Photography by Michael Woodall French antique light fixtures flank the entry to this Scotts-dale residence.

A revamped desert garden brims with unexpected elements

When a north Scottsdale couple decided they needed a bigger house with a yard to match, they were thrilled to find something on four acres. The plan was to do a simple renovation to the residence and spruce up the existing landscape. But as so often happens, the remodel grew into something far more complex than anticipated.

After a “rough start,” according to the wife, the project found its footing. The home, originally modeled after a farmhouse in Tuscany, was revamped, and after the purchase of a neighboring lot, a guest house was added. With the now 8-acre parcel in need of an overhaul, the pair turned to landscape architect Donna Winters of Enchanted Garden Landscape Inc. for guidance.

“The homeowners did not want anything contrived or forced,” says Winters, a Phoenix Home & Garden Master of the Southwest. “They wanted a totally natural, soft look with plants that transitioned out to the desert.”

“When we moved here, there were misshapen, overgrown shrubs and a lot of mature trees that needed pruning,” recalls the woman of the house. “There was no pool or spa, and a wall around the house made the yard feel so hemmed in, you didn’t know almost four acres were out there.” The grounds were tired and needed rejuvenating, she says.

Winters removed water-thirsty vegetation and replaced it with arid-region, low-maintenance blooming plants, both native and non-native. Trees were pruned and new ones situated to block unwanted views. Cacti and agaves now provide striking accents against the blue sky, and flowerpots brim with color.

To open up the yard to the surrounding desert, the landscape architect removed the property wall and replaced it with wrought-iron fencing. “This created a whole new experience,” she remarks. “Now you have this beautiful grand vista.”

Other additions include crushed-granite pathways, fountains, a free-standing spa, and an unusual swimming pool that looks like a crumbling ruin. Designed by Steve Oliver of Creative Water Concepts, the water feature sits low in the landscape, giving the illusion of something one might stumble upon while walking through ancient grounds. “It was designed to look like an old building had once stood there and was demolished, and its footing had filled with water,” explains Oliver, also a Phoenix Home & Garden Master of the Southwest.

Although there are no steps or terracing throughout the property, subtle elevation changes have been incorporated to make visitors wonder what lies ahead. “We didn’t want people to take in the whole garden in one sweep,” says the owner. “We wanted the landscape to have a surprise at every turn.”

Happy with the results, she adds: “I find it so interesting that we were able to design a property with such unique character. It’s lush without being extravagant, and the new landscape invites you to wander through it . . . quite an enchanting experience in the middle of the desert.”

Along with a refurbished landscape, the home’s exterior went through a transition that not only modified its look, but added character as well. Changes made by builder Randy Arnett- Romero include encasing existing columns in brick and sandblasting the patio’s roof to bring out the wood’s natural beauty. The previous owners planted the rose garden.

Shaded by a mature mesquite tree, a rustic table and chairs enhance the casual ambience of the front courtyard.

Honeysuckle and golden columbine soften the outdoor shower area, located on the side of the main house.

Autumn sage provides a pop of red near a row of Argentine giant cacti. A runoff area for drainage is visible at left.

Golden damianita and bougainvillea ‘Torch Glow’ make striking choices in the garden.

Rosa banksiae ‘Alba Plena’ climbs a column near a quaint brick patio accented with wrought-iron chairs.

The beach-entry pool was built without a deck, giving the appearance of water sitting on its edge. Created by exterior-scape designer Steve Oliver, it features layers of rustic ranch stone constructed to look like a remnant of an ancient wall.