2026 PGSU Garden Story: Lee

Hughes Family Native Garden

Nestled above the Tuacahn Wash on land protected by conservation easements, Lee’s garden is a masterclass in desert-wise design and thoughtful stewardship. Begun when the home was built in 1993 and nurtured over decades, the garden showcases an evolving collection of native and well-adapted plants woven among volcanic rock and sculptural metal art.

At its core is a philosophy of minimal irrigation and maximum resilience. Mesquite, sand sage, and yucca form the structural backbone, thriving naturally without irrigation, while only a few select specimens receive occasional supplemental water during extended drought.

Visitors will discover native cacti in many forms—barrel, hedgehog, pencil cholla, and claret-cup—some long established and others added over time. Several plants have arrived on their own, including sand sage and a striking Desert Willow—often called the “desert orchid” for its soft lavender blooms—highlighting the garden’s beautifully semi-wild, place-based character.

Rock and topography play a central role in shaping the landscape. Lava rock, brought in during the original build, anchors planting pockets and creates microhabitats, while larger boulders frame both plantings and views.

Just beyond the cultivated space, a more natural area transitions into native riparian growth along the wash, where Mormon tea, four-wing saltbush, indigo bush, rabbitbrush, and native sedges reflect the shift from sandy soils to heavier blue clay.

The nearby wash ties the garden to the broader desert ecosystem, even influencing the presence of marshy elements and cattails further down-valley.

A Garden Rooted in Knowledge

This landscape is also a living classroom. Lee brings decades of experience, having spent 35 years working with the BLM across Utah and Nevada monitoring rare and endangered plants.

Now retired, he continues his passion through involvement with the Kayenta Desert Arboretum and the Santa Clara Arboretum. His influence is seen in the garden’s thoughtful plant labeling, volunteer-supported care, and community offerings such as plant sales and guided tours throughout Southern Utah and the Arizona Strip.

His work removing invasive species—particularly salt cedar—has helped shape a landscape that supports and protects local biodiversity.

The garden strikes a graceful balance between curated and wild. Maintained pathways and labeled specimens guide visitors, while natural colonies and self-seeding plants bring texture, movement, and seasonal change.

One of the most delightful surprises is Lee’s Mesquite Bonsai. Once a large, aging tree, it was cut down to three two-foot stumps. Over time, vigorous new growth emerged - six strong limbs reaching skyward. Through careful, ongoing pruning, Lee has transformed it into a whimsical, living sculpture. It’s a testament to both resilience and creativity… though he admits the ladder work may someday become optional.

For Parade of Gardens visitors, this space offers both inspiration and insight. It’s a reminder that a low-water landscape can be rich in texture, alive with diversity, and deeply connected to place.

Expect quiet beauty, unexpected details, and a powerful example of what patient stewardship can create.

Come enjoy Lee's garden at the Parade of Gardens; April 24th-26th, 2026.