Parks & Recreation Department - Notable Yards 2008

INDIAN RIVER. Steve Brennan and Karen Bridges. 1503 Debbs Lane.

“We have lived in our house for 15 years, but we have only been gardening for four years,” said Steve.  “Both Karen and I enjoy working in the yard and do it all the time.”

“I feel like our yard is our outdoor room,” said Steve.  Their yard is lush with an abundance of plants and trees, yard art, and quiet places to sit and enjoy nature.  Plantings include daylilies, budelia (butterfly bush), pampas grass, elephant ears, coleus, roses, petunias, flox, bee balm, zinnias, and much more.  “My favorite plant is the Mexican petunia,”  said Steve.  “Every night it sheds all of its blooms.  The next day the bush is full of more blooms.  Last year it bloomed until December.”

On a brick patio in the backyard stands a pergola with a swing made by Steve.  Clematis and Carolina jasmine climbing on the pergola provides a cool and shady spot.

“Steve is good at dividing plants and transplanting them,” said Karen.

Butterflies, hummingbirds, songbirds, and bees share the garden with the couple.   Several birdfeeders, a birdbath, and plants (such as bee balm, budelia, and red colored plants) help to attract wildlife.