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Charlene and Rodney Loyd sit an enjoy their water garden in their swing that is hidden away by a large pine tree.

Jaws isn’t ready for his close-up.

No matter how much fish food Charlene Loyd tosses in her backyard pond, the king koi doesn’t want to surface.

“He’s got an attitude,” Mrs. Loyd says.

The coy Jaws isn’t the only one with attitude. St. Joseph homeowners Rodney and Charlene Loyd’s attitude when it comes to their backyard is pretty, practical and peaceful. And the pond meets all those requirements. Featuring four levels (the deepest is 5 feet deep), the pond juts out along one side of the backyard fence. Rocks that Mr. Loyd dug up from the yard form a decorative border.

“He’s labor, I’m management,” Mrs. Loyd quips.

The pond is surrounded by lush foliage, including purple flowers that the couple think are a member of the spirea family, mini lotus and lilies, and is fed by a waterfall. There also are lights by the pond and waterfall, Mr. Loyd says.

“People are drawn to that area,” Mr. Loyd says. “It’s so relaxing.”

Framing one area near the pond is a large pine tree, which with several branches removed is home to a comfy covered swing. When the homeowners are out there, they are hidden from view. They can see a visitor enter the yard, but the visitor can’t see them.

“I can take a 10-minute vacation anytime I want,” Mrs. Loyd says.

Mr. Loyd adds that the couple also likes to come out to the hideaway in the winter, despite the fact that the plants have all been lowered to the bottom of the pond and the fish also have retreated to the lowest depths. A bubbler keeps the water from freezing.

“We like the outdoors, it’s just another season,” he says.

The couple purchased the house in the late 1970s. The backyard is big enough to host large parties, with green areas for volleyball, softball and other games. There’s even a flower-covered trellis for outdoor weddings. The area also is dotted with ample seating, from benches to Adirondack chairs.

“There’s a chair to sit in anywhere in the yard,” Mrs. Loyd says.

There’s something to see in every corner. Snow White and the seven dwarfs hang out in one shady area, and butterflies chase each other around a purple butterfly bush in the flower garden toward the back of the yard. That garden, like other areas, features a gorgeous lotus plant in a 4-foot deep barrel.

And the ideas keep coming. A fire hydrant near the shed will become a fountain, and Mrs. Loyd would like to expand the pond. Although Mr. Loyd says there is no time to add anything else this year, that doesn’t mean “management” won’t have “labor” working out in the backyard next year. After all, Jaws might like a bigger home.

Lifestyles reporter Cathy Woolridge can be reached at cathyw@npgco.com.