Martinsburg Mayor's Bubblegum Petunias a Welcome Summer Sight

Summertime in the Cove means farmers working their fields, lush green rolling hills as far as the eye can see, and for travelers on South Market Street in Martinsburg, the pink hill of Supertunia Vista Bubblegum, commonly referred to as Bubblegum petunias, in front of the home of Mayor Richard Brantner Sr.

Every Spring, Brantner makes his rounds to Piney Creek Greenhouse, Brubaker Greenhouse and Spring Farm Greenhouse to purchase more than 200 Bubblegum petunias that when in full bloom, add a splash of pink to the surrounding greenery.

"I buy them here to support our local greenhouses," Brantner said.

While Branter doesn't recall how long he has been planting the Bubblegum petunias, he remembers where he got the inspiration.

"I got my start and was inspired by a member of the "Greatest Generation," Roy Rhodes, who was my next-door neighbor," Brantner said. "He planted pink waves all over his property and people marveled at the beauty of them."

Planting more than 200 petunias may seem like a daunting task, but for Brantner, it is a labor of love, not only in the satisfaction he feels by creating a beautiful landscape, but also for the joy it brings other people.

"It gives me great joy to stand back and admire the beauty that God and I created," Brantner said. "I enjoy them as much as the public does."

Just how much the public enjoys seeing Brantners Bubblegum petunias was never more evident than last year, when for the first time since he began planting, hip replacement surgery forced him to take the year off.

While wishing him well in his recovery, people expressed how much they missed seeing his petunia display.

"I have always received compliments, but I had no idea that there were so many who actually took notice," Brantner said. "I would have a few occasions over the years when strangers would stop and knock on the door and ask if they could take some photos of the flowers."

Brantner said he normally starts planting in the early part of May, keeping a close eye on frost warnings. He said they are normally in full bloom sometime in August.

"When they get the prettiest then you know summer is almost over and winter is near," he said. "In the fall, usually in September, I pull them. Then come spring I go back to the greenhouses and buy more and start over."

Branter said knowing his Bubblegum petunias brighten people's day motivates him to continue the tradition each year, but he doesn't take all the credit.

"I guess you could say that this is my summer stress reliever. I enjoy the time in planting and just maintaining them," he said. "However, I tell people that I water them and maintain them, but it is God who created the real beauty."