For Valerie Clark, gardening is more than a hobby—it’s a way to slow down, get her hands dirty, and create something beautiful. Over the past 11 years, she and her husband, Bill, have transformed their outdoor spaces on St. Joseph Way into a colorful retreat filled with flowers, thoughtful details, and plenty of personality.

Valerie describes their outdoor space as “colorful, curated, and manicured,” a reflection of the care and attention she and Bill have put into it over the years. The two work together on the design of their flower beds, back patio, and fire pit. They even continue to make small changes each year to keep everything feeling fresh rather than settling on one finished look.

The front porch is one of Valerie’s favorite spots, thanks in part to the flower garden that surrounds it—and the ever-changing collection of throw pillows that accents the seating area. The pillows have become such a recognizable part of the space that neighbors and visitors often joke about where Valerie manages to store them all. She doesn’t stop at pillows, either. Wall accents, poufs, and throw rugs are among the indoor-inspired pieces she uses outdoors to make the spaces feel comfortable and inviting.

Out back, the patio offers an entirely different experience. Overlooking the 16th green and its pond, it has become Valerie’s favorite place to “recharge her battery” and take in the scenery. An Arborvitae “fence” provides a sense of privacy, while a collection of hydrangeas brings varying shades of color to the garden. Among the many plants throughout the property, Valerie’s newest favorite is Bugle Weed, a perennial ground cover she recently discovered.

Last year, the couple remodeled their back patio, replacing the brownish pavers that had begun to look dull and had accumulated moss and weeds in the seams. They replaced them with a sleek, smooth, large-format paver on a concrete base with zero seams. The wood Pergola was replaced with a beautiful white one, and they installed a stacked-stone grill station with zero grout. They also expanded their Arborvitae hedge, which wraps around the front of the home and provides additional privacy from the street.

Of course, maintaining a garden like this takes plenty of work. Valerie jokes that she enjoys “playing in the dirt,” and for her, tending to the plants is both rewarding and therapeutic. She fertilizes her flowers regularly, deadheads throughout the season, and has learned that some of the best additions can come from unexpected places. Some of her favorite perennials were even clearance finds at Lowe’s that have continued to return year after year.

Summer is when the Clarks get to enjoy their outdoor spaces the most. Whether they’re relaxing by the fire pit, gathering with family, watching golfers, or hosting their annual St. Joseph Way Summer Street Party, the yard is always being put to good use. Bill has even described their landscaping and maintenance as a “passion that became an obsession.”

If the garden could tell its own story, Valerie already knows exactly what it would say: “A crazy plant lady who loves color and throw pillows lives here.” And honestly, that might be the perfect description of a space that has become so uniquely hers.

While Valerie has plenty to enjoy already, she does have one dream addition in mind: a pavilion over the fire pit to provide some relief from the western sun on warm afternoons. Until then, there will undoubtedly be more flowers to plant, pillows to change, and projects to tackle—because around here, the garden is never quite finished.