The sharp decline of Tom and Millie Jones' Summers Way wooded backyard naturally lent itself to a man-made waterfall.
A slight natural spring made it difficult to keep a dry lawn, so they started with a willow tree and some other plantings.
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UALR's applied arts studio.
UALR renovated an old shopping center into a well-equipped applied arts studio, including a woodworking studio.
Four years ago, they made the dramatic transition to a stone-lined water feature, which provides a pleasing sound, as well as view, from the retired couple's second-floor covered deck.
Subsequently, they added a dry creek bed to catch the stormwater runoff from the front.
With about an acre of mostly woods stretching to a small creek, Millie Jones has been clearing the property a little bit each year. Someday, she hopes to extend her wood and mulch stairs from their tidy backyard to the rugged stream.
"It's an adventure," she said.
Many of the plants Jones has selected for her backyard are Missouri natives, such as the smoke tree, black-eyed Susan and summer phlox.
Her favorites, such as oakleaf hydrangea, rose of Sharon, Japanese maple and crepe myrtles, are repeated around the sides of the house.
Not one to wait on bulbs, Jones said she likes instant gratification in her yard. Hosta are a great answer for that. Her next project will be to create a vast hosta bed down another part of the slope.
She also adds some whimsy here and there, such as metal flowers she made from soda cans, a doll house-sized bird house on the deck and Tom's old work shoes as planters.
The Garden of the Month selection committee from the Central Missouri Master Gardeners and the Bittersweet Garden Club selected the Jones garden for its August focus on water features.
"The backyard, while quite steep, is nicely landscaped," one judge said. "It's not just the water feature, but the whole yard that shines."
Judges appreciated the nicely maintained front lawn and borders.
"But (it) does not prepare you for the site as you round the house and get your first glimpses of the backyard," another judge said. "Millie's backyard is a hidden gem; the hostas and hydrangeas leading to the backyard are so lavish."
2016 Garden of the Month winners:
July: Jerry and Jeanne Sill, Valley View Terrace