Crader's garden earns Yard of Month honor

The bricks surrounding portions of Dick and Barb Crader's gardens are reclaimed antique street bricks made by Missouri Block in Moberly that once paved the way for travelers along High Street.
The bricks surrounding portions of Dick and Barb Crader's gardens are reclaimed antique street bricks made by Missouri Block in Moberly that once paved the way for travelers along High Street.

Iris and peonies make 5314 Tanner Bridge Road a beautiful spring garden.

The Cole County yard of Dick and Barb Crader has been named the May Yard of the Month by the Central Missouri Master Gardeners and Bittersweet Garden Club.

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"Barb has a good eye for how to place plants in her garden to get the maximum appeal," one judge said. "Just an enjoyable experience to stroll around her garden."

Judges also praised the hosta and the hard-to-grow orange poppies, the healthy lawn and the overall pristine condition.

"The variety of plants in their yard made me feel like I was in a botanical garden," another judge said.

Colorful and unique touches around the garden enhance a lawn that flows from one area to the next.

"The garden art was tasteful and added to the warmth of the gardens," a third judge said. "It was truly an awesome display of beautifully flowering spring plants with very unusual iris and peonies."

The historical brick edging provides a clean finishing touch and the use of berms provides interest for a view from the house or deck.

"I felt a sense of pride for the owners of this home," a fourth judge said. "With all the yard and so many beds to maintain, they did it right."