In Arizona, our backyards are extensions of our homes, allowing us to create a space that reflects how we want to spend time outdoors. Rustic Creek Landscaping, based in Queen Creek, helps their clients find that balance between the demands of the desert and our personal tastes. Owners, Nick and Stacey Bluth, customize each yard they work on to the personality of the homeowner. One of their clients, Audrey, kindly allowed us a chance to see how a vision becomes her very own oasis of peace and calm.
1. Rustic Creek Landscaping
Nick and Stacey began their business 20 years ago with just a shovel and a wheelbarrow. Now they use their unique eye and extensive knowledge to create an exciting outdoor area that works for clients. For Audrey, they included an outdoor kitchen, various focal points, pergolas for shade, and even trails to follow and explore the L-shaped garden.
2. Creating 'Rooms'
Outside of summer, the temperature is some of the most temperate in the nation. Therefore cooking, lounging, and watching tv are even better in the fresh air. This outdoor kitchen and fireplace allows for a gathering space that is cozy and versatile. The pergola also offers shade from the direction of the setting sun. Being aware of the sun's position helps with layouts and planting too.
3. Textures and Layers
Nick advises to plant vegetation where taller plants grow behind shorter ones, allowing for a layered effect. He also advocates for the use of different colors and sizes in the gravel and rocks to create contrast and interest that draws the eye around the entire space. In Audrey's backyard, Nick also softened cactus with nearby pygmy palms.
4. Hardscapes
For Audrey, Nick reduced the grass and used pavers and trails to enhance the feel and look of a desert landscape. However, the use of potted plants, various vines for pops of color, heat hardy flowering plants, and maintaining some of the pre-existing mature trees meant that the effect still was lush and green rather than dusty and brown. Therefore by intermingling hardscapes wisely with well positioned desert plants and proper watering lines you can achieve a low maintenance garden.
www.rusticscapes.com