Brad and Kerry Blackburn’s Wilson Street yard on Dysart’s northwest side pictured on Saturday, June 20, 2026. The Blackburns’ yard was selected as the Dysart Garden Club’s first ‘Blue Ribbon Flowers of the Month’ recipient for 2026. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

DYSART – Rooted in Americana, Brad and Kerry Blackburn’s Wilson Street yard has been chosen as the Dysart Garden Club’s first ‘Blue Ribbon Flowers of the Month’ for 2026.

“Brad and I started from scratch when we bought our house (over 23 years ago),” Kerry told the newspaper in a text-based exchange. “Which was fun because we could plan it and do whatever we came up with. Over the years we have lived here, it has grown as we add new things or update old.”

Tucked behind large maple trees on a nearly quarter-acre corner lot in the 1200 block of Wilson Street, the Blackburns’ well-kept yard is brimming with patriotism. Small U.S. flags and patriotic banners, buntings and twinkle lights tastefully dot the landscape from front to back, some featuring proudly from within potted plants, hanging baskets, and various flower beds. The small front porch hosts a pair of welcoming rocking chairs facing the street, ringed by galvanized metal tubs, planters, and watering cans – all planted with colorful annuals or bushy ferns.

Those themes continue around the side yard into the expansive backyard where a small back porch, a separate large deck complete with a gorgeous vintage drainboard sink, and a water feature home to a trio of fish all await. The backyard space is equally dressed up in Americana, but nothing is overdone; rather, a trip around the entire yard instills a sense of comfort, nostalgia and joy.

“I have always loved gardening, especially flower gardens,” Kerry said. “I like to take care of my flowers and see things grow – that’s the fun part. I especially love the bright colors. I also love finding unique kinds of plants and flowers. Try something new once in a while.”

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

While Kerry makes her gardening rounds roughly every other day during a typical summer in order to deadhead, water, weed and more, this past month has required a lot if extra maintenance due to Iowa’s chaotic weather.

“The weather has been crazy,” Kerry said. “Some of my plants got too much water while others soaked it all up. The wind can be hard on my plants, too.”

But despite the challenging weather, the Blackburns’ yard looked positively excellent this past week when the newspaper visited. Much like America on the cusp of its semiquincentennial, their yard has been nothing short of resilient this growing season – a red, white, and beautiful landscape.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The reporter’s daughter walks down the steps of the Blackburns’ secluded back porch, which features large ferns, potted colorful annuals, and hanging baskets. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER