Southport Garden Club – Yard of the Month
Periodically, the Southport Garden Club will select a yard within the Southport City Limits that stands out for many different reasons. One requirement is that it must be one where the home gardener does all of the work. A Garden Club Committee selects the garden based on design, the variety of plants and different colors. Once selected, pictures of the garden are published in the State Port Pilot and on the Garden Club’s website. Plus a sign is located in front of the property designating it as the Southport Garden Club’s Yard of the Month.
If you know of a yard that stands out and you would like to nominate it for the Southport Garden Club’s Yard of the Month, send the location and contact information in an email to SouthportNCGardenClub@gmail.com.
Please click on any image to view it larger.
December – 2023
For December 2023, the Southport Garden Club has chosen 109 N. Rhett Street, the home and gardens of Bob and Lisa Lofton, as its December Yard of the Month. Admittedly, one of the selection criteria for Yard of the Month is that the committee concentrates on the yard, the garden areas. But with this residence, one cannot help but be drawn into the many unusual ‘nooks-and-crannies’ of the home’s construction. Indeed, the separate 2-car garage was built around an old cinderblock home of one of Southport’s former curmudgeons and commercial fishermen so that his home wasn’t disturbed. How’s that for homage to history??!!
The owners designed and built an unusual portable fence system for their two Scottish Terriers when they first moved in, but now that system provides convenience for cordoning off areas for get-togethers and workspaces.
This yard shows how natural hedging can bring privacy to a home close to very public areas in town. The Old Brunswick Jail is just next door and the Smithville Burying Ground is across the street, but nestled in the Wax Leaf Privet along the front porch, one can still enjoy a book and beverage while taking in the majesty of quintessential Southport: the Live Oak with Resurrection Ferns; landscaping lights put this beauty on display at night for all to enjoy. An equally huge Cedar, and Azaleas and Heavenly Bamboo complement the sprawling limbs of the Live Oak. White Ginger Lily, Spiderwort and Yaupon Holly add aroma and texture to the front.
Holly trees line form a perfect border down the front drive.
Azaleas, Bottlebrush, Cedar and Crepe Myrtles fill areas of the side yard and are being trimmed and readied for Spring’s coming out parties.
Visitors to the Old Jail often meander up this home’s second drive on Nash Street, curious to see the massive Cedars standing sentry in the back yard; the owners are gracious to their gazes.
By December in the back yard, the planter-pots and seasonal blooms have faded and been impeccably trimmed but these owners are already looking forward to the intoxicating smells of Spring with the walled Confederate Jasmine on the back property line, and Summer in the sunroom, when the Gardenia’s scent beckons windows to be (however briefly) flung wide open. A full Podocarpus hedge provides yet another natural fence to an adjoining property; truly, peace and quiet can be found and enjoyed in this backyard.
The Club invites you to take a slow ride by (or an enjoyable walk on a warm day!) to see what you may have missed on one of our town’s beautiful side streets.
Like so many of us like to do Southport’s yards go dormant for needed rest, gathering strength and resurgence for warmer days. Rest well, see you in Spring!
November – 2023
The Southport Garden Club is happy to announce their choice for our November Yard of the Month. This beautiful garden and home belongs to Ronda & Sam Watts, 1003 Fairley St. in the Smithville Woods section of Southport. The front porch steps, and fountain are filled with pumpkins, leaves, and Mums reminding us all fall is a long season from Labor Day to Thanksgiving and these homeowners understand it better than most. The fountain is filled with pumpkins, dried grasses, a real work of art and love. Take a drive by to admire this work of art.
October – 2023
All yards fall back a bit in the Fall – we watch as our plantings prepare for Winter hibernation. The Southport Garden Club’s October Yard of the Month – at the home of Mary Grace and Tony Mandaro, 715 E. Longleaf Drive — is no different. The hydrangeas are a bit less vibrant but the yellow Lantana and Sunshine Ligustrum work hard to make up for it. Crape Myrtles are meticulously trimmed, and pains have been taken to fill the garden areas adjacent to the house with plantings that attract butterflies and hummingbirds and provide cuttings for inside the home. The back porch is made for sitting, dreaming of projects for the future.
September – 2023
Jason and Kristie Disbrow’s home at 5131 Prices Creek Drive, in the Harbor Oaks neighborhood of Southport, was chosen to be the September Yard of the Month. The drive is beautiful with its natural stones breaking up the concrete, and the placement of shrubs and perennials a perfect setting for their wonderful, welcoming porch.
Please drive by and admire.
August – 2023
Literally at the end of the road is the August Yard of the Month, owned and maintained by Jeanne and Robert Potter at 315 Burrington Avenue in Southport.
The Southport Garden Club is happy to highlight the hard work that goes into meticulously maintained front areas that leads one’s eyes down the drive to the whimsical garden in the back. Heritage plants shared from some of Southport’s older yards, and plants gifted from family line pathways to the fun-but-functional garden house. Robert’s copper art works pop up throughout the planting areas. And what better spot to enjoy supper than a screened porch decorated with more plants and Robert’s paintings, custom-painted comfy furniture and a babbling fountain situated inside another garden spot?
Take a walk to the ‘short end’ of Burrington and look at the Potters’ botanical work of art…who knows, you just may see their friendly pup Scout keeping watch over all.
July – 2023
What more fitting selection for the Southport Garden Club’s July Yard of the Month than that of Ms. Ginger Harper at 105 E. Bay Street. Though Ms. Harper’s porch is one of the premier river-watching spots in town (imagine the July Fourth celebrations, Christmas Flotilla, cargo ships in transit, and flag-lowering ceremonies), the care for and preservation of the heritage trees and the indigenous plantings done during the extensive renovation of the home completed in early 2021 shows an appreciation and respect for this historic property — two of the original 100 lots of Southport. Ms. Harper’s love for Southport and its visitors shines with her patriotic decorations for July, and her welcoming yard all year long!
June – 2023
Amy Russo & Tom Nourse of 506 Quarter Master Way, Jonas Creek neighborhood of Southport, have been chosen to be Southport Garden Club’s Yard of the Month for June.
This home and garden are masterpieces of color and art. The owners do not neglect a space where Tom has mixed his vegies in amongst Amy’s flowers. If you have a moment to drive by and admire you will not be sorry.
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