As a teenager, Jan Scurlock learned to love gardening from an aunt who let her water some asparagus ferns while teaching her planting and propagating skills. She became fascinated by gardening books and periodicals such as Birds and Blooms.

Over the years, Jan taught art to young pupils at a military base in Germany and in several cities around Texas before landing in Mineola. In 2015, while still teaching art to Mineola elementary school students, Jan bought her home at 233 CR 2436 in Lake Brenda. 

A row of boxwoods lined the front of her house and a large magnolia tree blocked the view from her windows. Jan preferred a less formal entrance to her home, and after discarding the boxwoods, designed curving beds full of energy and color. A boulder set into the lawn then became the focus of a new, circular flowerbed. More recently, she removed the magnolia tree and used the stump to commission a charming carving of bear cubs. A new, carefully placed maple tree provides interest and shade.

Spring is her favorite season, since the early warmth in East Texas is ideal for an array of blooms. She especially likes pink and red and planned on using only those colors this season, but couldn’t bear to give up all the other gorgeous shades available.  Bougainvillea in various colors, lantana, purple oxalis, roses of every variety, gardenias and geraniums join dozens of other plants in a glorious palette. She mixes annuals and perennials with a master’s hand and says she loves the creativity of gardening.

Jan does all her own yardwork, but admits she may have reached a point of completion in what she’s achieved. With the exception of a small lemon tree and some “accidental” tomatoes, (she was astonished to discover that what she thought were zinnia seeds produced tomato plants) she’s content with flowering plants.

Squirrels have been a problem eating the suet that she puts out for birds, so she’s moved the feeder to an area without trees to discourage them. She laughs that they may not be happy with that.

Jan’s patriotic 4th of July outfit is as vivid and vibrant as her landscape and the Fannie Marchman Garden Club is proud to present the Scurlock home as the July Yard of the Month.