubs. Through their planning and work, the area has been transformed into a series of flower beds featuring azaleas, annuals, and perennials.

Everywhere throughout this large woodland property, the Clarks have established wonderful flower beds, full of an amazing variety of plants.

Among the first things to be seen are water-wise plants such as yellow lantana, purple salvia, red sage, and an amazing yellow Candlestick Tree.

Their first garden project was a small butterfly garden, featuring plants that attract and nurture these beautiful insects.

Throughout the eight years they have lived in this garden home, they have continued to add the kind of plants that butterflies and birds want and need. As a result, their garden has been certified as a National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

It can rightfully be called "The Bird and Butterfly Haven."

Sue Clark's interest in gardening led her to become a Smith County Master Gardener, where her expertise grew.

She loves to "play in the dirt," as she calls it, and plants whatever interesting specimen catches her attention.

On hearing this, the garden visitor might think that the garden was done in a higgledy-piggledy fashion, but the effect is not jumbled or confused.

Some gardeners just seem to have an innate sense of what will fit and grow in harmony, and these gardeners have that ability.

She further increased her knowledge by taking training to become a Rainwater Harvesting Specialist.

She was so enthusiastic about the value of catching rainwater, that she and her husband built a small harvesting station. The large, catch-containers, which are recycled plastic pickle barrels, collect from a 200 square-foot-roof area. There was enough caught this winter to provide all the water needed for their greenhouse.

Mrs. Clark frequently starts new plants from cuttings, and the north facing, covered back porch provides a handy spot for the pots filled with them.

Many shade loving plants make their home here as well. It is also a place of tranquility and repose, where she and her family can sit, visit, and enjoy the lovely garden atmosphere.

Mrs. Clark told of the joy of being with her grandchild, Spencer, and watching a clutch of baby wrens leave the nest.

She also loves having her beloved, furry-mop, rescue-dog, Munch, work with her when she plants.

Potted herbs line the steps leading from the porch to the beautiful, mosaic tile, pool further down the patio.

Not only do they look and smell wonderful, they are used daily by the Clarks in their kitchen. The garden gazebo filled with plants is another lovely feature in this garden, as is the antique wagon filled with geraniums that rests where it can catch the late afternoon sun.

Their greenhouse, further back towards the woods, is filled with over-wintering begonias, her favorite plant.

There she has room to work with new plants and to propagate more for the large garden. Bob and Sue Clark have created a comfortable and beautiful outdoor space and they have graciously agreed to share it with Tyler on May 3.

A lovely "Blue Light" Clematis was in full bloom this past week in their butterfly garden.

Used by pioneers, as a substitute for pepper, despite being poisonous to humans when eaten, it was called "Pepper Vine." "Traveler's Joy," "Virgin's Bower," or "Leather Flower" are other common names. Whatever it is called, it is easy to grow and adds a beautiful note to the garden song.

"What's Blooming In Our Garden'' is a regular feature of the Tyler Morning Telegraph Garden Page. It is written by Mary Claire Rowe, a Master Gardener with the Texas Cooperative Extension, and focuses on flowers and plant life around East Texas. To share your comments on gardening, write her in care of the Morning Telegraph.

Mary Claire Rowe
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