Nicholas and Celeste Barry are looking forward to a brand-new yard and a lower water bill. As winners of the Extreme Xeriscape Garden Makeover Contest, their yard will receive a $20,000 renovation using the principles of xeriscaping, which helps to conserve water through efficient landscaping.

The contest was held during Halawa Xeriscape Garden's 20th-anniversary celebration, to promote such concepts as using plants that don't require much water, using mulch and installing proper irrigation. The Barrys were chosen in a drawing, out of 322 who entered.

“;We have a water-conserving, kid-friendly yard planned with a tropical look,”; said Stephen Dewald of Steve's Gardening Service, who expects to spend about a month on the project.

“;We estimate that about half of the water consumption in the average single-family home is used outdoors,”; said Cliff Lum, the Board of Water Supply's chief engineer. “;Using xeriscaping techniques can save 30 to 80 percent in water consumption, lowering water bills.”;

Celeste Barry said their whole Pearl City neighborhood will appreciate the family's new yard. “;With my two little ones and all the kid functions, I don't have time to do my yard,”; she said.

“;We are lucky we live Hawaii and have good neighbors. It was so horrible that the neighbors help us pull weeds. They will be happy that they don't need to come help anymore.”;

The Barry family also received a year's worth of yard maintenance. A dead hibiscus bush has been removed, and the yard has been sprayed to prepare for the transformation.

“;I've asked for the smelly plants, like gardenias and puakenekene, but I'm not sure if they are un-thirsty plants,”; Celeste said. “;We are going to include a crown flower plant, but it will be in a separate area because they can be quite poisonous.”;

Grass, mulch, ficus plants, ti leaf plants and possibly a large palm tree are currently part of the plan. “;This is really good timing,”; said Celeste. “;We received the news that we were winners about a week before my daughter was born.

“;My husband and I were so happy that we won. Our yard was just full of weeds, and we just couldn't appreciate it. We have a corner lot with an ugly yard that needed the most work.”;