Xeriscape Contest Winners Announced
June 5, 2010

The winners of the 2010 Xeriscape contest were announced at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's first Summer Saturday Evening of the season. Afterwards participants and visitors took in activities related to conserving water in our arid environment, while enjoying the cool of evening on the Museum's grounds.

David and Barbara Wrench's garden

First place winners in the Homeowner Category are David and Barbara Wrench, whose residential botanic garden approach has resulted in a beautiful, functional setting with enhanced views and good use of water harvesting. The diversity of unusual and low water use plant specimens provides interest at every turn.
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Second Place in the Homeowner category was awarded to Phil and Bev Waystack, whose landscape creates a comfortable setting using drought-tolerant plants. In keeping with the spirit of Xeriscape, the plants chosen can survive on rainwater alone.
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The Judges' Award for "Public Interpretation of Xeriscape" went to homeowners Andrew Wedel and Adam Ussishkin for their efforts to educate the community using their seasonally changing garden to set the stage for communication of the principles of xeriscape. Their innovative water-harvesting system is pure genius.
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First Place in the professionally designed residential category went to Shelly Ann Abbott, of Landscape Design West, LLC, for the Fosdick residence. Hardscape design and plant selections make a strong statement in this xeric wildlife garden that was converted from an aging high-water-use landscape.
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In the Public Works category, First Place was awarded to the Tucson Department of Transportation, City of Tucson, for the Prudence Road median strip, which is a fine example of landscaping without supplemental irrigation. With resources shrinking, this kind of approach to landscaping is truly prudent.
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Westland Resources claimed the judges' special award for "Exemplary Community Cooperation and Education" for the Davidson Education Garden at Davidson Elementary School, TUSD. Many people came together to make this enhancement to the school and the neighborhood, and Westland Resources led the way, from master plan to implementation. TUSD and Tucson Parks and Recreation now maintain the gardens, with Westland Resources providing input when necessary.
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The prestigious J.D. Di Meglio "Artistry in Landscaping" award was given to homeowner Sheilah Jaramillo for her imaginative, yet comfortable garden area tied together with sculptures made of adobe.
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Manzo Elementary School, TUSD, received the coveted "Community Xeriscape Leadership" award for the Manzo Sonoran Desert Biome. Over the years, Manzo Elementary has led community workshops in rainwater harvesting and native habitat creation, and currently implements water conservation and native plant curriculum at every grade level.