The Owners

Pictured left to right are Joe Russ, Todd Erb, Brian Kirchner and Scott Senefeld

Todd Erb  todd@sundowngardens.com Co-Owner, Landscape Division Manager and Landscape Designer Todd oversees the landscape division that includes the Landscape design and construction crews. He received his BS in Landscape Architecture from Purdue University. Working with clients to help find creative solutions for their landscaping needs provides Todd with his greatest satisfaction. He purchased the business with long time employee Brian Kirchner in 1995.

Brian Kirchner  admin@sundowngardens.com Co-Owner, Retail Division Manager and Secretary/Treasurer Brian attended Ball State and studied in the architectural program. His vast knowledge of quality nursery stock and decades of hands on experience makes him an extremely valuable asset to Sundown Gardens customers. Brian purchased the company in 1995 along with Todd Erb. His responsibilities include merchandise quality assurance and managing the nursery and garden Center Staff.

Scott Senefeld  ssenefeld@sundowngardens.com Co-Owner, Commercial Services Division Manager and Landscape Architect (RLA) As a Registered Landscape Architect, Scott’s primary role is to oversee and manage the company’s Commercial Services Division, Sundown Commercial Group. He also actively serves as client liaison and account manager for many of the company’s residential client properties. As a graduate of Purdue University’s Landscape Architecture program in 1994 and Owner since January 2011, Scott continually strives to provide his clients with creative and relevant solutions to their landscape needs.

Joe Russ Co-Owner, Groundskeeping Division Manager and Landscape Designer  jruss@sundowngardens.com Combining years of hands-on field experience and a degree in Landscape Architecture (1993, The Ohio State University) Joe provides clientele with unique and personalized landscape and groundskeeping solutions. A proactive approach and consistent communication are just two of many ways Joe insures clients will have the best looking landscapes around. He has been an owner since January 2011.

Our Experts

Meet our hands-on team of designers, managers and sales associates; these are the seasoned experts behind Sundown Gardens’ success. We look forward to getting to know you and sharing our knowledge and experience.

• David Bergman: Landscape Designer
• Jeremy Burns: Account Manager
• Les Dunn: Turf and Tree/Shrub Care Division Manager
• Cathy Haggard: Retail Sales
• Nate Jones: Irrigation Division Manager
• Anthony Korty: Landscape Designer
• Scott Levy: Landscape Designer
• Nelson Scharadin: Garden Center and Nursery Sales
• Curtis Scheller: Garden Center and Nursery Sales
• Robert Scott: Landscape Designer
• Pam Smith: Retail and Perennial Plant Sales
• Charlie Swartzell: Landscape Designer
• Regan Zink: Garden Shop Manager and Retail Sales

To contact one of our experts, please click on the name listed above. For information regarding the various services we offer or for general inquiries, please feel free to contact us at sundown@sundowngardens.com.

Our History

Earl and Dorothy Knapp started Sundown Gardens in 1949, as a specialty business growing peonies and perennials for retail sale. They grew and cultivated their plant material as cut flowers that could be purchased only by special order. Over time, they decided to sell the plants as specimens for homeowners to enjoy.

In the early 1960’s, the Knapps realized that there was a strong demand for garden related products, so in response they added a garden shop. Still today, the garden center sells nursery plants, annuals, perennials, seed, fertilizer, garden supplies and seasonal holiday items. In 1966, Stevan Knapp, Earl and Dorothy’s only child, started the landscape division. During these growing years, Earl was employed as the State Landscape Surveyor and later, he worked for the Highway division of Dow Chemical Company. After Earl passed away in 1969, Dorothy continued to oversee Sundown Gardens with Stevan’s assistance. Together Dorothy and Stevan continued to expand and grow the business and Sundown Gardens continued to prosper.

To complete the full service package that Sundown Gardens could offer, a landscape maintenance division was added in 1993. This offered clientele a wide array of services to choose from and the ability to create a customized groundskeeping plan for their properties. In 1995, Dorothy and Stevan retired and a few long-standing employees were given the opportunity to purchase the company.

Today, the current ownership along with a dedicated team of knowledgeable and skilled experts, continues the Sundown Gardens tradition. The recent start of our Commercial Services Division and the expansion of existing services in turf and tree/shrub care, irrigation and hardscape installation further provide Sundown Gardens clientele with customized groundskeeping and landscaping solutions for their properties.