High Elevation Gardening Web Log "Blog"

Skye Sieber – honorable mention - residential self installation

Skye created an inviting garden using a wonderful collection of low-water perennials. This garden also has many interesting ground covers growing between flagstone.a

An array of native and non-native plants such as purple coneflower and hummingbird mint makes the front entrance interesting and colorful.

Anne Vonesh – honorable mention - residential self installation

This property features a blue grama grass lawn that looks as good if not better than a traditional Kentucky blue grass lawn. Beyond the grama lawn lies a very low water use zone where native grasses mingle with wildflowers eventually seamlessly merging with the undisturbed forest behind the home. This yard also features excellent stone walls, paths and planters all done by the homeowners.

Stephanie Galloway – honorable mention - residential self installation

Stephanie created a wonderful hedge of native shrubs and other low water plants to screen her home from the street.

Plantings areas in the back are a great example of a non-lawn with high interest and a place for children.

Melanie and Dave Lembke - first place winner - residential professional installation
Pieter Schaafsma – landscape design and installation

Once a water thirsty Kentucky blue grass lawn, the front of this property has been transformed into a low-water landscape through excellent stone work and the creation of a large area full of native grass and perennials. French drains move roof water to trees and shrubs that require extra water. A separate stone planter is filled with flowers to add bright color to the property.

Jan and Tom Moffit – honorable mention - residential professional installation
Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed – installation

Though a work still in progress, this adobe-style home features an inviting front garden planted with many native plants that are brightened with colored tiles and hardscape. This is a property that the judges would love to visit again next year.

Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed – first place winner - commercial property
Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed – landscape design and installation

As may be expected, the recently redone entrance to this business features many wonderful native plants grouped to mimic local plant habitats. The alpine corner has snowberry, native Virginia creeper, and common juniper while the ponderosa section features skunkbush, current and oak. The pinyon-juniper corner contains mountain mahogany, Hooker evening primrose and penstemon. Creative boulder work ties everything together while adding interest and helping to retain moisture.

Nordstrom Properties, Shephard Westnitzer – honorable mention - commercial installation
Joan Abbott and Foxglove Gardening – landscape design and installation

These rock garden walls on Dale St. are filled with many low- to moderate-water perennials that provide cheerful color for much of the season. These gardens are expertly maintained so that the plantings always look their best.

Other excellent Xeric gardens

Ray Jordan - residential self installation

Native clematis adorns the stonework in front of Ray Jordan’s home. Potentilla, hardy yucca, junipers and showy goldeneye add color and texture and a solution to this difficult to landscape hillside.

Joan Abbott/Foxglove Gardening - commercial installation along Milton

This small perennial bed highlights the entrance to a gas station along Milton. A collection of long-blooming flowers including daisy, gaillardia, potentilla, scabiosa, snow-in-summer and hollyhock brightens what may otherwise by a bare patch of ground. Xeriscaping is beautiful!