Ever-changing palette of color in Bullhook Blossoms featured yard

Story and photos from Bullhook Blossoms Garden Club

Near the apex of Second Avenue is a profusion of floral color, textures, height and plant varieties mixed with various sizes of interesting rocks and graced with a few deciduous trees chosen as Bullhook Blossoms Garden Club featured yard.

Chip Smith had a vision immediately when he purchased the sandstone brick house and, in its second growing season, has created a "Mountain Meadow effect" on the plains of north-central Montana. Utilizing perennials and annuals he has designed an ever-changing palette of color.

When you drive by and Chip is in the yard, stop! He welcomes guests and loves to talk about his vast knowledge of flora information. He can give you the common name and the scientific name of each flower. Chip has had a passion for plants since his college days and it is evident in his presentation at 803 Second Ave. In his earlier days he owned a nursery in Billings.

Basically, he has developed an uneven terrain of flowers and interesting rocks from a farm at Gildford. Chip says the key to his prolific garden is the "soil." He brought in 30 yards of compost from his former residence in Billings. The weed-free garden is a play of color, a work in progress and a labor of love that is enjoyed by Chip and Carmen. Tall burgundy bee balm, buzzing with bees, dominates the eye. His favorite is daphne, a small sturdy plant with variegated tiny leaves. Balloon flowers, orange California fuchsia, red Mexican hat, scabiosa, orange sterolacia, blanket flower, wine cups - commonly known as poppy mallow - and more live in harmony in the small front yard. Some varieties, surprisingly, thrive in Havre.