The Garden Club at Palm Coast

Winnie and Joe Rodriguez of Freemont Turn, have been recognized as January 2023 Selection of the Month by The Garden Club at Palm Coast.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Winnie was a school bus driver and a substitute teacher. Joe had worked for the New York City Transit Society. They retired and found their new home in Palm Coast and have been here for four years now.

This writer has been keeping a watchful eye on the development of their front yard as they had to start from scratch. They added cement curbings for all their beds and a round center island. They incorporated rubber mulch in their beds, and they love adding colorful yard decorations like bronze statues of kids holding lanterns that light up in the evening, as well as colorful spotlights that add a whole new dimension to this lovely curb appeal landscape at nighttime.

The front area has a white bird of paradise, red and purple pentas, vibrant yellow allamanda, blue daze, yellow, red, and peach hibiscus, bright pink crape myrtle, plumbago, two potted pagodas, firecracker bush, pink oleander, orange ixora, a beautiful red metal art spinner, and a decorative wagon wheel bench to sit and enjoy their yard.

The center island has curcuma gingers, yellow allamanda, coleus, and two beautiful green peacocks on either end, keeping watch and light up at night. Over to the right, there is a wishing well to make your wishes! They have future plans in the works to redo their backyard as well. Great job, Rodriguez family!

Submitted by Nancy Iandoli
Selection of the Month Committee

Tiare Darder of Colchester Lane has been recognized as the December 2022 Selection of the Month by The Garden Club at Palm Coast.

Tiare was born in Cuba, came to the US when she was 18 and settled in Tampa. One day she drove through Palm Coast, fell in love with Palm Coast, and felt like it was fate that brought her here. She has been living here now for 4 years!

This very attractive landscape has cement-edged beds throughout the property. Most of her beds are complimented with whimsical wooden animals which she makes and paints herself. She also has a wooden rooster on top of her mailbox. She has a different rooster for each season.

In her doorway area, she is very proud of her potted ponytail palm that has traveled with her for 27 years! To the left side of her yard, you find much diversity, including staghorn fern, ground orchids, blue and white sage, society garlic, Brazilian dwarf morning glory, Areca palm, blue Bismarck palm, crotons, Barbados cherry tree, fig tree, spicy jatropha, multi-color amaryllis, ground roses, and her favorite plant a Tibouchina.

The backyard is on a canal with a raised brick wall bed containing assorted succulents. Another area has gardenias, milkweed, magnolias, climbing allamanda on a trellis, and several varieties of fruit trees such as plantains, lemon, lime, blood orange, grapefruits, sugar plum, 3 pineapples, and tangerines. She also grows Cuban and Italian oregano, Cuban mint, and marjoram.

In her lanai area, she propagates many of her plants from succulents, cactus, and orchids, to name a few. There are many full pots as well as hanging plants to admire. It’s as if you are in a greenhouse!

Submitted by Nancy Iandoli
Selection of the Month Committee