Tucson, Arizona: A Minimalist Desert Garden Blending Architecture and Landscape

Blending House and Habitat

Nestled between two washes in the core of the Southwest desert, this garden uses a minimalist approach to gently blend the home's architecture with its impressive surroundings of saguaros, palo verdes, and thick native vegetation. Designer Jeffrey Trent developed a series of garden spaces that preserve and enhance the landscape. An angular flagstone patio edged with a low seating wall directs views to distant mountains. Broad steps lead into the garden, where fragments of rock walls built from excavated stone frame the patio and echo the adjacent hills. Native plants enhance areas beyond the patio; closer to the house, colorful desert-adapted salvias and fairy dusters appear. Potted cacti accent the patio.

Designer: Jeffrey Trent, Natural Order, Tucson (520/792-9274)