When Crystal and George Eskola moved into their National Hills home 16 years ago, the yard was landscaped like any other on the street.

Almost every weekend since, they've worked to transform their yard into a private, wooded retreat designed for outdoor living. Only one small patch of grass remains; the rest is a maze of winding mulch trails through thick vegetation and trees.

"I don't think we would even have that one grass patch, except I have to have a slip-and-slide area for my nieces and nephews," Mrs. Eskola said.

When they're older, the space likely will be replanted with evergreens, bamboo or one of the other low-maintenance plants Mrs. Eskola has used in the rest of the garden.

"There are very few flowers," she said, picking up the family's cat, Kudzu, who roams the garden. "There are a lot of other ways to add interest and texture."

The garden instead gets its color and character from the art and pottery studding the paths, and a large metal awning shaped like an umbrella magnolia. She has also hung mirrors outdoors and set a dozen or more birdbaths along the trails.

"I love unusual things," Mrs. Eskola said. "I don't have a plan. I just want the whole yard to be lush and planted, so I buy something and find a space for it."

Not all of the garden's accents were purchased.

Mrs. Eskola has arranged driftwood and fallen trees as if they were sculptures, and uses found rocks to set off the borders of her raised beds.

Across the garden, she's planted a few tomatoes and peppers.

"They take more watering than anything else," Mrs. Eskola said. "Everything else, once it's established, is easier to care for."

Although there will always be more she wants to do, after 16 years most of the yard is established, Mrs. Eskola said. Trees shade the house and large shrubs cover the hillside of their corner lot, obstructing the view.

"It gives us a lot of privacy," she said. "It's nice because we can be out here all the time. It's like our own little forest in the city."

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.