FROM STAFF REPORTS

HELENA–The Helena Beautification Board has announced the winning residence for the September Helena Beautification Award.

The award was given to Carol and Doug Rickles of 1126 Dearing Downs Drive in Helena.

The tin roof of the ranch style home is perfectly situated in a neighborhood named for thoroughbreds. The Rickles have called 1126 Dearing Downs Drive their home for the past 36 years, continuously working to make it the beauty it has become.

A sloping landscape allows ones eyes to roll through the lush green grass up to an inviting porch where color and texture are on full display.

“It’s a great place to sit and relax and unwind,” Carol said.

Beautifully positioned planters surround as one sits and relaxes, as the planters are full of various varieties of caladium, sun patients, ferns and morning glory.

The front porch is flanked by a graceful red camilla that provides color in the winter months.

Further down the planting bed, you’ll find pink encore repeat blooming azaleas as well as anabelle hydrangeas, which are mixed in with rock hardscapes.

No detail is too small. The back fence is the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous fragrant rose ‘lamaraque.’

This beautiful white noisette rose is joined on the fence by the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle. A lover of birds, one will find a whimsical custom bird feeder positioned so it can be viewed from inside. “We took care of my mother in law and loved to watch the birds from the window each day,” Carol said. “It brought her great joy in the final days of her life. We love Helena and have loved gardening on this lot for many years.”

Each month, nominations will be accepted until the 25^th day with the winner being selected and notified at the first of the following month.

The Beautification Award for October will be based on fall decorations.

The winner of each month will be able to proudly display a yard sign for the month, have their picture and house published on the Helena Beautification website, Helena Beautiful Facebook page and in the Helena Reporter.

To nominate a home to receive the Helena Beautification Award on Oct. 1, go to Helenabeautiful.com/award.html and submit the address.

The Helena Beautification Board is an appointed board of the Helena City Council. The board believes that people and places are profoundly connected and thriving communities are rooted in individual responsibility and action. They host a variety of opportunities for the community to come together and serve each year. Events are posted on the Helena Beautiful Facebook page and announced via Twitter at @TweetHomeHelena.

For more pictures and a full list of the plants planted at the Rickles’ home, visit Helenabeautiful.com/award.html.