By Ryan Taylor
Henri and Janet Tallichet, have lived in their bungalow on Woodland Street for 17 years.
"We moved from Memorial and being home builder and landscaper, we had a lot of fun with the revival of the place," Janet told us as we interviewed her regarding her home and its garden.
She credits her green thumb and love for landscaping to her grandmother and mother. And her choice of profession to a realization that adding machines and offices did not suit her.
"As a kid my thumbs were always in the dirt but not planting. I watched my maternal grandmother garden at their ranch home in East Texas and my mother in her Houston gardens which surely saved her sanity with 4 kids. I initially chose to be a CPA but really hated it.I did not thrive with the 10 key and closed spaces so I decided to literally dig in everybody’s dirt! My best idea was to take the Master Gardeners class at the Harris County Agricultural Service Offices and I recommend it to any aspiring gardener."
Her garden is filled with natives that combine her landscapers knowledge of both natives and plantings that enjoy Houston's climate.
"Of course all of my plants are native to somewhere.The original plantings were acquired from Treesearch Farms, a nursery that deals in native plants.In general, the foundation plants are either native or of a very similar climate. Many Chinese plants love Houston and my happiest plants are the Chinese Fringe trees in the north west front and at the Watson midpoint. I don’t recommend them to someone who wants a tidy, polite yard though."
Janet's favorite gardening stores include resources she's become familiar with as from her work,
"I have been a professional landscaper for years and worked to keep in the good graces of my favorite suppliers.My main go- to is Wholesale Gardens in Bellaire but my true love is Treesearch Farms."
When viewing her yard you'll find Peggy Martin Rose trellising the iron fence along the Watson side. Bedding plants include salvia faranaciea and some roudy interlopers who have found their way in making themselves at home along with some "out of control pink & white flowers" Vincas who were grown from seed.
Her garden provides a great home for garden dwellers both of the flying and crawling variety ...
" Everything in my yard is alive. Even, sometimes, Ol’ Rosco. My recommendation is to shop reputable nurseries, who are willing to answer questions, and really know what there doing.Another option is to study books that are written with Native, Southeast Texas and our Humidity in mind. Anything goes (almost)."
Like so many gardeners ... the choice of what goes into Janet's garden is simply a matter of taste,
"I see it, I want it and then hopefully have a place for it."
As with most gardeners, there's always the pleasure of getting into the garden and working to create something that you love.
"Like a good mother, I have no favorites, every part gets my special attention and makes me happy."
She does make an exception for one well known Houston favorite,
"A giant old oak!"
Like most gardeners, Janet has favorite and not so favorite parts when it comes to gardening.
"Most favorite is just being in the dirt...Worst is mosquitoes and Roscoe’s pungent little gifts."
Regarding being this month's Yard of the Month, Janet responded,
"It's Fun!I I love to share.