A sea of green grass stretches along sidewalks throughout the city of Laurel, but when residents reach the Morris home at 517 Montgomery St., they're greeted by additional bursts of color as waves of pink, yellow, red and white flowers breach the front yard.
In honor of Chris and Marilyn Morris' flower, vegetable and decorative plant garden, city officials presented the husband and wife with the 2016 Golden Shovel Award Tuesday evening after they were nominated by the community.
The city's Golden Shovel Award Program and its committee recognize residential properties that are kept clean and beautify the area, while complementing the community and raising property values.
Parks and Recreation Director Joanne Barr said the office of Mayor Craig Moe accepts nominations from May through September and chooses a residence each month for a Golden Shovel Award, with a winner sign posted on their property.
"It's a great thing for the city. People put a lot of time and effort into keeping their properties up," Barr said. "Chris and Marilyn have done an exceptional job with their yard. It's absolutely beautiful."
The couple's gardening extends beyond the sidewalk, Chris Morris said, with various herbs, sunflowers, tomato and pepper plants spread around the front and backyard. They moved to Laurel more than 20 years ago, but Chris and Marilyn have been gardening even longer.
"Gardening is a fun hobby of ours," Chris Morris said. "When we lived elsewhere, we always had a garden. I remember people having fields of sunflowers when I was growing up. It's just nice to grow your own vegetables."
Although the property is much smaller than other places they have lived, he said he's still determined to have the garden flourish with different kinds of flowers and plants, including poppies, dianthus and marigolds, taking eyes off the continuous development and in a greener direction.
Marilyn Morris, also an artist, said the garden has been an inspiration in her paintings and other craft projects, especially when watching bees, butterflies and birds bask in the healthy green atmosphere.
"Cardinals, blue jays and finches will come land on the sunflowers, hang upside down and eat the seeds," Marilyn said. "The same birds come back every year and it's amazing how many birds we do see. We just enjoy what simply happens and it keeps one in touch with the earth."
Landscaping and park care remains a top priority for the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, Barr said, so she's always pleased to see residents take pride in their properties and enhance the city's views.
"We love seeing the beauty at the parks and this is an extension of that," Barr said. " We know how much work goes into it and how much tending people need to do."
As city officials drive around local neighborhoods in search of outstanding landscaping, Barr said winners are often difficult to decide but many are seen.
"When there's a beautiful spot, I don't know if people even reflect upon it because they're so busy," Chris Morris said. "But, in any spot, you can find a beautiful little place if you look for it."
Nominations will be accepted for the Golden Shovel Award through September and can be submitted by contacting 301-725-5300, Ext. 2125; laurelmayor@laurel.md.us; or mailing a nomination letter to Mayor Craig Moe, 8103 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel, MD 20707. Include the property's address, a project description as well as the name and number of the property owner, if possible.