The past is growing large and colorful at the Beach's home on Bluff Avenue.
Many flowers in their yard were transported from prior homes of Eva and Steve Beach.
The golden glow with its bright yellow blooms peaks over their fence at visitors on the Greeneway trail beside their house from spring through October. It is surrounded by a bed of perennials including passion flowers, marigolds and zinnias.
"They attract butterflies which is kind of nice," Eva said, of the zinnias.
When the couple first moved into the home about two years ago they wanted to build a fence for privacy. But it wasn't long before they changed their minds.
"I found people so interesting to talk to on the Greeneway," Eva said. One woman brought her some plants.
"After that we said, 'Hey, why would we want to shut ourselves in?'" she said.
The back porch, which they added to the house under a gable roof, resembles Cracker Barrel with its country feel. Just to the side of the door is morning glory growing up the rail.
"I think a bird gifted us with that," Eva said of the plant.
Just below the porch is a fish pond with gold fish.
The Beaches love antiques and Eva is great about discovering a use for something others might think of as trash.
"It's an old floor lamp," she said pointing at a fixture in the yard. "I turned it into a candle holder."
An old chandelier hangs in a flower bed that's also now a candle holder.
"I like candles outside at night," she said.
Even the porch furniture has stories to tell, like the railroad station bench from Connecticut used for seating.
"We like to recycle," Eva said.
Hidden through the yard are bunny statues that seem to quickly grow in numbers, she said.
Eva enjoys the planting aspect of the yard, while Steve maintains the yard and adds his own touch, including handmade chairs, planters and statues of egrets and ducks made of PVC pipe.
"I love piddling in the yard," Eva said. "It's very relaxing."
Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.
BEACH'S GARDENING TIP
"Be patient, let nature take its way."
