The Macomb Beautiful Association’s coveted Beautification Awards have just been announced for 2025. Nineteen residential and business properties were nominated and voted on by Macomb Beautiful members. Five residences and two businesses were chosen as outstanding examples of landscaping in front of their properties. Macomb has again proven that we live, work, and play in a beautiful town!
336 South Lafayette Street
After a two-year renovation, Allen and Patti Nemec moved into their home at 336 South Lafayette Street in July of 1999. At that time their focus shifted to further landscaping the front and back yards of the property.
The spring landscape begins with a star formation of approximately 200 pink and white hyacinths sending a message that winter has passed and bringing color and fresh fragrance to the neighborhood. Following their showy display the front and back yards are filled with Tulips, Lily of the Valley, Grape Hyacinth, Iris, Lilacs, Viburnum and various colorful and fragrant spring bushes and flowers that lead into summer.
Summer landscapes focus on a variety of seasonal plants adorning the property. In the front of the home that includes planting two antique urns, flower beds and lining the walkway leading to the front porch.
On the front parkway, two mature Ash trees have spectacularly survived the Ash Borer disease due to diligent professional treatment.
The Nemecs have included specific plants to attract pollinators and wildlife, but struggled with the lack of sun they need to thrive. After losing a tree on the south side parkway due to storm damage, a perfect spot opened up for a designated pollinator garden.
It has done well in its first year and they have plans for expanding this area in the future.
1120 Woodland Trail
Tracey and Todd Hamilton built their lovely home on Woodland Trail in 2003.
Over the years Tracey has added, changed and regrouped her many areas of flowers and shrubs. Day lilies, Shasta daisies, peonies and Knockout roses are very prominent in her four flower beds. Their hydrangeas make a beautiful and striking statement next to their house. Hostas and grasses help accent the area with Little Henry Sweetspire interspersed for additional color.
Now that Tracey has retired from teaching, she enjoys having more time to spend caring for her flowers. Although you can’t see her back yard from the street, she has several areas including a berm with several newer plantings on the east side of the house.
623 Memorial Drive
When Kelley Jones moved into her home at 623 Memorial Drive in 2015, the previous owners had already created a garden landscape that featured a dwarf Pagoda dogwood tree surrounded by coneflowers, Black eyed Susans, Columbine and fountain grasses.
As time passed, she has added numerous hostas to take advantage of the shade from a large oak tree. Barberry shrubs in three colors were added, along with yellow day lily, tiger lily, and coral bells. Feather Reed grasses and Maiden grasses were later introduced, along with pink sedum for fall interest.
In the last 5 years many Arborvitaes and a few boxwoods have been planted in assorted shapes and colors to provide color in all four seasons.
1513 W. Grant Street Janet Rauch relates that anyone who gardens knows the effort it takes to keep flower beds looking their best, but the work is very rewarding.
Her gardens are always undergoing new changes but still consist mainly of Hydrangea bushes and perennials of Iris, Hosta, Daylilies, Brunnera, Salvia, and Sedum. She has added a variety of annuals to add color to the gardens and potted plants. Her gardens also feature water fountains and bird baths which she enjoys during quieter hours of the day.
It is always quite challenging keeping the flower beds at their best when we have such an overabundance of wildlife in the city. The extreme weather changes can be difficult too, but even with all the challenges flower gardening can still be an enjoyable hobby.
216 S. Dudley Street
Roger White and Nancy Hansen moved to 216 S Dudley St in 1996. Landscaping their property has been a long work in progress and continues.
Large flower beds were created in front of the house. The beds have perennials including Clematis, Endless Summer hydrangeas, Strawberry hydrangea, White Out roses, a coral Cinco de Mayo rose, and Encore Azaleas. The front of the beds has an assortment of daffodils that bloom from early to late spring.
The driveway is lined with daylilies to the north and bearded irises to the south. Containers with petunias cascade down each side of the front stairs. Sentimental favorites include Peonies from Nancy’s grandmother’s original garden. Many other plants make guest appearances in planters around the property.
1206 Stacy Lane
Jeff and Susan Wherley have owned their home since December of 2011. Many changes were made as they started updating the landscape that very first spring to incorporate some color.
Susan has tried several different blooming varieties of flowers to bring color to the front beds which reside under two large trees. If they don’t thrive, Jeff transplants them to one of the gardens in the back where they have grown significantly over the years. Hydrangeas remain a favorite as they have successfully scattered several varieties throughout the beds.
The north side has a significant influence of different types of hostas with a splash of color from the black-eyed Susans. The front is anchored with a new willow tree and a Japanese maple off the corner of the porch. The side beds feature butterfly bushes and Weigela shrubs– the balance changes as they add new flowering plants. The south side along the driveway is accented with low maintenance grasses and roses.
Look for the MBA Business awards in an upcoming issue of the Community News Brief
