Parks & Recreation Department - Notable Yards 2007

GREAT BRIDGE. Eva Tillett. 816 Saddleback Trail Road.

"I like a southern garden," said Eva Tillett. "I've planted southern plants and trees, such as hydrangeas, azaleas, gardenias, crepe myrtles, and dogwoods. I like the gardens in Charleston."

When you walk through the gate into the backyard, the first thing you notice is the lovely fragrance of mint and gardenias, which are planted just inside the yard. The focal point is an inground pool. A charming shed, situated in the back corner of the yard, is adorned with a pyracantha espalier (a plant that is trained to grow in a particular shape against a wall) in a square shape around the windows. Window boxes have been planted with ivy. Eva adds a punch of color to the window boxes by adding seasonal annuals. Her herb garden grows in the planting bed below.

Her yard has been designated as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Several types of bird feeders have been installed throughout the yard. "Different types of birds enjoy different types of feed and feeders," said Eva. Bird houses, a bird bath, and a small water garden filled with fish are also found in the backyard. Bushes with berries and plants that attract butterflies have been planted. More than half of the yard is filled with planting beds, rather than a lawn.

The backyard is perfect for entertaining. Besides the pool and a large deck, a shady area provides a cool spot for outdoor dinners. "We had a crab-picking under the trees a few nights ago, and everyone said it was at least 20 degrees cooler in the shady area," said Eva. Uplighting and lanterns provide just the right ambiance.

"We've lived here 15 ½ years," said Eva. "The first thing we did was plant trees, which help to provide privacy.  Then we added the gardens. We try to plant perennials and then just add a little punch of color each season with annuals. We try to color-coordinate the gardens."