West Texas Ranch - Plants/Landscape

Built: 2013

The design honors the cultural heritage of the landscape while repairing its ecological integrity. Old ranch roads have been re-vegetated with native grasses. The edges of new roads and parking are softened by native plantings that include grasses, yucca, agave, prickly pear, candelillia, mesquite and desert willow. Xeric native plants bring life to the interior walled gardens, attracting local birds and butterflies. Native mesquite trees were used as the main desert tree, along with desert willows and other drought tolerant plants. Walls were made from local sand and stone from the ranch, calling attention to the inherent beauty of the land itself. With the exception of one bed of iceberg roses and the pecan and fruit trees, all of the new plantings will survive intense droughts.These efforts create a sleek, yet rugged landscape that balances human and environmental wellbeing.