Weeds and Walls, Photo Gallery
By Genevieve Schmidt
Photo by: Steve Gunther
In Paradise Valley, Arizona, a burst of golden desert blooms from the Cercidium floridum (blue palo verde) helps merge the ochre and rust tones in the landscape with the natural beauty of Camelback Mountain beyond.
Photo by: Steve Gunther
At this landscape in Scottsdale, Arizona, a foreground planting of Echinocactus grusonii (golden barrel cactus) relates to, in smaller scale, the Carnegiea gigantea (saguaro cactus) and boulders in the backdrop. In front of the red wall are Echinocereus engelmannii (strawberry hedgehog cactus). Other cactus include: Cylindropuntia versicolor (staghorn cholla) and Stenocereus thurberi (organ pipe cactus).
Photo by: Steve Gunther
Across the gleaming surface of the water, the
striking forms of palm trees reflect on this
flush edge pool. Wave chaises by FLOAT LLC.
Photo by: Steve Gunther
Island planters filled with the upright form of Cereus hildmannianaus (Peruvian hedge cactus) appear to float within the pool, lending an otherworldly feel.
Photo by: Steve Gunther
The spiky leaves of Agave weberi (Weber agave) mimic the shape of fiberglass fins on the arbor. As dusk falls, lights within the translucent fiberglass illuminate the seating area below.
Photo by: Steve Gunther
In front of the “piano key” wall are plantings of Agave americana var. medio-picta ‘Alba’ (white-striped century plant), Cleistocactus strausii (silver torch), and Echinocactus grusonii (golden barrel cactus).
Photo by: Steve Gunther
Visually enlarging the space, the flush edge of the pool comes right up to the patio, making the pool and seating area seem as one. Yellow Kornegay containers are planted with Dasylirion wheeleri (desert spoon). Furniture from Diva Group’s Gandia Blasco line.
Photo by: Steve Gunther
Martino framed an attractive view of natural boulders beyond the property line to give this Scottsdale landscape a feeling of expansiveness.
Photo by: Steve Gunther
Martino calls this combination a sampler of the Sonoran desert. Saguaro cactus, ocotillo, desert marigold, and Agave americana ‘Variegata’ (variegated agave) mingle under a steel arbor.
Photo by: Steve Gunther
The artful placement of desert marigold,
brittlebush, and ocotillo against a multitiered
glass wall elevates these native
plants from greenery to artwork.
Photo by: Steve Gunther
Fusing man-made with natural, this landscape blends privacy screening and shaded entertaining areas with a selection of natives designed to echo the naturally occurring plants on the mountain beyond. The cooling cobalt of the Fletcher Benton sculpture contrasts with the yellow wisps of Acacia farnesiana (sweet acacia) and Encelia farinosa (brittlebush).
Photo by: Steve Gunther
An elevated public sidewalk runs along the back of the property, above the existing 8-foot wall (seen in the background).
