Editor's Note: This is the second in our series on our community treasure, the Highlands Ranch Mansion. To read the first story, go to citylifestyle.com/highlands ranch and search "Highlands Ranch At Home."
The Highlands Ranch Mansion stands as a proud symbol of our community's rich history, serving as a tangible reminder of the area's transformation over the decades. What began as a modest homestead in 1891 has evolved into the magnificent estate we enjoy today.
The property's origins as a ranch date back to the turn of the 20th century, a legacy still represented today next door at the Clough Cattle Co., while its past as an orchard is recalled by the apple trees across the street. Today, the Mansion’s grounds are a popular locale for important life events, including weddings, community functions, photoshoots, and even the occasional social media influencer.
The current gardens were added during the Mansion's 2011 renovation, undertaken once the mansion was conveyed to the Highlands Ranch Metro District. When renovations began, ivy had grown so thick across the front facade that the windows were blocked, requiring two full dumpsters for disposal.
A central feature is Marion’s Garden, named for the former on-site resident and wife of the longtime grounds foreman for the Phipps family. The garden is a living memorial honoring Marion's life and serves as a meaningful link to the property’s rich history, highlighting its importance as a community heritage site.
Seen from above, the garden is designed to resemble a flower. The central stamen shape, with a sculpture by Brian Mueller, invites visitors to appreciate its thoughtful design and beauty.
One of the flower beds holds Lily of the Valley, Marion’s favorite flower, along with other shade-loving plants, such as Dicentra (Bleeding Hearts) and Heuchera (Coral Bells). As visitors move through the garden, the sun exposure changes from fully shaded to dappled shade to full sun, adjusting the perennial variety to the blooming season.
One plant of note, the Delosperma, or Ice Plant, blooms late spring into mid-summer. Steve Patrilla, Highlands Ranch Metro District’s Parks Maintenance Supervisor, says, “The violet ice plant is so bright, you can hardly look at it without sunglasses."’
The front lawns and circle drive are wedding-venue favorites. The mansion's turret and Tudor-style addition serve as a backdrop to plants with old-school elegance, such as bridal wreath spirea, daphne, and roses.
Moving around to the back of the Mansion, visitors find "the well," a structure reminiscent of a wishing well. Patrilla explains, 'It’s actually not a well. It was a barbecue pit. You can still see where the grates sat and where the fire access door was. Now it’s a flower bed for annuals."
Colorado-scaping, found in the central bed behind the mansion, includes plants that thrive in semi-arid conditions, such as high-performance, low-maintenance, multi-colored Jupiter’s Beard and Vinca. The gardens are designed to be accessible and welcoming, making them a perfect spot for strolls, community gatherings, and quiet reflection.
Another popular wedding spot in Marion’s garden is the backyard gazebo. It looks out over quintessential Colorado plains onto a distant windmill.
Sherry Eppers, the District’s Community Relations Manager, notes, “There have been several weddings under the gazebo, with a windmill in the background. In summer, when the grass is high, the horses are grazing, it's like you're not in a city at all."
Spruce trees are found throughout the gardens, and Rocky Mountain Junipers, often mistaken for cedars, define the landscape. Impressively, the trees that stand now are the great survivors of 2023’s tornado.
On April 30, 2026, the final land conveyance from Shea Homes to the District added 200 acres to the grounds of the mansion. This includes the land and all the buildings that the Clough Cattle Co. currently leases, as well as acreage on which the windmill to the south sits. The district will soon launch a broad outreach campaign to gather community input on the future uses of the newly acquired land and to keep residents informed about upcoming enhancements and opportunities to participate.
From historic ranching roots to a newly expanded estate, the Mansion’s grounds provide an evolving testament to community history, with a bright future ahead shaped by those who now call Highlands Ranch home.
Favorite Flowering Plants Found on the Mansion Grounds:
- Columbine: spring-blooming, shade-loving, Colorado’s state flower.
- Ajuga: A low-water groundcover with purple bloom stalks
- May Night Salvia: a popular, hearty western landscape favorite
- Penstemon: a water-friendly plant that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Yarrow: A drought-tolerant plant
- Lucifer’s Flower: Noted for its distinct red flowers.
- Tulips: Center of the circle drive
- Peonies: traditional garden flower in a variety of colors
- Vinca: fast spreading, low-maintenance ground cover
- Plains Grasses: water-friendly landscape providing vertical interest
- Bridal Wreath Spirea: apropos-named deciduous shrub with arching branches