CONSERVING RESOURCES: First-rate landscapes

Homeowners' properties judged for annual water authority awards

Dale Dombrowski/ViewStrands of lavender snap dragons frame Star Nursery horticulturist Frank Rauscher as he looks over Steven Becker?s backyard on Plaza Del Padre, just east of South Valley View Boulevard, during judging on May 2 for the Southern Nevada Water Authority Landscape Awards. Dale Dombrowski/ViewWith a yucca in the foreground, Southern Nevada Water Authority conservation programs manager Summer Ortiz judges aspects of Robert Stastny?s backyard landscape in northwest Las Vegas, May 2, during judging for the Southern Nevada Water Authority Landscape Awards. dale dombrowski/viewSouthern Nevada Water Authority public information coordinator Nicole Lise, left, chats with homeowner Steven Becker in his backyard on May 2 during judging for the Southern Nevada Water Authority Landscape Awards. Advertisement

A caravan of three vehicles pulled up to select homes in the valley on May 2, making dogs bark and neighbors peer out their windows.

But there was no cause for alarm. The crew was there to judge the finalists in the 2008 Southern Nevada Water Authority Landscape Awards.

"People send in pictures, but they just don't do them justice," said Frank Rauscher, staff horticulturist at Star Nursery and a judge for the contest. "You have to see them for yourself."

In the weeks before, residents involved in the water authority's rebate program, which encourages residents to replace turf with xeriscaping, had entered the contest. They provided photos of their completed projects and a committee narrowed down the pool to 11 finalists.

A team of judges, most of them employees of the water authority, then went to the homes to determine the winners, which will be announced on June 12.

The judging parameters included overall aesthetics, curb appeal, proportion, repetition, balance, plant groupings and focal points and flow.

In Spanish Oaks, Steve Becker's back yard was a finalist. His condo is located on a large corner lot, and every part of its backyard -- approximately 3,500 square feet -- was designed as a mini-oasis.

Just off his patio was the focal point -- a fish pool with a cascading waterfall. The rest of the yard featured a meandering trail that included desert plants, such as cactus, yucca, desert willow and Penstemon on varying elevations.

"He used bottlebrush, probably the most attractive in our native plant palette," said Doug Bennett, conservation manager for the water authority. "I feel like I've escaped the neighborhood."

Becker, who works as an ear, nose and throat doctor, said he goes out hiking a lot and comes back to research the plants he sees in order to determine if they can be part of his yard.

He pointed out his Euphoria gopher plant, and said, "They swing around to follow the sun. It's fun to watch."

Robert Stastny's backyard was a finalist. Between the swimming pool, built-in barbecue and bar feature directly off his kitchen, the place seems to be a natural for entertaining.

Stastny, who resides on Madre Mesa Drive and commutes to his job as an administrator for a California university, bought the house about a year and a half ago. At that time, the backyard was raw desert.

"I'm very much into native desert plants," he said. "I wanted it to be as natural as possible. That's why I wanted the washes and the creosote."

The desert plants were a diverse mix, including a blue Mediterranean palm, a Palo Verde tree and an ocotillo, which sported bright, orange flowers.

The yard was dotted with items of interest, such as a tall, wooden oil rigging with a wind spinner. An elf held court in one area. A bunny ears cactus plant was near the walkway.

"It's a cute name for a vicious plant," Rauscher said. "If you touch it, you get tiny stickers that just won't come out.'

Jennifer Quinton, judge and graphic artist, said the plants were grouped well, and "the splashes of color break things up."

In January, the water authority reached the 100 million mark for how many square feet of sod had been converted to xeriscaping in Southern Nevada.

The rebate program began in 1999. Qualified participants in the program received a rebate of $1.50 per square foot of grass converted to xeriscaping.

Bennett called changing out a lawn a win-win situation.

"But, a lot of times, people don't know where to begin," he said. "They just can't envision how to make it Xeriscape."

The water authority uses the contest winners as examples to encourage others and give them ideas. Its Web site contains suggestions, as does a CD it recently put out, titled "Simply Beautiful." The CD is available for free at the Las Vegas Valley Water District, 1001 S. Valley View Blvd.

Local nurseries also have staff knowledgeable about desert plants.

For more information, visit www.snwa.com or call 258-7283.