November 2024 - Yard Of The Month

We had an idea that Michael Oppedisano was a plant lover when our committee saw him carefully tending to his garden beds at 5421 Richard Ave but were unaware of how much he loved plants until we had the pleasure of meeting him, his sweet-natured kids, Camilla and Rocco and seeing the rest of his amazing yard.  

Michael (with the help of his 8-year-old twins) does all of his own gardening work, taking his 2-story, Craftsman-style home from builder-grade to beautiful in the span of his 14 years of ownership. As a pediatric dentist with a passion for plants inspired by his Italian grandfather, his dedication and care for his yard is seen throughout, from the carefully-brought-back-to-life Live Oak providing much needed shade to the impressive greenhouse almost completed in his back yard. He says that most of his success comes from trial and error over the years, having to learn how to adjust to Texas’ sometimes extreme cold and hot temperatures as a New Yorker who moved here from Boston 20 years ago. His favorite plants include the vibrant red celosia protecting his Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired pots, hibiscus with its many-colored giant flowers, and the ginkgo tree, several of which you can see along his front yard.

He offers the following tips for his fellow neighborhood gardeners:

• Do your research when picking out plants.  Learn about their water and sun requirements and where they would grow best in your garden.• Don’t forget to cover tender plants such as Whale’s Tongue Agave when there is predicted ice.• Make gardening a family affair: he loves having his kids join him in the garden and they feel a sense of accomplishment as well.

We are excited to award Michael and his family the honor of winning November 2024’s Vickery Place Yard of the Month. We are grateful to Northaven Gardens for their sponsorship and providing our winner with a $50 gift card.  Congratulations to Michael, Camilla, and Rocco!