Home on Greg Lane earns Bright Spot Award

Botanical bursts of color greet visitors at this month's Bright Spot Award winner, located at 206 Greg Lane.

The Kolay family - Prabir, Sumita and Arkaprabha - have a skillfully planned front landscape. Along the walk-up to the house are shoulder-high orange canna plants skirted by clean-cut boxwood bushes and hanging planters with cascades of purple draping over the sides.

On the right side of the walk-up, clay planter pots have fountain-tiered layers of vivid annual flowers. Rock garden features border the path.

The Kolays estimate they dedicate about 10 to 15 hours a week during the growing season to management of their lawn.

"The choice of plants is important," primary gardener Samita says. She finds a way to make her landscaping work despite pesky deer during the growing season. Deer-resistant plants such as dusty miller and marigolds are planted to protect two mid-sized trees, a flowering plum and a prairie crabapple.

For plants that are not resistant to deer, such as petunias and hostas, a net covers them in the evening, helped along with a little deer repellent spray.

The Kolay family moved to Carbondale from Calcutta in 2012. Prabir is a professor of engineering, and Sumita is pursuing a degree in administrative work. Reflections of their homeland can be seen in their selection of plants, particularly the orange cassandra, the delicate vine aparajita (Asian Pigeonwing), and edible flora including curry leaves, plants and herbs, and Tulsi, or holy basil.

The Keep Carbondale Beautiful Board selects businesses or residences to receive the Bright Spot Award. To make a nomination, call 618-525-5525 or email keepcb1326@gmail.com.