2025 Yard of the Year Winner - Dave Brake
by Sue Frisbee and Debbie Hegyi
Each summer, the Villa Hills Garden Club holds its annual Yard of the Year contest. Gardens may be nominated by friends, neighbors, or family members. Club members are then treated to the opportunity to tour these stunning yards, each a testament to countless hours of dedication and careful upkeep. We’d like to recognize all of this year’s nominees. Selecting a single winner was no easy task— each garden reflected the homeowner’s unique vision and carefully chosen combination of plants and design.
Congratulations to our winner – Dave Brake! The Brakes were among the first to build on their street, more than thirty-four years ago. Dave shared that they wanted to create an inviting entrance and decided on a beautiful curving driveway, They worked around the existing landscape, most notably the stately box elder tree at the corner of the drive. Dave recalls that they began with a simple vision, and through plenty of trial and error (plus countless trips to the nursery), they gradually shaped it into the beautiful garden you see today.
From the street, a striking mound comes into view, featuring Poplar trees, Japanese blood grass, holly bushes, a lace-leaf maple, and a graceful weeping Redbud. As you make your way up the drive and along the path to the front door, you're welcomed by coral bells, globe evergreens, mountain laurels, ferns, and large, showy astilbe. The front door is perfectly framed by two vibrant pots of red geraniums, adding a cheerful finishing touch.
Dave’s pride and joy is the tri-colored beech tree he brought back from Virginia twelve years ago. He explained that it surprises him every year with the leaves never looking quite the same way twice. Some years, the leaves lean toward a silvery gray, but this year, he said, they were a brilliant mix of pink and red.
Dave mentioned his love of rock—and it’s obvious in the artful way he incorporates stone into his walkways and garden accents. As we follow the path (stone, naturally) past the house, we come upon a charming bench and carefully placed commemorative stones; a quiet area dedicated to the memory of his wife, Cindy’s, parents. This beautiful area is set against a backdrop of oakleaf hydrangea and two striking shamrock plants
As we continue along the meandering stone path, we step into the beautiful, spacious backyard and are greeted by three young Brandywine maple trees. Dave explained that he had to remove the Poplars that once shaded their deck for years, and chose the Brandywines as replacements. Although these maples are growing quickly, they haven’t yet provided the shade they’re used to. Because of this, Dave has been experimenting with various sun-loving plants. Among his choices are some very attractive azaleas, liriope, and allium. He also enjoys using pots creatively throughout the garden, appreciating not only their look but also the ease of not having to “fight” with the soil.
On the deck itself, several large shamrock plants share space with pots of vibrant hot pink geraniums that perfectly complement the colors of the deck chairs, creating another welcoming spot to sit and soak in the tranquility. As you continue to the other side of the deck, you’ll find another stone pathway, lined with luscious spirea, liriope, a hanging pot of trailing vinca, and a striking variegated Yucca plant.
As you stroll through this lovely garden, Dave’s passion for gardening is both visible and deeply felt. “My love for gardening comes from my father,” Dave shared. “It seems to run in the family—my siblings enjoy tending their gardens too, and my brother even owns a nursery in Virginia.” Congratulations once again to the Brakes!
Congratulations to our winner – Dave Brake! The Brakes were among the first to build on their street, more than thirty-four years ago. Dave shared that they wanted to create an inviting entrance and decided on a beautiful curving driveway, They worked around the existing landscape, most notably the stately box elder tree at the corner of the drive. Dave recalls that they began with a simple vision, and through plenty of trial and error (plus countless trips to the nursery), they gradually shaped it into the beautiful garden you see today.
From the street, a striking mound comes into view, featuring Poplar trees, Japanese blood grass, holly bushes, a lace-leaf maple, and a graceful weeping Redbud. As you make your way up the drive and along the path to the front door, you're welcomed by coral bells, globe evergreens, mountain laurels, ferns, and large, showy astilbe. The front door is perfectly framed by two vibrant pots of red geraniums, adding a cheerful finishing touch.
Dave’s pride and joy is the tri-colored beech tree he brought back from Virginia twelve years ago. He explained that it surprises him every year with the leaves never looking quite the same way twice. Some years, the leaves lean toward a silvery gray, but this year, he said, they were a brilliant mix of pink and red.
Dave mentioned his love of rock—and it’s obvious in the artful way he incorporates stone into his walkways and garden accents. As we follow the path (stone, naturally) past the house, we come upon a charming bench and carefully placed commemorative stones; a quiet area dedicated to the memory of his wife, Cindy’s, parents. This beautiful area is set against a backdrop of oakleaf hydrangea and two striking shamrock plants
As we continue along the meandering stone path, we step into the beautiful, spacious backyard and are greeted by three young Brandywine maple trees. Dave explained that he had to remove the Poplars that once shaded their deck for years, and chose the Brandywines as replacements. Although these maples are growing quickly, they haven’t yet provided the shade they’re used to. Because of this, Dave has been experimenting with various sun-loving plants. Among his choices are some very attractive azaleas, liriope, and allium. He also enjoys using pots creatively throughout the garden, appreciating not only their look but also the ease of not having to “fight” with the soil.
On the deck itself, several large shamrock plants share space with pots of vibrant hot pink geraniums that perfectly complement the colors of the deck chairs, creating another welcoming spot to sit and soak in the tranquility. As you continue to the other side of the deck, you’ll find another stone pathway, lined with luscious spirea, liriope, a hanging pot of trailing vinca, and a striking variegated Yucca plant.
As you stroll through this lovely garden, Dave’s passion for gardening is both visible and deeply felt. “My love for gardening comes from my father,” Dave shared. “It seems to run in the family—my siblings enjoy tending their gardens too, and my brother even owns a nursery in Virginia.” Congratulations once again to the Brakes!
