Subdivision: Tierra Madre
Owner: Del Packwood and Barbara Reeback
Garden Type or Features: Well established oasis garden.
Artist in the Garden: Katie Thomas.
Description: Barb and Del have lived on this corner property, easily recognized by the Model T and stand of junipers lining the driveway, and towering cottonwoods in the back, since 1992. They made significant changes to the landscape during the early years, to create an outdoor retreat. Their garden was on the inaugural Spring 2016 garden tour. Today there are fewer cottonwood trees, but the garden remains a cooling oasis.
The front entry sculpture is affectionately known as “Muffler Bitch”, replacing one of the cottonwoods. The front lawn bordered by perennial shrubs continues around the south patio, providing a cooling effect to the home’s passive solar construction. The iconic Mark White “Blooming Lily” remains a focus of the south garden. The glider, rebuilt with Canadian friends, enjoys a great view and a firepit made from a water heater top.
Del and his brother created the lily pond, waterfall, and deck in 1995, to conserve shade, cover the dirt, and create interesting areas. The couple have fond memories of large garden parties and sharing it for community events. They do all the maintenance, only hiring out the heavier work and tree pruning.
Rocky Placitas soil challenges everything, so they compost and amend. Barb explained that the unpredictability of what will grow where explains why their yard plantings may look random, with the same plants in several locations. Iris bloom everywhere, as well as day lilies, coreopsis, winter jasmine, and bird of paradise, along with chocolate flowers, Placitas primrose, Mexican Hat, snow in summer. and ice plant. The peach tree on the north side, surrounded by vinca and crown vetch ground cover, was transplanted as a volunteer from the south side.
I would omit this but leave in the booklet: The north side split face block wall created the benefit of quiet from the street as well as privacy. Notice the 2016 Placitas Garden Tour etched stone embedded in this wall.
