Casa Encantada

An “Old Arizona” hacienda reimagined sustainably

Landscapes  >  Casa Encantada

For this uptown 1929 Spanish Colonial in Phoenix, The Green Room designed a landscape experience that catapults guests into another time and place. For the owner, a former director of horticulture at the Desert Botanical Garden, the design showcases a valuable collection of specimens from around the world and creates an “Old Arizona” hacienda style garden.

A large scale rain garden thrives under a dense canopy of shade that allows sensitive specimens to flourish in desert heat. All the rain that falls on the rooftop flows into a garden irrigation system, with individual garden beds mounded to control and direct the movement of water.

By placing the right plant in the right place with the right spacing, the garden is a model of integrated pest management eliminating the need for pesticides. The creation of micro-climates promotes the long term health of species. A series of outdoor rooms groups plants according to water usage.

Layered with history and style, the landscape is a respite of serenity and peace in the busy city-center. The home’s garden has been recognized by the Smithsonian Archive of American Gardens. Formerly the home of Senator Carly Hayden.