Charming rustic décor creates a cheery welcome to the home of Kim and Galen Dayton, 501 Hickory Lane, chosen as the July 2021 Yard of the Month by the Jefferson Garden Club. Throughout the gardens, Kim’s vintage decorating touches create warmth and interest in surprising ways as containers for bright pots of annuals on the porch and as backdrops for vines.
The decorating and gardening style of the previous owner, similar to Kim’s, made this a “dream home” for the Daytons, who purchased the property almost two years ago. Natural rock, much of it from Colorado, forms an organic foundation for the many plantings surrounding the home.
A quiet oasis in the back yard features large pots of vibrant, persimmon-colored geranium that Kim successfully overwintered. Because she loved the color so much, she was willing to go to the effort of tending to the plants throughout the cold months in their basement.
Seating surrounding a fire-pit centers the patio space bordered by large rocks and softened by a group of dwarf Alberta spruce. A large planter of colorful annuals and ornamental grass creates a focal point for the patio. Kimberly Queen ferns flourish at the edge of the sheltered deck overlooking the patio along with hanging baskets of bright petunias.
Nearby, an herb garden in a vintage double washtub and tomato plants thrive in the sunny, southeast location. A variety of hosta plants enjoy the shade on the home’s north side.
