Pistachio Palms, Las Vegas, NV: Triplex – Landscape
CLIENT: self
The home was initially nicknamed “Pistachio Pad” but evolved to Pistachio Palms when an errant palm tree showed up in the perfect location in pour front yard. Plus using the Palms moniker was more indicative of the 1950s era. The color came first, then the name, then the decision to plant 3 multi-trunk pistachio trees in front! Initially the plan was to plant rose bushes all along the front split rail style fence. These were planted, and we did get some lovely blooms, but the summer sun proved too harsh for them. We are still reconsidering the final filler plants for the front landscape.
BEFORE AFTER
The new front porch swing has a perfect view of the stratosphere and it is fun to sit and watch the light show at night.
BEFORE AFTER
Backyard Landscape
This is one of the several master planting plans for the back and side yards. Since 2008 we have been researching which plants are most adaptable to the desert climate. So far, we have had much success with stone fruit and nut trees. We have also had success with several high altitude plants.
Because there are 3 units on a small plot of land, we felt it was important to create a variety of spaces where occupants soulc be outside and yet still have privacy and separation from each other. The right side yard includes a very nice lathe house, inspired by the lathe house technique often featured in Sunset Magazine in the 1960s. This porch like sturcture was built on piers. The roof is very lightweight and made of waterproof cloth. In order to keep it from acting like a sail, there are open soffetts to allow air movement to flow through and around the ceiling. This is where wekeep our Infrared sauna and a wonderful Swedish style wood burning fireplace rescued from a Mount Charleston cabin!
This right side yard also includes 2 additional small raised beds made from errant lava rocks we have collected. We have now managed to grow berries and herbs in these plots.
Behind the back studio unit are more fruit and nut trees and now full grown grape vines.
In the back left corner is the main vegetable garden. The old broken down block bbq base was removed and 3 redwood raised beds were installed and filled with Veganic material. Notice this is not ‘organic.’ We do not condone using any animal byproducts in our soil as the manure, fish meal and feather and bone meal, etc, may contain harmful ingredients and GMOs.
Side Yard
In order to get power and water to the far side of the yard, we had to cut the concrete and put in the lines under the driveway. this meant that Cary had to get down with a professional concrete cutter. The side was finally planted with more fruit and nut trees.
