Lorie and Howard Allen's home is a winner and a certified wildlife spot

After the 2009 derecho, Lorie and Howard Allen's yard grew into a mass of vines and weeds.

"This summer, I decided it was time to get back to the garden and, hopefully, eliminate some mosquitoes along the way," said Lorie, who spent hundreds of hours transforming her yard on West Sycamore Street in Carbondale.

Both Lorie and Howard retired from SIU; Lorie was in workforce education and development, and Howard taught history.

With the help of an SIU zoology student, Lorie removed two dozen truckloads of weeds, vines and sticks. Howard praised them for their efforts, but that was about it. When it comes to gardening, he considers himself a spectator.

"My old garden's structure was revealed. This lovely perennial bed was hidden under weeds and overgrown plants," Lorie said. "It was a surprise to get up on the roof and look out over a much neater landscape."

She said the yard, which sits on six city lots, is home to more than 20 species of birds and several species of frogs and toads, along with snakes and box turtles. Deer and foxes pass through the garden, she added, and red-shouldered hawks soar overhead.

One of Lorie's most unpleasant childhood memories involves removing clover from the grass in her grandmother's yard.

"I vowed then never to worry about grass," Lorie said. "I'd rather pull weeds than mow."

Now, her garden is filled with daffodils, tulips, irises, daylilies and peonies, which seem to keep the oak leaf hydrangeas and azaleas company. Most of her trees are oak, interspersed with holly, cedar, crabapple and witch-hazel.

Small statues -- an alligator, cherub and Buddha -- peek out of the greenery, and stone walkways wind through the backyard. One of Lorie's favorite places is the fire pit.

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Lorie and Howard Allen's home is a winner and a certified wildlife spot