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photography by Richard Maack

Standing near the rock wash that runs beneath the home,an iconic multi-armed saguaro stretches upward towardrooflines crowned with distinctive blue-hued bricks thatcomplement the pool tiles. The columned loggia connectingthe home’s wings evokes a sunny Mediterranean ambience.

THE ECLECTIC GARDENAuthor: Cathy CromellIssue: May, 2014, Page 108

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AN ORDINARY LANDSCAPE BECOMESEXTRAORDINARY WITHTHOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED PLANTINGSPACES

Kim and Chris McWaters love Arizona’sboundless opportunities for enjoying thegreat outdoors, so when they first visiteda Whisper Rock Estates home in northScottsdale, they were drawn to the area’snatural desert terrain and mature standsof stately saguaros. The large propertyoffered open space to walk and explore,and the home featured multiple outdoorliving areas showcasing an eclectic blendof Southwestern, Mediterranean andEuropean design elements.

After purchasing the home, however, thecouple discovered that accessing somespots around the property could be

awkward. Existing fencing lacked gates to the natural domains, while several hardscapeelements were inconveniently positioned, such as a large fountain that splashed water in thepath of foot traffic. Also, planted sections lacked the visual potential offered by theSouthwest’s unique plant palette. Thus, the homeowners asked landscape designer MarkWdowiak of Desert Foothills Landscape to enhance the appearance of the grounds, as well astheir ability to interact with it.

“The McWaters wanted to spend time enjoying their surroundings, so we created naturalpassages around and through existing boulder outcroppings and dry streambeds,” Wdowiakexplains. Adding gates allowed guests to meander in different directions to discover “hiddentreasures,” such as veined white quartz that appears on the site.

“Kim and I really enjoy the home’s seating areas in different sun exposures, because we canbe outdoors any time of day and be protected from harsh sunlight,” comments Chris. One cozynook—tucked between two wings of the home—looks upon a steep, rock-strewn hill. Seated incomfy chairs looking up-slope, the couple is treated to views of birds and other creatures on“Rattler Ridge,” their name for the highest point in the Whisper Rock development.

Although this secluded spot offers great bird watching, the slope’s plant material was sparseuntil Wdowiak transformed the space into a botanical work of art. “I chose to utilize all of theexisting rock, incorporating it into a cohesive arrangement by strategically adding boulders andnumerous specimen cacti and succulents,” he remarks. “The goal was to create a sense ofdepth with different plant shapes, structures, textures and colors, ultimately drawing the eyeup the slope.”

Landscape designer Mark Wdowiak positionedspecimen plants to draw the eye up a slope. Thestriking blue leaves on hybrid blue agaves andgolden barrel cacti provide year-round color.

A Spanish Colonial arched courtyard entryfeatures finely detailed wrought-iron gates.Beyond, cantera spheres and boulders tucked inplanting beds provide cohesiveness, whilevarying brick styles differentiate one space fromthe next.

Wdowiak chose species that would tolerate therelatively narrow space’s three different sunexposures and survive winter cold snaps. Headded Argentine giant, golden barrel, organ pipeand saguaro cacti, as well as agave, blueeuphorbia, desert spoon, ocotillo and yucca. Theowners also positioned two sculptures from theirprevious home on the slope.

Wdowiak performed equally artistic makeovers onplanter beds lining the courtyard and near theSpanish Colonial entry gates. The exposures aredifficult here as well, explains the designer, sousing cacti and succulents that display year-roundcolor eliminates the need for flowering plants thatmay struggle in that locale.

“Markvalues

collaboration, so we were involved as the projectevolved,” comments Chris. “He has greatcommunication with his crew, and we experiencedno headaches with this renovation. In fact, I tellfriends that I was happy to write him a check.”

An intimate seating nook provides views ofwildlife traversing “Rattler Ridge.” Saltillo stepsaccented with Mexican tile risers lead to anelevated patio with a latilla-style covering. AEuropean-looking balustrade (far right) defines aspace the homeowners call their “Juliet balcony.”

While renovating the spa, the homeowners used12 Mexican tile designs to enliven the waterfeature, and also incorporated the samepatterns elsewhere as hardscape accents. Theoriginal spa contained an oddly placed planter,

which was transformed into bench seating.

Fun FactLatillas are long, slender poles or sticks laidbetween or on top of vigas and beams to form aceiling. They may be made from wood, peeledpoles, dried saguaro ribs or ocotillo branches.Spaced with narrow openings atop an outdoorramada, latillas provided early desert dwellerspractical respite from intense sun while allowinglight through so that they could perform theirdaily activities. Although latillas traditionally arelaid straight (such as this home’s patio cover),modern desert architecture also features latillaceilings in distinctive herringbone patterns.

Photos - Clock-wise from top left: Dubbed “The McWatering Hole” by the homeowners, this outdoorliving room offers easy access between the home and pool. Distinctive carving on the stone fireplaceadds Old World appeal. Closing the curtains during winter ensures a cozy space. • The landscapedesigner enhanced what was originally limited space in the existing planting beds and addedwell-chosen specimens. Cardon grandes, the tall cacti on the right (also known as Argentine saguaro),emphasize the traditional loggia’s columnar supports. • A fountain that was inconveniently sited whenthe homeowners moved in was repurposed as a planter, allowing close-up views of an interesting mixof cacti and succulents. • Mark Wdowiak’s design goal was to merge the surrounding natural desertwith the clean lines of the existing pool and structures. Instead of using a softer transition toaccomplish this, he drew attention to their differences by infusing a “random bold brushstroke ofcontrasting spherical color” from the golden barrel cacti. “This created a center point of focus thatserves as a bridge to connect the elements,” he says.