Mike and Connie Foor were the grand prize winners of the 2014 Noblesville Preservation Alliance’s Denzel Hufford Garden Contest. The couple received an outdoor garden marker and $200 for their superb garden at 875 S. Ninth St.
Judges stated that the Foor’s well-maintained garden “had great use of plants, particularly in shaded areas. The pond was especially appealing, both in its design and upkeep.” Connie said she gets great pleasure in knowing where each plant came from, as through the years it has grown through cuts taken from places they previously lived and from friends and family.
Runners-up were Ginger Hamilton of 307 S. Ninth St. and Ken Hebel of 1194 Cherry St. Each received $50 gift certificates to Garden Thyme at the Old Schoolhouse. The awards were made possible by an anonymous NPA family with NPA matching funds.
Hamilton’s organic cottage garden is lush with old-fashioned flowers. She strives to always have pink, blue, white, and soft yellow blooms throughout the growing season. It is Ginger’s first garden, learning from trial and error. She often can be found reading in a “secret garden area.”
Officials said Hebel’s garden illustrates great curb appeal, playing up the red, white and blue. The judges recognized his effort to create beauty from a blank slate as he’s only lived there for two years. His creativity is revealed through his conversion of a swing set into an arbor.
The judges said each of the winners made good use of hardscape items such as rocks, bricks and stone animals. These items brought out the color of their surroundings, added to themes and never overwhelmed the natural beauty of the plants.
Adele Dodd, daughter of the late Denzel Hufford, assisted the NPA in presenting the award. Hufford was well known and appreciated for her gardening skills. Also judging with Dodd were a Hamilton County Master Gardener, a Noblesville Preservation Alliance member, a member of Keep Noblesville Beautiful, and a former winner.
