Joey and Debbie Thomas, the extraordinary gardeners living in the Sweet Hill Plantation, are the well-deserved recipients of the Richmond Hill Garden Club’s October Yard of the Month.

Visitors are welcomed by a colorful garden of red and yellow canna lilies, red hibiscus, marigolds, purple heart tradescantia, red and white impatiens and red roses. Nestled among the fresh pine straw is an adorable rabbit and a welcoming birdbath on a hot summer day.

The garden in the front is home to a gorgeous white wrought iron loveseat nestled in the shade of an old oak tree beckoning a visitor to sit and enjoy their surroundings. The front bed is also home to a triple tier fountain and a seasonal flag.

The Thomas’s were most generous in welcoming us into the inner sanctum which is their backyard. In a word, it is spectacular! The pool area is bordered by a gorgeous jasmine arbor, a lovely banana tree complete with soon to be ripe bananas and many potted plants. Not only is there the glistening blue water of the pool, but the blue continues with the lounge chairs at the pool deck and near the edge of the lake that borders the property. Nearby, can only be described as a bird sanctuary with a bird feeder, bird house and plenty of plants and trees for shelter.

As we meandered through the backyard, butterflies too numerous to count, flitted in and out of the firecracker bush, also known as the coral plant or fountain bush, is a weeping subshrub famous for its arching green stems and cascading clusters of bright red, tubular flowers.

Joey and Debbie have created a welcoming oasis to all.

Submitted by Debbie Usher, Sandy Guthrie, and Cathy Jahn, Richmond Hill Garden Club, Yard of the Month Committee.