A Sleek Southwestern Backyard
Four tips for a low-maintenance contemporary space
Photographs by Laurey W. Glenn. © 2023 Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
I am beyond thrilled to share that I once again created the landscape for the HGTV Smart Home 2023, this time in Santa Fe, New Mexico! It was so much fun to work with designer Tiffany Brooks and to flex new design muscles in a garden zone where I rarely have the opportunity to work! Using one of my customized Bespoke Garden Plans, we transformed the gorgeous, rugged desert surroundings of this super-cool house into a sophisticated space that’s perfect for enjoying year-round!
You can catch the home’s premiere with all the details during the one-hour HGTV Smart Home 2023 special, which airs Friday, April 28 at 7 p.m. EST on HGTV and HGTV GO, as well as discovery+ the same day. In the meantime, because this home is so different than the South where I do much of my landscape work, I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the elements of garden design in Zone 6. We followed the principles of xeriscaping, a style that requires little to no irrigation and includes a focus on water conservation, soil improvement, turf, native plants, mulch, and low maintenance.
Below are my four favorite ways to get a beautiful backyard in a stunning Southwestern area like Santa Fe, where rainfall averages just 14 inches per year!
1. Artificial turf
It can be really tough to grow grass here, so low-maintenance artificial turf is a wonderful option that looks great, too! The pop of green is pretty against the earth tones of the landscape. If you can select one with a cooling element, definitely do that.
Photographs by Laurey W. Glenn. © 2023 Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
2. Fire pit
A cozy fire pit is the perfect way to tuck in a year-round gathering spot. This little transitional zone is curtained off from the plunge pool with waist-high planters and offers practical warmth for cooler evenings—even in the desert!
Photographs by Laurey W. Glenn. © 2023 Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
3. Containers
Flowers may not be as plentiful in beds here, but you can still add homey touches with mini-gardens—and I can’t resist the chance to plant a great container! We placed potted greenery all around the deck, from the grilling station to the pool and lounge areas, to soften the surroundings and add extra life.
Photographs by Laurey W. Glenn. © 2023 Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved
4. Durable decking
Trex Decking is a high-performance, eco-friendly composite board made with 95% recycled materials. Here, we used the Transcend line, which offers a cooling element that prevents it from getting as hot as other materials. Another plus: The boards are fade- and stain-resistant, providing another low-maintenance option for your backyard!
Photographs by Laurey W. Glenn. © 2023 Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved
