Ozarks Artist Joyce Chalmers’ Outdoor Space

It was in 2017 when Joyce Chalmers and her husband decided to come back to their Missouri roots and find a home in the area. “My husband was from Springfield and always wanted to return,” says Chalmers. He had missed the four seasons after so many years moving around and 30 years living in California. Joyce herself is also from Missouri, so she liked the idea of moving back. The patio of her charming home in Millwood was a feature they both really loved, and they had dreams of entertaining friends and family in the space. 

The view from the porch is beautiful year-round, with boxwoods and arborvitae anchoring the space. During the fall months sunflowers tower above the garden, creating pops of sunshine yellow. “This year, with the sunflowers, there have been more yellow birds coming and eating the sunflower seeds,” says Chalmers. “They make great photos, but you have to be quick!” In the winter, it’s the pansies that Chalmers loves, especially when they survive a cold snap and peek out from under the snow. During the spring and summer months, Chalmers grows herbs. There’s plenty of wildlife to observe too.

“What I really love is anticipating and watching the life cycles of the monarchs on the milkweed,” says Chalmers. “From the tiny white specks of their eggs to the little white caterpillars they grow into, then to the large green caterpillars with voracious appetites devouring the leaves and flowers of the milkweed.” 

Chalmers especially enjoys early fall on her porch and is reminded of a field of sunflowers she saw on a trip once. “While driving through Italy years ago, we saw fields of sunflowers where every flower turned its head to follow the warmth and light of the sun,” says Chalmers. “The sunflower is now my faith flower, reminding me to follow Jesus, the light and warmth of God’s love.” Decorating her porch and her home for fall is a must. Sunflower wreaths pop up on her doors, and plenty of pumpkins and mums gather around her porch and garden for added fall color and cozy charm. It’s easy to feel snug and warm on a cool fall day on Chalmer’s porch. “My favorite time on the porch is when it is raining,” says Chalmers.