Each year, Keep Peoria Beautiful salutes the exceptional effort of homeowners and neighborhood associations with a prestigious Iris Award.
The awards are presented for outstanding landscaping and beautification of homes, gardens and neighborhoods. Applicants are judged for their overall appearance including lawns and gardens, landscaping, and site enhancements.
The 2012 Iris Award winners were announced and recognized Tuesday at the Peoria City Council meeting. Certificates were presented and each winning homeowner and neighborhood was awarded a special Keep Peoria Beautiful yard sign to display on their property. The 2012 Iris Award winners are:
1. Bill and Barbara Bedford, 828 W. South Forest Trail. This home has a large shady yard full of beautiful colors and textures. Hostas and plume poppy fill sweeping beds under mature oak trees. A white picket fence provides a backdrop to colorful perennials, while a pergola-covered gate leads to the backyard.
2. Lorraine B. Carter, 1804 W. Martin St. Her home has cheerful yellow siding and is framed by neatly trimmed shrubs. Colorful pots of annuals frame the door and line the sidewalk.
3. Cathie Crawford, 512 E. High Point Road. Crawford has made the most of her relatively small front planting area. Every inch overflows with beautiful shrubs, grasses and perennials. A lovely Oakleaf hydrangea frames the front door and inviting benches and pottery accent the plantings. Bold foliage plays off blue evergreens and airy grasses. Unique varieties make this garden a plant-lover’s paradise.
4. Jerry and Marie Hoerr, 306 E. Glen Ave. The large sweeping lawn contains unique vignettes of plants and decorations. Bird feeders, soothing fountains, and a plant palette full of texture and color make this an oasis in the city.
5. Richard Kangas, 1625 N. Bigelow St. His home is a bright spot in one of Peoria’s older neighborhoods. Dense plantings fill the yard and surround a large assortment of bird feeders and porch plants add a welcoming touch.
6. Doug Kirk, 3814 N. University St. His home provides a visual treat to motorists stopped at the busy intersection of University Street and War Memorial Drive. Pottery and planters filled with tropicals help capitalize on the small space. Cannas and coleus add color and bold foliage, while sweet potato vines drape over the porch railings.
7. Catherine Lewis, 827 W. Russell St. Her home is full of color and whimsy. The small front yard is edged with white fencing. Potted annuals frame the front porch, while unique sculptures catch the eye. Flowers in bright yellows, reds and oranges complement the house.
8. Jo Anne Richardson, 247 E. High Point Road. Layers of annuals and perennials combine to create a season-long display of color. While strategically placed garden art adds a touch of humor.
9. Ernesto and Catherina Salgado, 2407 N. Maryland St. This house has a shady side yard full of hostas, colorful annuals, and is accented with a fountain and statuary. Along the driveway and front porch, pots of many shapes and sizes contain delicate Japanese maples, artfully trimmed topiary, or colorful combinations of annuals and tropicals. They all add up to create a beautiful scene.
10. Williamsburg Neighborhood Association, Mike Bima, President. The Williamsburg Neighborhood Association has created a beautiful community with a cohesive look. Red brick sidewalks curve along the shady streets, lined with colonial-inspired brick homes and streetlights. Each front yard is lined with a split-rail fence, while the homes are surrounded by mature trees, rolling ravines and dense woods.
Speak Your Mind