Author: csDevTeam

The Butchart Gardens of Brentwood Bay, British Columbia showcase several distinctive floral displays that attract nearly one million visitors each year. The gardens were built on the property of Robert Pim Butchart and his wife, Jennie, who owned a limestone quarry where the gardens now lie. The gardens are a National Historic Site of Canada, and they have continued to evolve through their century-long history.

Butchart History

As the Butcharts settled into their sprawling property in Brentwood Bay, they commissioned Japanese garden designer, Isaburo Kishida, to build a garden on their estate. Following the creation of this garden, Jennie Butchart converted the exhausted quarry into the Sunken Garden, which was completed in 1921. The tennis courts of the property were later transformed into an Italian garden, and the kitchen vegetable garden was converted to a large rose garden. Through generations, gardens have been passed down through the Butchart family, and they are now owned by the Butcharts’ great-granddaughter, Robin-Lee Clarke.

Garden Collections

Along with the unique gardens of the property, Butchart Gardens features collections of bronze statues, which have been installed to commemorate moments in the gardens’ history. The Ross Fountain in the lower reservoir was installed in 1964 to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Butchart Gardens. The entirety of the gardens is served by miles of underground wiring, which illuminates the gardens at night. Butchart Gardens is open to the public all year, and it is particularly beautiful in the autumn when the colors of fall create a vivid canopy in the treetops.

Are you seeking design inspiration for your own garden at home? Santa Rita Landscaping can help you create the outdoor space of your dreams with exceptional landscaping solutions in Southern Arizona. To learn more about our services, visit our website or call us at (520) 623-0421.

This article is part of our collection of The Most Spectacular Gardens in the World!

Shalimar Bagh is a garden that is arguably one of the most beautiful public parks in the world, and undoubtedly one of the oldest and most cherished. Shalimar Bagh dates back to 1619 when it was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan. It is considered the peak of Mughal horticulture, and it covers 12.4 hectares along the shores of Dal Lake in the Kashmir region of India. The park is actually connected to the lake through a channel that carries water through the elaborate landscape.

Garden History

Throughout its history, Shalimar Bagh has undergone many extensions and taken a number of different names, though Shalimar Bagh remains the most common. During much of the 17^th century, much of the garden was only accessible to noblemen and guests of the court.

Islamic garden layout

The garden is designed as an adaptation of an Islamic garden layout called the Persian gardens. The main axis of the rectangular garden is the Shah Nahar, which is a channel that runs through the three terraces of the garden, each serving a distinctive purpose.

Terrace architecture

There is elaborate detailing in each of the garden’s three terraces, though some of the structures originally on the grounds are now derelict. The first terrace has always served as a public garden featuring a public audience hall with a black marble thrown installed over a waterfall. The second terrace once housed the hall of private audience, which was reserved for European guests and noblemen. In the third terrace, water flows through the Zenana garden with a baradari of black marble at the center, surrounded by a fountain pool. The whole of the gardens are known for arched niches behind garden waterfalls, which feature flower pots that reflect their colors in the water.

If you are seeking design inspiration for your residential or commercial landscape, call Santa Rita Landscaping at (520) 623-0421. Our team of Tucson landscape design experts can help you create an inspiring outdoor space on any Southern Arizona property.

This article is part of our collection of The Most Spectacular Gardens in the World!

Anyone living in Tucson knows that rain does not come often in the southwest, but when it rains, it pours. During these times of winter storms and monsoons, homeowners and businesses may take advantage of the downpour with rainwater harvesting systems that can reduce your high water bills in the harsh desert landscape. Even if you maintain a landscape primarily of native plants, you will still need irrigation and watering systems for your residential yard or corporate property. With rainwater harvesting, you can reduce waste in watering and add more sustainability to your landscape while enjoying the benefits detailed below.

Minimal Infrastructure

Since most rooftops already feature drainage systems, they are suitable as catchment areas that can be easily attached to harvesting systems. This can keep the cost of installation down, which will optimize the financial benefits of a rainwater harvesting system.

Reduced Need for Ground Water

Rainwater harvesting can help you reduce your household’s impact on ground water depletion, which is a big concern for residents in the Southern Arizona region.

Lower Soil Erosion Rates

With an effective rainwater harvesting system in place, you can store water that may otherwise cause flooding in low lying areas on your property. By minimizing floods, you can reduce soil erosion and ground water contamination from pesticides and fertilizers that may be on the surface of the soil.

Diverse Uses around the House

Harvested rainwater may be useful in more areas than the garden. You might use it to wash your car or connect to your plumbing so that you preserve more ground water and further reduce your environmental impact. Because rainwater is free of chemicals that may be found in ground water, it is actually a favorable substitute for applications like watering plants.

If you are considering rainwater harvesting for your sustainable landscape design in Tucson, call Santa Rita Landscaping at (520) 623-0421 to explore your options. Our custom commercial and residential landscaping solutions will help you increase the value of your home and create a beautiful, welcoming space to enjoy the Arizona sunshine.

Your small backyard may not be able to accommodate an in-ground swimming pool or an expansive deck, but there are plenty of ways to utilize this space for entertaining. From strategically placing your outdoor seating to adding small platform steps, there are subtle ways to enhance your outdoor living space. Here are simple ideas to transform a small backyard landscape into an integral part of your home.

Planting privacy

Adding large, leafy plants are an elegant way to screen your backyard space while framing the view to your house. You can also create a private, cozy retreat by planting enough small shrubs to screen out the neighborhood view. At the same time, you can install a low split-rail fence with a couple rows of shrubs at the end of your property to create the illusion your yard is bigger.

Installing a fireplace

Backyard fireplaces add a level of warmth that is perfect for a cozy backyard seating area. They are also available in a variety of sizes and materials. This means you can install an outdoor fireplace that won’t overwhelm the seating area with its size.

Removing clutter

In a smaller backyard, space is a premium. As a result, you should include built-in seating when possible and only add enough plants necessary to make a statement in the seating area. At the same time, you can leave some room in the seating area to bring additional chairs outside when guests are over.

Tucson landscapers Brian and Garrett Ham originally began Santa Rita Landscaping to offer landscaping services in Tucson and southern Arizona. Today, we have become one of the best and largest companies offering landscape design Tucson. For more information, call (520) 623-0421.