Subdivision: Homesteads
Owner/ Designer: Randy Martinez and Terry Timm
Garden Type or Feature: The owners have used the design expertise of Judith Phillips for both concept and plant selection to upgrade this beautiful hilltop landscape for sustainability.
Click here to open this garden’s plant list.
Artist in the Garden: David and Karen Croxton.
Description:
Randy and Terry are on their second year of an extensive and nearly complete makeover of their landscape after moving into their Placitas dream home. Only a pear tree, a handful of shrubs, and a few Yuccas remain from the original landscape. The owners have used the design expertise of Judith Phillips for both concept and plant selection.
The island in the center of their circular driveway was created where a mound of earth stood making it difficult to navigate up the slope to their home. The earth was used to level an area at the top of the slope on which a casita addition was built with a grand view of the west. The island is now a focus of native plantings as you enter the property, and it visually anchors the east foothill view of the Homesteads’ neighborhood.
The gardens in the front of the house were expanded by a couple of feet to add a rock pathway and bordering plants. Enter the front gate and feast your eyes on the surrounding enclosed landscape, sculptures, and a rock fountain. This is a perfect spot to sit, bird watch, and experience the majesty of the property’s southeast mountain views.
Coming from Colorado and Minnesota by way of Iowa, the owners are gradually learning about what grows and doesn’t in our high desert climate with drying spring winds. The owners have decided that plants that survive will be used as a guide to replace plants that do not survive. They have selected draught tolerant native plants to conserve precious water resources and follow the irrigation recommendations provided by the Albuquerque Water Authority.
Randy and Terry hope the garden tour visitors will enjoy their hilltop garden with 360-degree patio views as much as they do. They have outlined eleven different garden areas along with their plants for ease in identification.
