Peabody yard blossoms under care of Don Jones
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
People driving by Don and Kay Jones' house at 711 Maple, Peabody, tend to slow down when they see the picturesque foliage and flowers in their yard. Sometimes people stroll through the yard on foot.
The couple doesn't mind. In fact, they are proud of their yard and appreciate when people take note of it.
"I could build a fence, but I don't like fences," Don said, "and I don't mind if people want to walk through the yard."
The couple has owned the place for 14 years and have put a lot of time and effort into transforming it into the beautiful garden it is today.
The large expanse is dotted with many flower and shrub beds bordered by limestone rocks.
"We plant everything for birds and butterflies," Don said.
Purple coneflowers are prevalent as are butterfly bush, butterfly milkweed, a variety of daisies, and many kinds of grasses.
A portico with an open roof built out from a garage is covered with vines such as Virginia Creeper, Porcelain, and Red Honeysuckle, which attract hummingbirds and orioles.
Wintergreen covers the ground under the portico and provides a place for frogs and toads. The shelter is a haven for birds.
The portico is lighted with small, red, jalapeno-shaped bulbs at night.
Two years ago, Don put in a waterfall and pond with the help of two grandsons who live next door, Dylan Jones, 15, and Sean Jones, 16.
Sean designed it and spent a lot of time helping build it. It is lined with limestone rocks and various kinds of grasses.
The tank is fiberglass and is stocked with goldfish. The water is kept clean with the use of a biological tank at the head of the pond which filters bacteria into the pond to control algae.
In addition, Japanese snails and fresh-water clams keep the sides of the tank clean. Plants such as water hyacinths and water lilies also aid in keeping the water clear.
The pond is heated in the wintertime, so the Joneses are able to enjoy it all year long.
Three other moving-water features are in the yard, including a small bubbly fountain created especially for butterflies. The water bubbles onto a rock surface.
Don uses no insecticides for fear of accidentally killing the fish in the pond and destroying beneficial insects. Toads and frogs are plentiful and help to control insect populations.
At least seven pine trees are scattered throughout the yard, including white pine, Scotch pine, and Austrian pine. They were acquired from a Christmas tree farm and were 14 feet tall when they were planted.
Birds like to nest in them, and they provide filtered shade for certain types of shrubs and flowers.
Most of the plants are perennials. Hummingbirds like the trumpet vine. Bee balm is great for bees, as is autumn clematis. In wintertime, birds like the seeds of northern sea oats and the berries on the pyracantha bushes.
At this time of the year, Don and Kay are receiving an influx of monarchs and many other kinds of butterflies.
A canopied swing and several benches scattered throughout the yard provide places where the couple can sit and observe their handiwork and the creatures it has attracted.
Don puts out extra feed for the birds, bees, and butterflies. He provides black oil sunflower seeds, shelled and whole peanuts, and regular sunflower seeds, among others.
He protects hummingbird feeders from ants by putting marking chalk on mounting posts.
To keep everything well watered, and to be able to afford it, Don drilled a water well especially for the yard. Plants are mulched and soaker hoses and sprinklers are used to distribute the water.
Don is a retired postmaster, and Kay works at Peabody State Bank. Don said she likes the fish and helps with pruning dead leaves from plants.
"Our three grandsons next door are a ton of help," Don said. "We are fortunate to have them next door."
They keep the grass mowed and help move things around when needed. Dylan and Sean's brother, Anthony, is 18 and a senior in high school.
Don said he got his love of gardening from his grandma, Etta Hett. "Ett," as she affectionately was called, always had a yard full of flowers and a big garden, and that continued when his grandparents moved to Billings Street in Marion.
Don followed in her footsteps, creating beautiful landscapes wherever the couple has lived.
