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What color is your Paradise?

Q. "We have just moved into a Historic District and wondered are there any regulations controlling the type of landscaping for historic homes?"

A. This is a question I am often asked. First of all, there are no official regulations for landscaping historic homes. However, before you start planning here are some considerations.

Ask yourself: What attracted you to the historic districts in the first place? The answer I almost always get when I ask that question is something like, "I loved driving down the streets with the large trees, seeing houses with their grassy lawns and unique styles; the old-world feeling of the neighborhoods and the charming streetscapes."

As you can see from these comments, the attractiveness of historic districts is due not only to the distinctive architecture of the homes but to the streetscapes as well.

Landscaping is an integral part of the historic integrity of every home and, very importantly, the neighborhood as a whole. Without the old-world type of landscaping, these neighborhoods would look and feel rather different.

So, what kind of landscaping is appropriate for a historic home?

First of all, the purpose of Historic Designation is to preserve a piece of our past. Therefore, as a historic homeowner you are the caretaker of a portion of American history. To preserve the look and features of the era in which these homes were built the most appropriate landscaping is a combination of trees, grass lawns, shrubs and some gardens.

When these homes were built in the 1920s to 1940s, Phoenix was an oasis in the desert. Many of the neighborhoods had ... and still have flood irrigation. All of the homes had trees and grass and most streets were lined with palms while others had pine trees. Over the years we have lost some of these wonderful old trees. So many neighborhoods today have programs, in conjunction with the National Forest Service, to assist homeowners in purchasing trees for their right-of-way areas.

Desert landscaping is definitely not appropriate for any historic home!
Unfortunately a growing number of historic homeowners have converted their front yards to desert landscaping or simply neglect their yards till they look like a dirt patch. It is a tragedy to drive through the neighborhoods and see mature trees dying for lack of a bit of water in the summer.

Let's not ostracize our neighbors who may have switched to (or inherited) a xeriscaped yard-but if you are re-landscaping, please don't go there yourself!

If you must decrease the amount of grass on your property then choose a design that has a combination of grass and gardens. I have seen some homeowners very successfully keep a nice expanse of grass close to the house and then design desertscape gardens on the perimeter with drip irrigation in the gardens to save water and for ease of care.

Also, it is never too late to plant a tree. Trees are extremely easy to care for, and if you place them on the west and south side of your house they will help to keep your home cooler in the summer. I especially like planting some deciduous trees on the south side so the sun is blocked in the summer and I get plenty of warm sun in the winter months.

If you need advice on what trees and shrubs are appropriate and do well in this climate, your local nursery is only too happy to help you. Tell them you have a historic home and they can point you to plants and trees that are appropriate.

Remember, the best time to plant tree and shrubs is in the spring-so, happy planting. Good luck!

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Helen Prier is a longtime resident of F.Q. Story Historic District and co-founder and Director of the Phoenix Historic Districts Coalition.