A knock on the door at a home on West Fay Avenue recently led to a welcome surprise.

The home of Nick and Linda Westfahl was awarded the June Silver Spade award. The honor is presented by the Kingfisher Lions Club during the summer months to homes exhibiting exceptional landscaping and beauty.

It was quite a surprise, Linda said.

The Westfahls are retired and have lived in the home for over 13 years. Nick was employed with Pioneer Telephone for 44 years and Linda with Cimarron Electric Cooperative for 30 years. They have always enjoyed working in their yard, like to get outside and appreciate the beauty of nature, Nick said.

The Silver Spade is displayed among a colorful array of ornamental flowers, grasses, shrubs, as well as a patio peach tree in the front flowerbed of the Westfahls’ home.

Hameln fountain grass, golden yellow Stella D’Oro day lilies, purple salvia, red knockout roses and varied other ornamentals surround the spade as richly hued red begonias are uniformly spaced along the front border.

Keeping the flowerbeds weeded, well-watered and the lawn neatly trimmed takes a lot of work, Linda said, and Nick does most of the work now since her health is not as good as it used to be.

However, the many potted plants in the front and backyard remain a product of Linda’s work. The flowerpots along the front drive are flourishing with fragrant pink, purple and black petunias, verbena, calibrachoa, as well as a feathery green asparagus fern spilling over the edge of its container.

Along the shaded east side are some of Linda’s favorite plants. A fragrant Tropicana rose bush is bursting with pinkish orange blossoms, which “smell so heavenly”, Linda commented.

A purple morning glory climbs up a trellis, purple salvia, a crepe myrtle bush and deep purple tinted balloon flowers also grace the east flowerbed.

A calla lily takes prominence with its burgundy trumpet shaped blooms and vibrant green leaves embedded with streaks of white.

“The calla lily is my prize flower,” Linda said.

Through the gate into the backyard, a towering 20-foot tall magnolia and stunning Japanese bloodgood maple tree with rich burgundy leaves and copper tones invite you in.

The Japanese bloodgood maple is one of their favorite trees, Linda commented.

On the right is a massive shasta daisy with bright white flowers among an antique tractor seat and vintage iron water pump.

The tractor seat, as well as two iron wheels located in the northwest corner of the backyard, made their way into the landscaping from the family farm as gifts from her son, Linda said.

To the left, pink hydrangeas in full bloom and red hot poker plants in a flowerbed attract butterflies and birds with their brightly colored flowers.

Along the back fence is a fertile raised bed providing all kinds of tasty vegetables. They’ve already harvested a bounty of potatoes, onions and green beans, Linda said.

Other vegetables - tomatoes, bell peppers, asparagus, and cucumbers - are on the verge of providing more fresh and delectable produce.

In the far northwest corner is a serene water feature. A dark green Nellie Stevens holly bush stands guard over a rippling stream as it trickles over a bed of rocks, surrounded by lush green foliage, blooming red roses and purple salvia.

The serene tranquility of trickling water is a peaceful welcome to their mornings, Linda said.

“Sometimes we are surprised by a leopard frog near the stream,” she commented.

When asked if the couple had any advice for future gardeners, the Westfahls said: “Stick with it, don’t quit and enjoy it.”