Garden Photo of the Day

Wendy’s Albuquerque Garden

A DIY landscape

large rose bushes with red flowers

Hi! My name is Wendy Blair, and I’m a Master Gardener from Albuquerque, New Mexico. My family moved here from Los Angeles in 2011 and bought a home on an acre North ABQ. The house was plopped in the middle of the lot with very little curb appeal or plantings. I’ve always loved gardening but had no idea what an amazing (but challenging) climate I was moving to.

In the 12 years we’ve lived here, we have completely changed our landscape. With approval from local agencies, we diverted an arroyo that went through our land. This enabled us to install a nice-size yard space. We’ve put in pergolas, a lawn, a cutting garden, a pool, a chicken coop, a small orchard, a moon garden, a raised vegetable garden, as well as a Japanese-themed garden. The jewel of our home is the Spanish-themed courtyard we built in 2017. It has a gorgeous fountain, a fireplace, a grapevine-covered pergola, and a pizza oven.

My husband is a contractor, and with the help of our kids, we have done most of the construction on the hardscape ourselves. We’re big DIYers! I have personally done all the plant selecting and planting/digging. We now have a four-season landscape complete with conifers, shade trees, fruit trees, and lots of gorgeous flowering shrubs and perennials. My favorites are roses, hydrangeas, and peonies! I’ve also gotten our space certified as a backyard wildlife habitat. We think it’s beautiful, and I hope you do too!

dog sitting in the middle of the lawnAmple grassy area for kids and pets to play

white flowers in the gardenBeautiful single white peonies (Paeonia lactiflora, Zones 3–8) in full spring bloom

large rose bushes with red flowersHave you ever seen roses looking better? The low New Mexico humidity helps reduce disease problems in roses.

Japanese maple with yellow foliageGorgeous yellow foliage from a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, Zones 5–9)

garden in spring with white and purple flowersSpring view, with white tulips (Tulipa hybrid, Zones 3–8) and bearded iris (Iris hybrid, Zones 3–9) in the foreground bed

close up of light pink rosesAbout the happiest roses ever

stone urn container with red flowersRed-flowered annuals showing off in this urn

grape fine growing up a garden pergola on patioGrapes growing on the arbor in the courtyard

If you want to see more of Wendy’s garden, check out her Instagram: @505garden

 

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Comments

  1. sandyprowse 04/05/2023

    Well all I can say Wendy is: “BREATHTAKING!” The single white peonies are amazing and how reassuring that your dog is able to feel comfortable in the setting as well. I feel as if I have been on a holiday and have not left my home. Thank you for sharing your beautiful outdoor space. Well done and Bravo!

    1. User avater
      505garden 04/05/2023

      Thank you Sandy! The peony is a Jan Van Leeuwen.

  2. Oxdriftgardener 04/05/2023

    WOW! The colour and vigor of that climbing rose are amazing. Love the grapes on the arbour. AND ample room for the dog and kids to romp. Well done!

  3. jeremywalsh 04/05/2023

    Beautiful landscaping. The roses are show stoppers and the grapes are amazing.

  4. jeremywalsh 04/05/2023

    Does anyone know the variety of Japanese Maple shown (yellow leaves)?

    1. User avater
      505garden 04/05/2023

      Hi Jeremy. The Japanese Maple is a Bihou. It’s a semi-dwarf with small serrated leaves. It’s absolutely lovely.

  5. User avater
    cynthia2020 04/05/2023

    Wendy - stunning! I love the roses the most. So carefully planned.

  6. sheila_schultz 04/05/2023

    You certainly have a beautiful property filled with very happy plants! The mass of white peonies is eye catching and your climbing roses are quite magnificent planted en masse! I'd love to see more...

    1. User avater
      505garden 04/05/2023

      Thanks Sheila! I have a garden specific blog on instagram @505garden with lots of photos and information on the individual plants if you’d like to see more!

  7. User avater
    simplesue 04/05/2023

    So elegant and stately! I'm so impressed your husband and kids did the hardscape, great design and plants look perfect, and not cluttered (like I get with cramming tons of plants in!) Nice work!

  8. user-7821942 04/05/2023

    Wendy,

    Magnificent! Your roses are remarkable and the overall ambiance of your garden spaces is restful and restorative. The courtyard is dreamy. Nicely done!

    KT

  9. jos29803 04/05/2023

    MAGNIFICIENT!!!!

  10. janetsydoruk 04/05/2023

    Absolutely beautiful! Thank you. .

  11. MohawkValley 04/06/2023

    Absolutely beautiful . Nice job ! Everything looks quite "happy" ! Peace from the Mohawk Valley in New York .

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