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This garden demonstrates several techniques for harvesting water from the landscape and growing native plants in six different "zones," each with specific environmental conditions. The zones represented in this garden are the dry canyon, ephemeral stream, subalpine, moist canyon, hot dry zone, and damp meadow. After visiting this garden, you may want to develop a zone of your own, while keeping in mind that every rock in this garden except two were moved by hand! E ach zone occurs in a different microsite, created by differences in topography, soil, and level of exposure to sun or shade. Microsites and their associated microclimates influence a zone’s growing conditions and are controlled by a variety of factors. To determine those factors, staff evaluated this garden for the following:
A fter site evaluation, the existing conditions were manipulated in order to create the six different zones in this garden. Methods applied include soil amendment, creation of desirable slope, and rock placement. The natural and created characteristics of these zones are described in the individual Garden Guides found throughout the six garden zones.C atchment channels divert storm water runoff from the nearby roof, sidewalks, and visitors’ parking lot to the garden. Runoff is a valuable resource that can provide supplemental water for natural and created landscapes. Even in the semi-arid climate of Flagstaff, more than 13 gallons of water can fall annually on each square foot of these surfaces. Terraces, swales, and amended soils help to retain water for those plants and animals that prefer damp conditions.
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Copyright © 2007 The Arboretum at Flagstaff
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