* What: Xeriscape category winner of the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado Excellence in Landscape Award

* Where: Lakewood

* Gardeners: Sarah and Jim Hopfenbeck

* Contractor: Lifescape Associates

* Designer: Mike Morris

* Type: Xeriscape gardens surrounding deck, hot tub, gazebo, patio, pond and pathways

* What makes this garden special: "The color combinations, the natural look to it. It just blends out to the open space and the view of the mountains that we have," said Sarah. "We never used to spend time out there and now, we're out there whenever we can be. It just draws you outside."

* Biggest challenge: Sarah said they really didn't face any challenges during the creation of this spectacular landscape except waiting for construction to finish. She said they lived in the house for four years before they went ahead with the extensive exterior work after seeing another garden designed by Morris.

* Highlights: "The color of the flowers in the evening light is just spectacular," Sarah said. "I'm a real color person, drawn to color combinations and the palette . . . it looks like a painting in the evenings in the summertime."

* What they like best: "I like the way the patio is surrounded by the color of the gardens," Sarah said. "He designed it so we have lots of colorful perennials up above, then it's natural down below where it blends to open space. It's just picturesque. In the evenings we frequently eat dinners there."

* Final thoughts: This lush garden is water smart and uses ornamental grasses, yarrow, coreopsis, veronica, sedum, burgundy gaillardia, lavender, hyssop, wild roses, catmint, daisies, California poppies, salvia, peonies, perennial geranium and coneflower placed to create waves of seasonlong color.