Paradise Valley - Casa Paloma The Lau Garden

The Lau Estate, also named Casa Paloma (translated as House of the Dove) for the many birds that visit the property, is located on 1.3 acres of land in Paradise Valley, a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona. Patti and Fred Lau bought the property in 2014, which included a house that was originally designed by Bill Tull, a mid-20th century Phoenix architect. Tull was known for designing soft sculptural homes incorporating Pueblo, Moorish and Territorial influences, with handcrafted distinguishing elements featuring windows that framed trees, carved corbels, ceilings accented with vigas and latillas, rounded corners, sculptural fireplaces, and stepped wall heights. The Laus were inspired to create a garden that would complement the adobe-style home and the Sonoran Desert flora. The Laus created a drought resistant pollinator habitat that uses native plant and tree species that need little water once established in the property. However, all of the trees are on an irrigation watering system to be used when needed, including drip irrigation to many of the plants. The garden includes 19 species of desert-loving trees, 24 species of agaves, 9 species of aloes, and hundreds of cacti and succulents that include native flowering plants attractive to bees, birds and butterflies. Some of these plants include saguaros, ocotillos, prickly pear, cholla, and other cacti native to the Sonoran Desert. Plant propagation is an important part of the Laus' landscaping; the plant nursery along the north side of the property facilitates the propagation of small cuttings of agaves, prickly pear, and aloes until they grow large enough to become part of the landscape design. Other garden features include a chiminea, a free-standing fireplace that was traditionally made of clay and originally brought by Spanish conquistadors to Mexico and the Southwest 400 years ago; a circular drive made of stabilized crushed granite; a front flagstone patio; a citrus orchard; and a swimming pool. The garden file includes an extensive plant list. Persons associated with the garden's design: Fred Lau (homeowner and landscape designer, 2013- ), Michele Shelor (landscape architect, 2015), Peter Lendrum (architect, 2012), and Amy Lau (designer, 2013- ).