Photos by Michael Woodall Positioning their new pool’s raised spa away from the back patio gave Dabney and Jeff Roush just what they wanted, mountain vistas and plenty of them.

A landscape re-do frames a mountain and more

It is one thing for a gardening expert to plan gorgeous outdoor spaces. But to bring a lofty mountain to those areas—now, that’s something. Landscape architect Donna Winters did both, in a manner of speaking.

Winters, a Phoenix Home & Garden Master of the Southwest, didn’ t deliver a full-size mountain to clients Dabney and Jeff Roush’s doorstep, of course. However, she did give the north Scottsdale couple access to views of Pinnacle Peak.

While the scenic spire is a seeming stone’s throw away from their house, for the most part it is not within a line of sight—a source of frustration until Winters and her Enchanted Garden Landscape crew stepped in.

In addition to securing views, Winters—mindful of the Roushes’ love of art—redesigned the backyard pool-and-patio area, infusing it with artfully placed plants that are rich in texture and color. Here, horsetail reeds and other plantings are reflected prettily in the new zero-edge swimming pool. “It’s like painting with plants,” Winters says of the landscape plan. “In the backyard, it’s a Zen garden. In front, it’s a nurturing setting. You feel protected in the entry.”

Comforting with its sense of enclosure, the new front courtyard offers the ambience the homeowners love. “There was a tiny courtyard out front, about one-third of the size that it became with Donna’s help,” Dabney says. “It’s now our favorite spot.” A major reason is its view of Pinnacle Peak. Winters thinned out existing trees in order to frame the landmark mountain and added other plants to ensure privacy.

The expert also transformed a narrow path on the kitchen side of the home into a snug, well-landscaped flagstone patio and barbecue area. It is the only spot in the house that had any possibility of a good view of the mountain, but an existing small kitchen window made that impossible, the homeowner recalls. Interior designers Carol Minchew and Debbie Samartzis replaced that window with tall bi-fold doors, and Winters’ team took over from there. “Not only do we have an incredible view of Pinnacle Peak, but we now have access to the outside for the barbecue,” Dabney notes.

Landscape architect Donna Winters created this intimate courtyard patio in front of the north Scottsdale residence. Flooring is Autumn Blend flagstone.

Winters took a cue from stone the designers were using for fireplace hearths both inside and outside; and the huge chunks of stone sparked a storm of creativity. As an example, a front-courtyard bench was fashioned out of a large slab of the Oklahoma beam rock. “You also see this rock as retaining walls here and as pedestals for sculpture,” she says.

Dabney is especially touched by a fountain Winters devised from the same rough-hewn stone. “I had told her that I’d love some sort of water feature representing our three children.” The landscape architect obliged with a fountain/sculpture made of three vertically placed slabs.

The piece welcomes visitors at the front door. “I love it, I love it,” Dabney remarks cheerfully. To Winters, this inspired fountain and the entire renovation project reflect her clients and “their need to have art in their lives. It’s about their lifestyle and how they live here.”

With its profusion of potted plants and sculptural-looking trees, the new flagstone patio at the front of the house has an oasislike quality throughout the year. Donna Winters added a rustic note to the setting with a bench made from a slab of Oklahoma beam rock.

Dichondra set between flagstone pavers beautifies an otherwise ordinary side yard. Cat’s claw vines climb the low wall.

Looking like abstract art, Oklahoma beam rock chunks meld with desert plantings, lending interest on one side of the cobbled driveway. The low wall defines the new courtyard patio behind it.