November 14, 2026
Those who know and love Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, outside of Denver, would appreciate this garden. It was on an Open Days tour in September under the name A Rocky Step Garden, and as I drove up the street, I gasped.
Rocky indeed! Check out this red rock formation docked along the street like an ocean liner in Venice. Dwarfing trees and houses, it’s an element of surreality in the suburbs.
I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner come beep-beeping up the street.
The garden climbs a slope, held by boulders and dry-loving plants like cholla, agave, and rabbitbrush.
Agastache and ‘Snow Leopard’ cholla, whose white spines echo the stucco of the house
Looking up toward the porch steps
A small crevice garden at the bottom step segues into bigger rocks. Agaves, cacti, and small flowering perennials cling to the rocks. This must be a challenging space to maintain.
Prickly pear growing among the rocks
A paver path continues up the hill toward a cantilevered deck. Agave, ‘Snow Leopard’ cholla, and a desert willow add xeric beauty.
Agave and cholla backed by undulating Gambel oaks
Agave (neomexicana?) with cholla and desert willow
Gotta admire those needle-like black spines
I like the rustic creativity of this garden spigot built into a tree-branch post. A second post holds a watering can at the ready.
Midway up the sloping garden, a surprise! Here’s a waterlily pond backed by a curvy stucco wall with three ornate fountain spouts. Rugged stone edges the front for a natural touch. Beyond, there’s more red rock…
…and that Carnival cruise ship of a rock. What a borrowed view!
The white stucco wall wiggles its way along the path…
…defining the garden and perhaps diverting runoff from the red rocks. At the top of the garden, two patios offer space for outdoor dining — with a view of the unique geology all around.
Red rock everywhere
On a table, a flowering succulent and slice of tree trunk make natural decor.
A clay pot adds more serpentine curves.
Narrow steps lead from the patio up onto bare rock.
A bench up here provides a place to enjoy an elevated view of house and garden. A shaded terrace on the side…
…overlooks the pond.
At the front of the house, atop the terraced garden, the view reminds me of the Texas Hill Country near Enchanted Rock.
Mullein in bloom
Side view with kinnikinnick (I think) and red yucca
Red yucca and a standing stone
This garden has several examples of creative reuse of tree trunks and branches, like this railing along the driveway where it crosses a gully.
And this waving tree trunk fellow
What an otherworldly landscape in which to make a garden. I really enjoyed seeing what the owners were able to achieve by working within the constraints of rock and hill and drought.
Up next: The home garden of cold-hardy cactus grower Kelly Grummons. For a look back at the pollinator-friendly Denver Dry Garden of Heidi Harris, click here.
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