On June 8th, Martha Romans and I had the honor of judging this year's Pride of Ownership awards. We received over 20 nominations from residents showcasing their beautiful gardens and landscaping. While recent past winners, board members, and CAC members were ineligible, we were thoroughly impressed by the high caliber of all the nominated gardens.
As a long-time judge, it's incredibly gratifying to witness how our neighbors' gardens have flourished and evolved over the years. To allow gardens to reach their full potential, we conducted judging two weeks later than usual, as many are still planting into May.
Our community's gardens may be small in size, but they're overflowing with creativity and care. With increasing shade, residents have thoughtfully selected plants suited to these conditions. Our main criteria focused on neatness, appropriate plant choices, and ingenious design maximizing use of space. Consistent maintenance to keep edges crisp and beds weed-free also caught our eye. This year's four winners excelled in these areas.
Each of the distinguished winners will receive a commemorative award sign to proudly display for two weeks, along with a prize package of gift cards from local businesses. Please join me in congratulating them!
5106 Grimm Drive
This beautifully landscaped townhome in the heart of our community is a shining example of making the most of a small space. With only a narrow area in front, the residents have masterfully utilized every inch to create an oasis of color and texture. The vibrant mix of annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs is both eye-catching and environmentally friendly.
Hardscaping elements like paths and borders define the flower beds, adding structure and visual interest. Clever use of containers allows for pops of color in areas without ground plantings. This garden is a true testament to the creativity and green thumbs of our neighborhood gardeners.
345 Helmuth Lane
Nestled on a corner lot, this end townhome takes full advantage of its additional side space to create a lush, multi-dimensional garden. Thoughtfully designed to thrive in both shaded and sunny areas, the landscape features two stunning varieties of hydrangeas as anchoring focal points in the front beds.
To maximize planting real estate, the residents have cleverly incorporated vertical space, adding pops of color and interest. The garden beds are neatly edged with hardscaping and topped with pebbles to aid drainage and prevent weeds. A fresh layer of mulch ties the entire space together with a polished look.
This garden exemplifies the passion and attention to detail that make our neighborhood's outdoor spaces so inviting. The harmonious blend of textures, colors, and design elements is sure to inspire visitors and residents alike.
171 Cameron Station Boulevard
Situated along the curved row near the gazebo circle, this end townhome gets strong sunlight for part of the day. The array of colors is truly a showstopper, with a mix of annual bloomers, lush evergreen shrubs, and two eye-catching varieties of hydrangeas. The thoughtful plant selections and design maximize the sun exposure, creating a striking display that adds curb appeal and cheer to the entire neighborhood.
This sunny sanctuary is a wonderful example of how our residents transform their outdoor spaces into an extension of their homes. The carefully tended garden is not just aesthetically pleasing, but also a welcoming environment for residents and visitors to admire nature's beauty.
5058 Minda Court
Though limited in planting space, the residents of this end unit townhome have created a delightful shaded garden. Working within the constraints of a small front and side area, they've maximized every inch with a thoughtful array of bright annuals and perennials that pop against the dappled sunlight.
A neatly lined row of eye-catching hostas provides a lush, textured border along the side. Cleverly placed containers add splashes of color above the paved areas. Despite the challenges of shade, this garden is a wonderful example of the creativity and commitment of our neighborhood gardeners.
The vibrant blooms and lush greenery don't just enhance the home's curb appeal - they create an inviting, tranquil space for all to enjoy nature's beauty up close. This hidden gem is a testament to making the most of what you have while injecting personality and pride into your gardening efforts.
The Common Area Committee is responsible for advising the Board of Directors on landscape maintenance and services such as snow removal. You can reach the CAC and Chairperson Martha Romans by emailing commonarea@cameronstation.org.
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