Charlie and Claudia Goodin love the water. It's where they met.
It's also the focal point of their backyard oasis on Yorktown Drive in Jefferson City, recognized as the August Yard of the Month by the Bittersweet Garden Club and Central Missouri Master Gardeners selection committee.
A five-tier water fountain can be seen from the residential street, framed by their rustic redwood and brick home's breezeway. But it's the sound of the water streaming from the large fountain and its accompanying fish sculpture, as well as a lion's head fountain in a secluded patio, that's the real feature of this waterscape.
"We like sitting in our little chairs and having coffee and listening to the water," Claudia said.
The focal point pours into a pond, home to goldfish and lily pads.
The lion's head fountain sits in an alcove, painted with faux brick by Claudia, onto a two-story, poured cement retaining wall.
A series of anchored walls helped manage the steeply inclined backyard into thick woods.
The Goodins were among the very first to live in the subdivision that now has a through-street to St. Mary's Hospital. In the last 35 years, they have loved their home enough to invest in the significant water drainage systems and terracing to create their view, reminiscent of an Italian garden scene, another judge said.
They've dug ditches, jack-hammered limestone and carried tons of rock to get where they are. The hardscape took 18 months to install throughout.
"The tastefully-done high and lower retaining walls were done very well to make this difficult lot into a truly beautiful garden and place of repose," a judge said.
Since 1998, they've been filling in with plants and features.
"It's really ongoing," Charlie said.
Claudia is fond of her black-eyed Susans and coneflowers, which bloom along the hillside. And the use of hanging plants like phlox and ivy do well over the many edges in this backyard.
"It's a lot of work, but it's enjoyable," Claudia said.
A concrete stairway leads down from the dyed-concrete patio to a vegetable garden, too.
The couple are fond of their swing sitting under the wooded canopy near the back of the yard.
"A wonderful touch is the swing at the apex of the hill, which allows the owners to rest in the shade of the trees and enjoy the pleasure of viewing their really spectacular yard below," a judge said.
To nominate a yard for Yard of the Month, send an email to [email protected].