United States -- Arizona -- Maricopa County -- Phoenix
El Chaparral (Phoenix, Arizona)
Scope and Contents:
22 digital images (2014, 2020-2021).
General:
el chaparral is located in the Citrus Homes subdivision and Burgess Lateral District of Phoenix, Arizona. Established in 1992, the 3-acre property features desert gardens, perimeter greenery, sculptures, and a view of nearby Camelback Mountain. The name for el chaparral (all lower case) was influenced by the owner's familial connection to the property and the American Southwest.
The garden is connected to the historical agricultural development of the surrounding central Arizona landscape. The property is sited on a former citrus grove, which was supplied water by the historic irrigation canals constructed in 1897. Entering the property one crosses the Burgess Lateral canal and passes behind a high oleander hedge and through the rusted iron gate. A circular crushed granite drive loops around a low, hedge-defined square of lawn whose symmetrical grass pathways radiate in four directions. Centered is a bronze "Snail Boy" Italian fountain within a circular pond, The visual center here is aligned with the 2700-foot peak of Camelback Mountain, about a mile to the north.
Numerous palm trees, cypress, and tree-size pittosporum, bottle brush, and myrtle remaining from the 1930s soften the organic texture of unsheathed brick walls painted a cool and creamy white. The perimeters of the garden are consistently green, with many varieties of tall trees providing both definition and privacy. Ficus, pomegranates, live oaks, and orchid trees fulfill their functions well.
Completing the garden, a gated white brick retaining wall separates the pool area from a lower-level 136-foot by 36-foot lawn that incorporates the entire back third of the property. The south perimeter is bookended on the east and west ends with small stands of citrus trees that memorialize the area's agricultural past. Tree-shaded, beehive-shaped stacked sandstone sculptures created by John V. Long, landscape architect, line the south boundary of the lawn (the west end grove contains real beehives).
North of the east citrus grove are six raised beds planted seasonally with vegetables and flowers. A potting shed complete with compost bins and a chicken coop border the farming plot. Adjacent to it, framing the northeast corner of the front yard, lies a spacious desert garden designed by Christy Ten Eyck called the "Hummingbird Garden." It contains cactus, succulents, rock, and John V. Long sculptures.
The design of the house was completed by Chicagoan Edward Loomis who had been the architect of Camelback Inn. It was completed by the winter of 1938. The property consists of a main house, guest house, garage, carport, and tractor barn, created in a Spanish-eclectic style similar to that of the Inn. It was later remodeled with the assistance of local architect Peter Lendrum.
Persons associated with the garden's design: John V. Long (landscape architect and sculptor, 1990s), Christy Ten Eyck (desert garden designer).
Provenance:
The Arizona Columbine Garden Club facilitated this garden documentation in 2022.
Collection Restrictions:
Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Collection Rights:
Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
Sponsor:
A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
