Desert Gardens of Steve Martino

This survey of twenty-one gardens by Steve Martino whose work blends colorful man-made elements with native plants to reflect the sun-drenched beauty of the desert is sure to inspire gardeners landscapers and admirers of California and the Southwest. For more than thirty years Steve Martino has been committed to the development and advancement of landscape architecture in the Southwest. His pioneering work with native plant material and the development of a desert-derived design aesthetic is widely recognized. A recurring theme of his work is the dramatic juxtaposition of man-made elements with ecological processes of the region. His love for the desert - the interplay of light and shadow the colors plants and wildlife - inspires his work. As Martino explains "Gardens consist of two worlds the man-made and the natural one. Ive described my design style as Weeds and Walls - nature and man. I use native plants to make the transition from a building to the adjacent natural desert." Though Martinos work is deeply connected to the natural world he also has a flair for the dramatic which is apparent from his lively color selections sculptural use of plants and keen attention to lighting shadows and reflections. Boldly colored stucco walls frame compelling views of the desert and sky expanding the outdoor living area while solving common site problems such as lack of privacy or shade. Interspersed are custom structures molded in translucent fiberglass in vivid hues--colorful arbors outdoor showers and internally lit benches.