Growing roses

Water-wise lawn replacement 

A formal parterre and flanking cypress delineate the area between the private inner courtyard and the large rear orchard garden.

A Private Orchard Garden

The Formal Orchard Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada was designed by the owners, Victoria and Dennis Morgan.  An orchard of pistachios, almonds and pecans was planted soon after they purchased the property in the late 1980s.  At that time the area was used for stables.  The symmetry of the orchard led to the design of a formal rear garden with a distinctive Southwestern influence.  To one side of the property a semi-wild looking desert garden thrives.  

A "fountain" of drought tolerant Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) is at the center of the circular drive at the front of the home.

Tall blue urns flank the hidden entry to the home. Climbing ficus makes its way up the wall beneath the California Pepper tree. The owner-designer decided to create color in the garden by use of tiles, furniture and ornaments.  There are few blooming flowers with the exception of gold lantana (Lantana camera).

At the heart of the orchard garden is a fountain encircled by tile paving designed by the owner, Victoria Morgan.  This view looks toward the rear of the property where a pergola stretches across the property in front of a row of sheltering pines.

	A closer look at the tiles surrounding the fountain. Gold lantana, which requires little attention and little water is one of the few flowering ornamentals.

Four different types of grape vines climb up the pergola at the end of the garden.  A shade-cloth over the pergola reduces the heat by 10 degrees in the summer.

Looking toward the residence from the central fountain one can appreciate the balanced character of this garden.

	A lamp designed by Victoria Morgan casts light on the orchard's trees and pathways when night falls.  The desert climate dries out teak furniture, so the decision was made to paint all outdoor benches and chairs.
	Early morning light floods into the desert garden adjacent to the drive. This area is allowed to have a  wilder look than the formal garden nearer the house. A desert willow, native of the Mojave desert, is surrounded by agaves.
	A closer look at the agaves and prickly pear cactus that thrive in the desert garden. This part of the garden survives with only occasional hand watering and the rain that falls seasonally.  There is no regular irrigation in this area.
	Our Thanks to Victoria and Dennis Morgan for allowing us to photograph their exceptionally beautiful garden. Designer: Victoria Morgan.

 

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