Garden-Lou Spotlights the Garden of Bill and Colleen Brannan

It’s the type of water feature that’s heard before it’s seen.

Imagine a narrow, hosta-lined walk that leads you toward the sound of water cascading over stones, building anticipation with every step. Once you reach an intimate patio nook, the ‘wow factor’ hits you full force. A 13’ high waterfall with massive limestone boulders flowing down the cliff-like hillside drowns out all other noise. Bill and Colleen Brannan’s patio and screened in porch offer a front-row seat on all the sounds and action. The impressive water feature is also viewed from the large, dining room window, making it a dramatic backdrop to family dinners.

Nature’s Re-Creations recently added the pondless water feature to the Brannan garden after replacing a leaky pond and waterfall, but there’s more to this garden than an impressive water feature. At just under one acre, the rest of the garden is full of mature trees, colorful blooms, and lots, and lots, of stone steps. The stonework alone is a breathtaking work of art, winding throughout the entire property, front and back, up and down. Add the many paths and stairs with Colleen’s natural talent for color combinations and you have a garden that makes you want to stay a while and absorb it all, one beautifully laid step at a time.

*Construction photo courtesy of Collen Brannan*

“The mornings are my favorite time of the day,” says Colleen. “First thing in the morning, as the sun shines on the wet plants, the sun glistens. It is beautiful. Everyone likes it, but I truly am the only one that gets into it. When it is time to show it off, my entire family loves to do that.” The Brannan clan were all on deck during the last Pond-O-Rama Garden Tour to help assist tour-goers around the steep property. This year was the second year for the Brannans on Pond-O-Rama. Their garden has also been featured on the Chalily SPLASH Pond Tour and in Country Living Magazine.

“Gardening is truly my first passion, as hobbies go. My family and business keep me busy,” says Colleen. Her ‘business’ is the family owned P’Sghetti’s restaurant which is what brought them to the Sunset Hills area when looking for a home.

With a garden this size, there’s bound to be problems and plenty of hard work. According to Colleen, “Our biggest trouble spot has been the water from the neighbors’ yards, which are all uphill from us. Early on, we put in a dry creek bed that routed the rainwater down the creek bed and between our house and the neighbor. Recently we finished the end of the creek bed to catch the rainwater and direct it to a faux waterfall, which then is routed between the two properties.“

Colleen hand bags about 175-200 bags in the Fall. “I also trim all of the perennials to get ready for spring. In the Spring, I get rid of the remainder of leaves; another 20-25 bags. I get mulch every other year before the hostas start to show.” Collen hits the nurseries as soon as annuals start arriving. “I have about 60 pots I plant with annuals. Once it warms up, usually the first of May, I spend 30-40 hours a week in the yard. Along with trimming hedges, etc. my days are full. Around the end of June, things slow down as far as planting. Deadheading, trimming, spraying for deer and rabbits, etc. take about one to four hours three days a week. I find such joy in gardening. Sometimes, I think it is a sickness, and can’t believe how much I get into it. I feel that it is better for my health and well-being than anything else I do.”

Quick Facts;

Size of Garden-just under 1 acre.

Year Garden Started-We have lived in our home since June, 2000. Our projects started in 2003.

Favorite gardening tool?

-I use the Cutco Garden Tools. I have had them for many years. They are always sharp and easy to clean.

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have ONE plant to keep you company, what would it be? Doesn’t have to be a food-bearing plant since this island has a free buffet!

-My grandmother’s roses. Before she passed, she tried to make sure all of her grandchildren had one of her starts from her prized climbing roses. She had about 50 grandchildren. These roses are at least 90 years old. They are my favorite, by far.