< Previous20 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2024 FEATURE ‘A MAJOR TRANSFORMATION’ When Lana Mehrtens bought her Galves- ton home nine years ago, the interior already had been remodeled. But the yard was “a mess,” she said. “We’ve had a major transformation here,” she said. Outdoor living is what Galveston is all about to her. And she has made her com- pact yard, divided into several “zones,” an extension of her house and the center of her social entertaining. Mehrtens has a series of decks off the back of the house with seating for small or large groups. Some of the areas are covered, others are open to the sunshine and rain. A large wind chime in the corner provides a constant melody that competes with song- birds and other nature sounds. Her yard has a winding path along the side of the house, with beds of Asiatic jasmine and blooming star jasmine lining the trail that leads to a small table for more intimate conversations. Once inside the open yard, there are more than 80 plumeria plants in pots, which she hand waters and (Clockwise from left) Lana Mehrtens and her dog, Scout, enjoy spending time in the back yard of her Galveston home. She created a number of seating areas surrounded by colorful tropical flowers, includ- ing several varieties of plumeria; pink flamingos are tucked into the garden beds throughout her backyard; Mehrtens tends to more than 80 plumeria plants in pots throughout her yard. (Opposite, clockwise from left) A wall of star jasmine blooms along the west side of the yard. Mehrtens transformed the space into a tropical oasis with several seating areas for large or small groups; a large umbrella shades a hammock and Adirondack chairs; Mehrtens installed a small greenhouse in her backyard to protect her many plants; the wall of the garage is a canvas for Meh- rtens’ creativity. Inspired by graffiti artists, she spray paints thoughts and positive messages on the wall. COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2024 21 fertilizes all summer. A glass-enclosed greenhouse has another few dozen plumeria cuttings, along with other bud- ding plants. Yard art — flamingos, bird baths, butterfly baths and an outdoor shower — populate the different areas. And in the deepest part of the yard, in an isolated area walled in by the garage and fence, is a butterfly garden and a giant graffiti wall. Mehrtens un- leashes her creative spirit and thoughts and expresses her feelings on this wall, which is private and she alone can see, until friends visit. “No negative feelings are expressed here,” she said. “It’s whatever I want to say.” Her yard is where she hosts parties, at least two big ones each year. She works hard after the winter to get her yard cleaned up and ready for the summer. “Everything should be blooming again soon,” she said. PHOTOS: J e NNIF e R R e YNOLDS22 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2024 FEATURE A PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT Brian and Helen Smith, owners of what is known as the Smith-Hartley House built in 1876, have created an outdoor oasis they enjoy year-round. Shortly after purchasing their Gal- veston home in 2020, they built a garage and entertainment pavilion adorned with a cupola similar to that atop the main house. These new structures, which now occupy space originally used for a carriage house, frame private gath- ering places for friends and family. The Smith-Hartley Home was recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 2019 and has been featured in the Galveston Historical Foundation’s Historic Homes Tour. Galves- ton architect Thomas J. Overmier designed this Italianate home for real estate developer James Mayrant Smith, who then sold it to Susan C. Hartley in 1881. Brian and Helen Smith took extra care to Helen and Brian Smith created an outdoor oasis shortly after they purchased the historic Smith-Hartley House in Galveston. They wanted a space they could enjoy year- round. (Opposite, clockwise from top left) A screened-in porch leads to a spacious entertainment area, complete with a heated swimming pool; the entertainment pavilion features a cupola similar to that atop the main house; a cozy nook offers a great spot for morning coffee. PHOTOS: ST u ART VILLAN ue VA COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2024 23 incorporate architectural features that match the original design of their historic home, such as dentils, corbels and the pavilion cupola. What else makes their outdoor oasis so visually attractive and so inviting? For starters, a heated swimming pool, fire pit, barbecue grill, ample seating, tropical landscaping and one of the popular “Turtles about Town.” Add tasty foods and beverages, great conversation, smiles and laughter, and the Smiths instantly have a party ranging in size from two to 30. “I am not a beach guy,” Brian said. “I wanted a pool. We call it our ‘cocktail pool.’ And we wanted to create an outdoor enter- tainment area that Helen and I could enjoy year-round with our family and friends — even if it is 40 degrees outside. It is relaxing and comfortable.” The Smiths have repurposed the area on the property that was “just a big pile of grass” and have completely transformed it into their own private resort on Galveston Island. Both enjoy do-it-yourself-landscap- ing and rely on the pros only for trimming their palm trees. Hibiscus, esperanza and bougainvillea plants surround the outdoor spaces, which are thriving after the winter freeze with Brian and Helen’s care. 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Free 2-Hour Street Parking Feta Salad with Grilled Chicken or Seasoned Seared Tofu26 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2024 FEATURE A RESILIENT ROSE These flowers blooming all around the coast are reminders of survival and renewal story and photos by BARBARA CANETTI I f ever there was a flower that stood for remarkable resiliency, renewal and rebirth, it’s the rambling Peggy Martin rose, which is symbol of survival. The bright pink cluster of flowers, with white high- lights and golden eyes, can be seen this sum- mer everywhere around the upper Texas coast, climbing fences, walls, trellises and garden gates. The slightly musty-scented flower grows in clumps of blooms, but its thornless tentacles climb every which way, making it a perfect year-round plant for gardens and yards. The plant loves the heat, craves the sunshine, doesn’t need too much water or fertilizer and ignores freezes and cold temperatures. It’s a robust, resistant and hardy plant and one of the best examples of a pass-along. It’s easy to grow, easier to propagate and requires a trim only when the branch- es get out of control. And it blooms in the spring and fall, making it a colorful delight in any garden. The story behind this mys- tery flower is worth retelling. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005 devastated New Orleans and eastern Louisiana, M.J. and Peggy Martin returned to their home of 32 years to find it gone, along with M.J.’s fishing boat, their vast garden of 450 roses and all of their belongings. Sadly, Peggy’s elderly parents also perished in the storm. But, hiding behind the barn at the former house in Plaque- mines Parish, southeast of New Orleans, was a soft pink bloom from an unknown variety of rose. Peggy had grown it from a cutting given to her by her hairdresser. This courageous rose, which had been submerged for two weeks under 20 feet of saltwater, not only lived — it thrived and continued to bloom. Her friend William Welch, a horticulturalist at Texas A&M University, took some cuttings, did the research and found it had no classification. So, it was named the Peggy Martin rose after the woman who found it clinging to her fence. In the past two decades since Katrina, cuttings of this plant have been shared and passed-along, making it one of the most popular rose plants in the region. To propagate the rose, cut an 8- to 12-inch stalk from a healthy branch, dip it in rooting hormone (optional), stick it in a pot of well- drained soil and wait six to 10 weeks. New growth will appear, roots will emerge and the plant is ready for the garden. It still is a mystery of how this plant survived, but it’s cher- ished as a wonderful tale of tenacious resilience. COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2024 27 Bright pink clusters of Peggy Martin roses bloom along a fence in a Galveston neighborhood. A true Southern belle, the Peggy Martin rose tolerates heat with beauty and poise. It’s one of the easiest climbing roses to care for.TheGrand.com 409.765.1894 2020 Postoffice Street, Galveston Saturday, July 20 | 8 PM Saturday, August 10 | 8 PM Saturday, July 6 | 3 PM & 8 PM Adult Content. Not suitable for children under 16. Saturday, August 3 | 8 PMNext >