The busy schedules of Drs. George Dean and Robbie Lee don't allow them to spend a lot of time in their garden in Tucson, Arizona. Nonetheless, they wanted a tranquil garden sanctuary that would provide an escape from the pressures of their demanding jobs. Their goal was to find just the right mix of beautiful, low-maintenance plants.
The garden is now filled with native plants that provide a blanket of green foliage; all of the chosen plants are able to flourish without a lot of water or attention. Delicate plants and cacti accent the garden with bursts of color. Among the desert-acclimated plants in this garden are fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla), Mount Lemmon marigold (Tagetes lemmonii, Zones 9-10) and barrel cactus (Echinocactus , Zones 8-10).
George and Robbie drew inspiration for the planting scheme from the natural landscape of the hills and mountains that surround their home. For instance, George discovered that nestling plants beside stones gave them protection similar to that provided by nature. The garden also reflects Arizona's diverse landscape with a series of microclimates sited along natural-looking pathways.
The nurse-plant relationship refers to the natural occurrence of hardy plants growing next to weaker plants to nurse them along. In designing their garden, George and Robbie took advantage of this concept: they've imitated natural protection by using their house as a giant nurse plant. The microclimates surrounding the house vary depending on sun and wind patterns as well as temperature fluctuations.
If George starts having problems keeping his plants alive, he practices the "median approach" to find solutions. He drives down the streets of Tucson searching for plants that thrive in the median. He says that if a plant can survive the Arizona climate combined with the exhaust from the cars, it should be able to grow in his garden.
A "living fence" is one of the most striking features of George and Robbie's garden. This natural barrier is created with ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens ), whose tall, bare canes are perfect for providing privacy in a garden. It also blends well with the native plants and doesn't have the overwhelming appearance of a wall. Although ocotillo is leafless most of the year, it does grow some foliage during a rainy season.
Culinary and medicinal herbs complete this tranquil desert sanctuary. By adding plants that provide both nourishment and healing power, George and Robbie have created the perfect combination of form and function in their unique garden.
