Front yard tabbed best in the nation

[left-of-center2012]

Kevin Prall and his husband, Layne Bennett, 63, an architectural designer, bought a house on Victoria Avenue in New Kensington, PA, in 2011. In the spring of 2012, Prall got to work on the yard, where there had been only grass, a hedge and a couple of azalea bushes.

“I knew this whole yard was going to transition,” he said. After seven years, Prall has a front yard that makes people driving by slow down, stop and stare in wonder. Now, it’s been recognized as the best front yard in America.

Prall emerged as the winner of Better Homes & Gardens’ first “America’s Best Front Yard” contest. His yard was among 10 finalists chosen from more than 900 entries.

“We wanted to celebrate our homes’ curb appeal,” Executive Editor Rachel DeSchepper said. “Our front porches and front yard gardens are the first view into your home’s creative personality and, rather than have all the beauty tucked away privately in the backyard, we wanted to showcase welcoming front yards.”

https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/new-kensington-front-yard-is-tops-in-the-nation-says-better-homes-gardens/

[redstatebluegirl]

1. It is beautiful!

We had a lot of landscaping in our yard but have slowly done away with it because neither one of us can keep up with the pruning and weeding. This is lovely!

[alittlelark]

2. I would slow down to look at that !

It is truly beautiful and inviting, but it also has a feeling of mystery as to what is behind it.

[hlthe2b]

3. Palm Trees in Pennsylvania. Marvelous!

[Sanity Claws]

4. I wonder what it looks like in January

[James48]

5. I'm sorry, but

That has absolutely no appeal to me.

All I see is a bunch of overgrown bushes that need to be removed.

[Sugarcoated]

6. Huh

I don't agree...waaay to cluttered

[lunatica]

7. I would remove the palm tree in front of the house

It hides the beautiful house which is the centerpiece. Or at least it should be. I can make out a wonderful front door which it should be shown along with the entire porch.

Other than that it’s kind of appealing, albeit a tad too much vegetation.

[Blue_playwright]

12. That was my thought! You can't see the house!

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Surely cool on a hot day, but damp in rainy Pennsylvania

Keeping those trees trimmed a nightmare too.

[3catwoman3]

9. That is a designation for which ...

...I will never be in contention. I detest yard work.

[blue neen]

10. Beautiful!

Palm trees in western PA! I love it!

[sinkingfeeling]

13. Too much. It blocks the architectural details of the house.

[TomSlick]

14. Agreed.

Too busy.

[Niagara]

15. It's too busy and cluttered

I can barely see the hanging flower basket on the right hand side of the porch. I also wouldn't want large trees that close to the house as the roots can damage the foundation, sewer lines and water pipes.


On the plus side, one could most likely get away with doing nude yoga on the front porch.

[Dagstead Bumwood]

16. Our front yard only has

A tree and a mailbox, but I'd take it over that hodge-podge any day.

[LeftInTX]

17. Global warming??

Seriously, I've heard of windmill palms surviving on Long Island, but not in Western PA....Almost his entire yard is tropical. I know lantana is not not hardy up there, yet he has a big patch. (But it can get huge as a bedding) He's got a big old duranta behind his head. (larger than mine) He's got a cordyline. He's got a bunch of coleus, which is about as hardy as tomatoes.

[Yavin4]

18. It's a little busy for my taste

The plant life competes with the appeal of the house itself. If I wanted to be surrounded like that, I would live in the forest.

[patricia92243]

19. Unbelievable - especially after seeing some of the other entries. This look like

a "before and after" house - and this one is a before.

[left-of-center2012]

20. This is the before and after