The self-guided tour includes five locations in the greater Taos area.  Be advised that the wonderful diversity of the homes on the tour means they are spread over a wide area. The best experience will come from using the full day to visit the delightful array of ecosystems these locations occupy.

Again this year, there will be artists working at the tour locations. They are water colorist Kathleen Smith, Charles Bartholomew (oils), sculptor Terry Alden doing charcoal drawings, and Sal Giglio.

We would like to thank our sponsors:

• Ace Hardware
• Agua Fria Nursery (Santa Fe)
• Blossom’s Garden Center
• Bud's Cut Flowers
• El Monte Sagrado
• El Prado Garden Center
• Enchanted Florist
• Heidi Smith, Realtor
• High Desert Tree Care
• Living Light Landscaping
• Petree Nursery
• Santa Fe Greenhouses
• Tooley's Trees
• YART

PREVIEW OF 2008 TOUR LOCATIONS

Home of Earth and Water

This is the home and studio of artist Claire Hayes, featuring passive solar construction, original stained glass and hand made decorative tile. A custom designed koi pond with water lilies provides the center piece of the extensive southwestern garden. A path winds through naturalized garden plantings to a scenic overlook of the mountains and mesa.

 

Tree Cottage

Nestled among mature trees, surrounded by a charming garden, this quaint old adobe, once the residence of writer John Nichols, is now home to an accomplished landscape designer. To most of us, recycling is the duty of a good citizen, but here it has been raised to an art, with an exuberantly whimsical collection of found objects. A highlight of the property is an extraordinary tree house you are encouraged to climb into. The studio and a vintage Air Stream trailer, which has been completely refurbished, will also be open.

 

Thom Wheeler Gallery & Studio

The centerpiece of this elegantly landscaped property is a gallery built in traditional adobe style. The artist is also opening his upstairs private home featuring delightful balconies. His studio space with work in progress will also be open. The extensive landscaped garden features a two story fountain with pond and exuberant garden structures. Keep an eye out for the gazebo which is heavily shrouded in silvervine. The ear is charmed by the soothing cascade of an traditional acequia, which has watered the mature standard-size fruit trees for many decades..

Canyon Fantasy

Stone contractor Robert Loveless and his wife Shelley found a lush hideaway along the banks of the Rio Fernando in Taos Canyon and then designed their lavish compound. The gracious hacienda-style home opens onto shady portals and streamside gardenss. The interior features a huge kitchen, custom baths, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and wine grotto designed by local architect William Breashears. A passion for raising livestock led to the creation of a stone and Alpine-style barn complex reached by a curving 55-step stone staircase through the forest. In addition to an extraordinary outdoor kitchen, there are corrals for exotic wool bearing animals including llamas, alpacas, pygora goats, miniature horses and prize-winning angora rabbits.

 

Mayhew Picchu

The adobe surrounded by extensive rock terracing was humorously nicknamed by designer/owners. This spacious view home boasts panoramic sunset views across the golf course to mesa and mountains. Outdoor space is defined by a variety of portals, courtyards, and xeric landscape rooms in an elegant palette which harmonize exquisitely with their surroundings. The 4.4 acre grounds have been completely and lovingly landscaped to the limit of the open space covenant by owners. The southwestern garden style features naturalized floral species among dry creek bed and desertscape features. The fruit orchard and vegetable garden provide comfortable shade and edibles.

Tickets
Admission is $16 advance ($20 day of the tour).   In Taos, tickets are on sale at: 

• Ace Hardware
• Agua Fria Nursery (Santa Fe)
• Blossom’s Garden Center
• Buds Flowers
• El Monte Sagrado
• El Prado Garden Center
• Enchanted Florist
• Petree's Nursery
• FX/18
• YART
  

In Santa Fe, Agua Fria Nursery is a ticket outlet.  You can also email tour@gardencluboftaos.com or call (505) 751-1585 to reserve tickets.

Restaurants
Special menus and/or discounts will be available on tour day at:

• El Monte Sagrado
• Graham's Grille
• Pizano's (Hwy 150 near the old blinking light)
• Ranchos Trading Post Cafe
• YART (afternoone refreshments)

Los Jardineros Garden Club of Taos is a non-profit organization.  Proceeds from the garden tour will be used for civic beautification projects.

Pages about 2005 and 2006 and 2007 tours are still available for viewing.