Congratulations to Rudy and Jean Ann Gonzales, our Junius Heights Historic District Yard of the Month awardees for October, 2025.

Rudy and Jean Ann are the exception to the several recent Yard of the Month winners who have been transplants from across town or from other states. They and their daughter, Cali, have lived in their home at 714 Dumas Street for over 30 years.

Their brick Craftsman house was one of three in a row belonging to three sisters. Already there renting, when Rudy and Jean Ann learned that their neighbor wanted to sell the property, they purchased it in 1995. Other than updating the electrical wiring and replacing the carpet, they kept the original floor plan, which includes the screened-in porch.

A former Dallas fireman, Rudy retired in 2015 after serving the city for 38 years. Since then, he has continued serving through his steady involvement in firefighting and police organizations, advocating for those who have been injured or suffer from PTSD. In a generous and neighborly gesture, Rudy also helps the lady across the street every two weeks by mowing the lawn and keeping her hedges trimmed.

Rudy lovingly tends to his own garden, selecting only those plants that thrive in the harsh afternoon sun from the west. Conscious of water preservation, and with no sprinkler system, he chooses plants that require the least amount of water. Chief among these hardy perennials is red and orange lantana to one side of the front steps, and a profusion of lavender colored salvia on the right. Bees and butterflies are abundant. Next to the salvia is a pink rock rose, and a fast-growing pecan tree grown from a seedling sits in one of Rudy’s pots. A watermelon pink Crepe Myrtle stands at the edge of the property, surrounded by bright red Canna Lilies.

Jean Ann takes care of seasonal color and decorations. Her Halloween flag flaps happily above the many potted flowers. Potted Chrysanthemums, snapdragons, Celosia, and Dianthus bloom in profusion on each of the front steps, adding color and variety. A lovely white climbing rose adds to the pleasing effect.

As the summer wanes, maintaining flowering plants can become difficult, but with a judicious mix of colorful perennials, Rudy and Jean Ann’s yard will see them into fall and winter. Kudos to the Gonzaleses for growing a selection of native plants while practicing water conservation.