GREAT BUNGALOW GARDEN IDEAS

Here in the Houston Heights area, you'll find cute bungalows with charming gardens.

 I find that the fence, the garden, and the pathways

are just as important as the bungalow itself.

Here's this month's pick for BEST BUNGALOW GARDEN.

Hope you'll agree!

David/:0)

My vote for best garden pathway.

A close up shot include Yellow Sweet Potato vine, Ageratum, and Marigolds.

Plants include: Pink Geraniums, Boxwoods, Purple Angelonia, Yellow Lantana, Orange Marigolds, Blue Ageratum, Light Green Sweet Potato  vine, Blue Salvias, Mint, and Yellow Rudbeckias in the far back.

Another view.

The quiet side yard with sitting area.

Notice the calm house colors, the wooden railing and beautiful door.

The whole effect is stunning.

 That's why this garden gets my

BUNGALOW GARDEN AWARD for June.

Job well done, neighbor!

BUNGALOW FRONT YARD GARDEN IDEAS

Here's a sampling of some of the styles of gardening you can find in Houston's historic bungalow district.

The classic look with trimmed hedges and a variety of other plantings. These are balanced with a meticulously kept lawn. This is a beautiful bungalow!

The well-trimmed hedges and lawn compliment this cute bungalow. The symmetry and balance give this bungalow a pleasing style.

This rustic fence and sidewalk garden with snuggle near the cozy porch of this Heights bungalow.

Another type of fence garden filled with rambling floral vines adds to this gorgeous bungalow.

This hip looking bungalow shines with personal features and great colors. The hedge and fence give balance to the delightful vine arbor. I call this one the "K" bungalow.

This front yard includes a cottage garden. Cottage gardens come in all styles. This cottage garden shares the yard with a nice lawn and tree. The inviting brickwork and walkway draws the eye to the beautiful front porch.

Cottage gardens can include vegetables, shrubs, rose gardens, and annuals. Here's a wonderful example from Columbus, Texas.

The English garden can live on the wild side and still be beautiful. This carefully planted arbor  & walkway warmly invites you to the front porch swing.

The last bungalow I'll show you today features an outstanding classic cottage garden using plants adapted to a Texas climate. This is one of the finest cottage gardens in the Houston Heights district.

***

Well that's it for today. Hope you enjoyed the tour of front yard gardens. Driving through the Houston Heights always inspires me.

David/:0)

8 YEARS OR 80? PLAY THE "HOW OLD ARE THESE BUNGALOWS" GAME

Builders and owners alike try very hard to match building styles within historic districts. Sometimes it's imposed. Other times it comes from the desire to protect the look and feel of special places like the Houston Heights and Woodland Heights. Not all of these are bungalows, but all are in the historic district. I'll tell you the answers at the end. Warning: some homes are hybrids and would be considered both since there is an older, original part and a newer addition. If it's closer to 8 years old, then the answer is 8. If it's an original home, then the answer is 80 years. Get a pencil and paper and mark your answers. Ready?

House A: 8 years or 80 years old? (This one is easy)

House B: new construction (8 years) or original bungalow (80 years)?   The new roof doesn't count.

House C: 8 years or 80 years old? (New roof doesn't count either way)

Houses in picture D: both 8 or both 80 years old?

House E sure is pretty! 8 or 80?

House F: 8 or 80?

House G: 8 or 80?

House H: 8 or 80? Is this still fun, or am I driving you crazy and now you're second guessing that all these 'old' houses are really new?

House I is filled with charm, isn't it? So is it 8 years old or 80?

House J: 8 years old or 80?

House K: Wow, this one is for sale! 8 years or 80?

Finally House L: 8 or 80? This one is probably my favorite because of the windows and roof line symmetry.

But all of them are so nice it's hard to pick a favorite.

Answers:

A. closer to 8

B. closer to 80 

C. closer to 80

D. both are surprisingly closer to 8!

E.closer to 80

F. closer to 8! This was painstakingly built to appear as if from the historical period of the Houston Heights 

G. closer to 80

H. not certain, but probably closer to 80  

I.closer to 80

J.closer to 8

K. a hybrid of both 1910 & 2005, so it's both 8 and 80 years 

L.closer to 80

Thanks for stopping by! David/ :-)

PICKET FENCES

When you think of Houston, you probably think of skyscrapers, apartments, and brick houses. But amazingly we have a number of beautiful historic districts and with these some much admired picket fences. Here's a sample from the Houston Heights and Woodland Heights districts.

a graceful curved picket fence

It's rare to find other colors, but here's a wonderful green picket fence.

                                          white pickets with "Z" gate and matching mailbox

The very intricate white pickets blend with the natural planting scheme.

A natural wood picket fence made with treated lumber. This fence is very new and extremely well-made.

The clumping grasses blend in perfectly with the design.

HOLIDAY BUNGALOWS IN HOUSTON

Here are a few easy ways to decorate your home at Christmas. You don't even need outdoor lights to make these happen. Happy Holidays!

      Red Bow Bungalow in Houston Heights.

     Wreaths and Ornaments Bungalow

           Festive Fence Bungalow

            Most Traditional First Place Award  in Woodland Heights.

                                                  Their front porch Santa.
Thanks for stopping by today. To see Bungalows with Christmas lights, scroll down. 
My next post: Ha Ha: Unusual Christmas Art & Decor found in Houston. Stay tuned.       :0) David

1930 FRONT PORCH BUNGALOW

This charming bungalow has a full length front porch and intimate front garden. Located in the historic Houston Heights District near Reagan High School.

I love the beautiful paver designs.

Two kinds of palmettos lend a tropical touch to this southern bungalow.