Hearthstone Garden Club Celebrates May 2026 Yard of the Month Winners
As spring landscaping season reaches its peak in Hearthstone, two neighborhood homes are reminding residents how much pride, creativity and care can shape the character of a community.
The Hearthstone Garden Club has named Doug and Jennie van Wagner’s home on El Miranda as the May 2026 Yard of the Month, recognizing a corner-lot property that has become a standout example of thoughtful landscaping and curb appeal in the Cypress-area neighborhood.
At the same time, the club is also highlighting the longtime gardening efforts of Ray and Betty Peters on Bull Creek, whose colorful display of blooming tiger lilies and Easter lilies has once again turned heads throughout the community.
For many Hearthstone residents, seasonal landscaping is more than decoration. Well-maintained yards contribute to neighborhood identity, create welcoming streetscapes and reflect the investment homeowners continue making in their properties and community pride.
Corner-Lot Transformation Earns Top Recognition
According to Carol with the Hearthstone Garden Club, the van Wagners’ home stood out not only for its beauty, but also for the scale and complexity of maintaining landscaping across two frontage areas on a prominent corner lot.
“Congratulations to Doug and Jennie van Wagner on El Miranda for yard of the month,” Carol shared. “Their house is just stunning, situated on a corner lot. They have two frontage areas to maintain and they do not disappoint!”
May 2026 Yard of the Month Winner
Doug and Jennie van Wagner of El Miranda
The property features layered garden beds wrapping around both the front and side of the home, creating visual continuity from every angle. One of the most noticeable elements is a striking staghorn fern hanging from a mature tree near the front yard entrance.
Last year, two diseased trees had to be removed from the property, creating both a challenge and an opportunity for redesign. The homeowners used the space to introduce new plantings and updated landscape lighting that now highlight the home well into the evening hours.
The redesigned beds, created by Dub Sharrett, feature a blend of tropical and traditional landscaping elements, including birds of paradise, foxtail ferns, Japanese yews, palm trees, society garlic, dietes and lilies.
“The combination of plant material and colors is just stunning,” Carol noted, adding that decorative bird baths, art pieces and wreaths on every door further enhance the home’s welcoming atmosphere.
The result is a landscape that balances structure, color and texture while complementing the architecture of the home itself — an approach many homeowners increasingly seek as landscaping trends continue emphasizing both curb appeal and outdoor living aesthetics.
Bull Creek Garden Continues Longstanding Tradition
The Garden Club also recognized another familiar favorite within Hearthstone: the home of Ray and Betty Peters at 7419 Bull Creek.
Known throughout the neighborhood for their seasonal floral displays, the Peters family has previously won Yard of the Month honors five times. Their garden’s reputation has become especially tied to this time of year, when their blooming tiger lilies and Easter lilies reach full display.
“Be careful driving by, the blooming tiger/Easter Lilies are head turning!” Carol said.
The Peters’ landscaping centers around a vivid red bougainvillea framed by clusters of white Easter lilies, creating a bright focal point visible from the street. Additional landscaping elements include dwarf yaupon hedges, plumbago, vincas, nandina and a Japanese yew that has been carefully trained to grow upward along the chimney.
The front entryway is accented by potted crocus plants, adding another layer of seasonal color near the home’s entrance.
While each featured property reflects a different landscaping style, both homes demonstrate the consistent upkeep and attention to detail that neighborhood garden clubs often encourage throughout residential communities.
May 2026 Yard of the Month Honorable Mention
Ray and Betty Peters of 7419 Bull Creek
More Than Landscaping: Strengthening Community Identity
Neighborhood beautification efforts like Yard of the Month programs often carry a broader impact beyond aesthetics alone.
In communities like Hearthstone, landscaping traditions can help strengthen neighborhood pride, encourage homeowner engagement and foster connections between residents who share a passion for gardening and outdoor spaces.
The recognition also highlights how mature neighborhoods continue evolving through reinvestment and personalized home improvements rather than large-scale redevelopment alone.
As warmer weather settles into the Cypress area, the Garden Club hopes these featured homeowners will continue participating in neighborhood activities in the months ahead.
“The Hearthstone Garden Club hopes these home owners will join us in August for our club kick off!” Carol shared.
Residents interested in gardening, landscaping and neighborhood beautification efforts are encouraged to stay connected with upcoming Hearthstone Garden Club events and seasonal community activities.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more Hearthstone community updates, neighborhood recognitions and local events throughout the year.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.