Sonoran Quarterly Article

Berlin Agave-Yucca Forest Planning and Design Begins

By Elaine McGinn,
Director of Planning and Exhibits

Design development for the Garden's newest initiative, the Berlin Agave-Yucca Forest, began in March with the selection of e group as the landscape design firm. e group is a Phoenix based company that has 30 years experience in working with desert landscapes. Their firm includes landscape architects, horticulturists, and planning and graphic specialists.

Located south of Sybil B. Harrington Succulent Gallery, the new exhibit will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to view the diverse agave and nolina families. Interpretation will reinforce concepts about desert plant adaptations and their horticultural and historical significance to the gardens living collection.

The schematic design concept for the Agave-Yucca Forest is best described as an exaggerated boulder experience blanketed and edged by agaves, yuccas, and nolinas, providing a sense of enclosure and immersion.

Funded by a generous gift from Howard and Joy Berlin to Tending the Garden Campaign, the Berlin Yucca-Agave Forest is scheduled to open in November 2009. Construction for the new exhibit will begin in July and continue through the fall.