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A drought-tolerant, low-maintenance garden Tika and Chuck Squires [Photo by Larry Rosengren] Monday May 22, 2017 at 7:52 PM May 22, 2017 at 7:52 PM By Ruth Sloan Ashland Garden Club Tika Squires says that “the garden is my child,” meaning that she had to persuade her husband to have professionals design and maintain it. The beautiful garden she shares with husband, Chuck, at 195 Van Ness St. is the Ashland Garden Club’s Garden of the Month for May. Tika says she is “a gardener in my imagination.” She clearly has a flair and style that is reflected in the house and garden. The Squires purchased the property in 1999. The previous owner had developed a lovely garden, too, but it was labor-intensive. As part of the award-winning process of rebuilding the garage (with living-space over it) five years ago, they had Kerry KenCairn redesign the surrounding hardscape and garden to the left of the driveway. Installation, including the spectacular stone walls, was done by Solid Ground Landscape.  Later, Solid Ground replanted the parking strip with drought-tolerant vegetation, adding to the double-blooming, non-bearing cherry trees planted by the previous owner; rebuilt the front stairs and terrace; and changed the plantings in front of those stairs and terrace. Ultimately, Solid Ground also installed a graceful patio in back, edged by yews on one side and English laurel on the other to create a private retreat. The Squires always specified low-maintenance gardens, and Tika says that the “only fussing we do in the garden is the fussing we choose to do.” In front on the left, an almond tree was spared and a fig tree has been allowed to sprout. On the south side of the garage, an espaliered apple tree thrives. A heritage butterfly bush graces the south side of the house. Other notable plants include Japanese maple, magnolia, red oak, euphorbia, camellia, flowering plum, barberry, iris, rosemary, lilac, lily of the valley, tulips, clematis and honeysuckle. The overall effect is very inviting. The Ashland Garden Club has been selecting Gardens of the Month, from April through September, since 2000. Nominations are gratefully received at [email protected]. Check out the club’s website at ashlandorgardenclub.wordpress.com, or come to the meetings at 12:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month, October through May, at the Community Center on Winburn Way. Ruth Sloan is a member of the Ashland Garden Club.