July 2026 honoree
Terry Burt
Resident since 2015
5222 Maple Springs Blvd
The Maple Springs Neighborhood Association’s Garden Club is happy to announce it’s recipient for our July “Yard of the Month”. It goes to Terry Burt who has lived at 5222 Maple Springs Blvd since 2015. He shares his 1928 built home with his three dogs, two Border Terriers, Harry & Tiebout and a Pug mix named Ernie.
It feels like a wonderful maze to get lost in.
A Longtime Dream Comes Home
As a Dallas native, Terry was aware of our Oak Lawn Heights neighborhood. When he was in his 20’s, he managed a 7/11 at the corner of Hudnall & Lemmon and would often drive through our neighborhood being charmed by it’s ambiance and atmosphere. It wasn’t 'cookie cutter’ looking homes, but great diversity in styles. Being an older neighborhood its trees were grand and mature and the gardens were all interesting. He knew then he wanted to live there one day.
Creating a Garden Retreat
After much searching, he was finally able to purchase a newly renovated home on Maple Springs Blvd. The house was in great shape, but the yard was a mess. The front yard was all mud, so he hired a landscaper who made a beautiful design layout, which Terry then planted himself. The backyard was the real treasure, which was designed by Terry. It consists of meandering, sensuous, curving paths of Oklahoma fieldstone which circles around islands of lush plants and shrubs. The center island contains a 20 ft. burgundy hearts redbud, Japanese maple and weeping yaupon. It feels like a wonderful maze to get lost in.
A Garden Filled with Favorite Plants
Terry likes to have many plants of the same specimen planted throughout his gardens. You’ll see sago palms planted in pots, as well as elephant ears, Nelly R. Stevens hollies, aspidistras, dwarf acubu and wood ferns and holly ferns. He tends to choose plants that don’t need a lot of pruning. What truly stands out in this maze are the hundreds of caladiums of different shapes, sizes and colors. Overlooking this wonderland is an architect designed one bedroom guest cottage that sits on top of his detached garage.
A Lifetime of Gardening
Now that he’s retired from 25 years with AT&T, where he designed and implemented call center technology, he can spend more time in his garden. He’s a big fan of Neal Sperry and remembers listening to him in the ‘80’s on the radio for inspiration. His mother was a great gardener and always had the best yard. She inspired him and his brothers to start their own vegetable garden when they were 10. He learned the hard way, through hands-on experience and mistakes. He did learn that no plant is sacred; if it’s not working take it out!