Maintaining a Yard Together: Dennis and Tomi Bang Awarded Yard of the Week

To find the immaculate in the dead-of-July heat, one need not go any further than Tomi and Dennis Bang's home, our current Yard of the Week. But its pristine and delightful appearance are only one side of the story behind the selection. Sweat and dedication sum up the rest. “They are always spending so much time in their yard. Tomi spends hours on her flowers so everyone can enjoy them,” reads one nomination The Chronicle received on the couple's behalf.

The front yard is laden with favorites of the Bangs. “We love a variety of zinnias, verbena, and petunias, because they are so colorful and thrive in the sun and heat,” explained Tomi. “We have other favorites, but do not know their names. We just wander through the nursery each spring and look for bright, colorful, and happy flowers.”

Decorative potted plants dot the driveway and porch. “When planting the pots, we place colors close together to achieve a bright, happy presentation when fully grown,” said Tomi. “Our favorite combination is red, purple, and yellow. We love hummingbirds, so we try to find varieties to attract them.”

Varieties have shifted according to a changing landscape. As the tree they planted in a flower garden spot out front has branched out, they have had to alter the plant-life beneath it from the sun-seeking kind to those that thrive in the shade. “That has been hard, because we like varieties that take full sun more,” Tomi said. “But we are adapting.”

Along with the flower-filled pots and plants, the Bangs have added stones, fountains, and statues depicting adoring figures into the scene. “We love Lake Powell and the red sandstone,” said Tomi, “so a few years ago we decided to incorporate that look by replacing the front flower bed with redish-colored rock and flower pots to give us the Lake Powell feel while at home in Payson.

“Each statue is of a boy and girl together and, to us, they represent maintaining our yard together. Dennis does the lawn care and I do the flower care. We spend about ten hours a week.”

Kudos to Dennis and Tomi Bang, whose labor of love provides pleasure to those who pass by their home in Payson.

Be sure to nominate a favorite local place for consideration as an upcoming Yard of the Week award recipient. Send the nominee's name, address, and phone number to paysonchronicle@gmail.com. Be sure also to see photos detailing the current and past Yard of the Week winners.