In two years, Kevin Winters and Lindsay Allen have transformed their backyard on Millwood Lane into a tropical paradise, with a touch of natural forest lining the stained wooden fence.
When they moved from Florida into their new home in North Augusta in 2006, the backyard didn't exist. There were trees but no grass.
In 2006 they added a sunroom, and in 2007 they put in their pool, which serves as a centerpiece to their tropical retreat. A dolphin water fountain trickles water into the pool, tuning out the world with its calming sounds. Kevin's favorite color -- yellow -- tends to highlight the yard.
"I am the handyman person," Lindsay said. "He's the avid gardener."
At night, the yard is invitingly lit by the lights installed along the flower beds, palm trees and water fountains by Lindsay, who said he acquired his electrical skills from his father. Lindsay also installed the irrigation system.
Lindsay also built a white pergola that encloses one end of the pool, providing a barrier to separate the pool area from the rest of the yard.
When they lived in Florida, they missed not being able to grow plants like the ones they had at their previous home in the Midwest. Now they are back to a climate that can handle those plants, and they grow geraniums, roses, daffodils and the Japanese maple tree.
The eucalyptus tree is Kevin's favorite.
"The smell of it is probably the main thing" that attracts him to the eucalyptus, he said.
When designing the yard, Lindsay said, they considered the needs of all their family members.
"We spend a lot of time in the backyard and wanted the most comfortable setting, kind of a serene feeling," Lindsay said. "A lot of the decisions made were based on the (three) cats and how much they'd enjoy it. A lot of what we did was for their benefit as well."
In the front yard, Kevin's hibiscus takes the spotlight with its 10-inch blooms.
"I spend a lot of time out in the yard," Kevin said. "Probably 10 hours a week."
Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.
