San Francisco landscape architect plants Summerlin desert with color

Standing in The Ridges in the foothills of Summerlin overlooking the Las Vegas Valley, landscape architect Dick Glanville is among friends -- Damianita, Goldeneye and Ericameria -- to name just a few plants introduced to the community in the early 2000s that are now routinely included in Summerlin's desert landscapes.

For Glanville, one of several landscape architects whose designs and contributions have shaped the community over the years, Summerlin has been a canvas for landscape design, and the community is considered one of the most important projects for his San Francisco-based firm, Glanville Associates.

"I have enjoyed the privilege of working with The Howard Hughes Corp., the developer of Summerlin for more than 20 years -- long before the community even had a name," said Glanville. "While Summerlin's topographical variety has created exciting and unique challenges and opportunities for landscape design, it has been the leadership and willingness of The Howard Hughes Corp. to support water-conserving landscape that has most significantly shaped the look of the community and helped to create strong public acceptance for desert landscaping in Southern Nevada.

"From Summerlin's inception, The Howard Hughes Corp. made a conscious decision to use drought-tolerant plants and minimize turf wherever possible," he said. "Even the Summerlin Parkway, built nearly two decades ago, represented a radical departure from traditional landscaping with its miles of gravel mulch, desert-appropriate plants and limited grass areas. The early success of the community was proof positive that lush green landscapes weren't as critical as once believed. Today, desert landscaping is standard for just about any new development in Southern Nevada."

Another early example of Summerlin's orientation to drought-tolerant plants is The Pueblo Park, another Glanville design.

"This was the first time a Southern Nevada developer preserved a large area of natural desert that would also serve multiple functions for recreational and pedestrian use," he said of the park that has become a model of low water use landscapes within the Las Vegas Valley.

Glanville also cited Summerlin's innovative design technique of keeping turf back from the curb along street sides to minimize water run-off.

"Ten years ago, Summerlin was the only community in Las Vegas where this was evident. Today, it's everywhere," he said.

According to Kevin Orrock, top division executive of The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of Summerlin, the company is even more committed today to creating low water-use landscapes that make sense for our desert climate while still maintaining strong aesthetic appeal.

"Just as desert landscaping has evolved from rock and cactus to a rich and colorful palette of vibrant desert plants, Summerlin's commitment to environmentally friendly landscaping has deepened to reflect both local and global concerns regarding water usage," Orrock said.

According to Glanville, landscaping in The Ridges and newer regions of the community reflect a high level of sophistication, more typical of Scottsdale or Tucson.

"Over the past decade, the number of drought-tolerant plants suitable for our Mojave Desert environment has grown to meet the demand for more interesting and varied desert landscapes," he said. "We are now able to create more appealing landscapes with a greater variety of vegetation that features a broad range of color, texture and size."

According to Orrock, the majority of Summerlin plants are secured from the community's own plant nursery located in the undeveloped western slopes of the community, west of Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway.

A Class-A nursery, the Summerlin facility is located on 15.5 acres and ranks as the state's largest with a current inventory of 4,000 trees and 40,000 plants. It recently received a superior rating by the Nevada Department of Agriculture, receiving no demerits in its semi-annual inspection.

"Landscaping gives Summerlin its character and creates significant aesthetic appeal. Its importance in the community cannot be overlooked," Orrock said.

Summerlin began to take shape in 1990 and is home to more than 95,000 residents. With about 7,500 acres still to develop, including its urban core, Summerlin Centre, the master-planned community is continuing to unfold.

Summerlin is home to more than 100 neighborhood and village parks, more than 150 completed miles of the Summerlin trail system, nine golf courses, a dozen houses of worship, shopping centers, medical and cultural facilities, business parks, 22 public and private schools and more than 100 actively selling floor plans.

Homes are available in a variety of styles -- from single-family homes to townhomes, condominiums and lofts -- priced from the low $200,000s to more than $2 million. Custom home sites in The Ridges are priced from the $500,000s. For more information, visit summerlin.com or call 888-898-5015.