What We Create

In collaboration with the Discovery Homeowners Association, Rockrimmon Elementary School, and Colorado Springs Utilities, Tapis Associates developed the public process, designed and scheduled the completion of the Discovery Xeriscape Demonstration Garden at the neighborhood entrance for Discovery Park.

Prior to improvement planning and execution, the Discovery Park entrance was nondescript, poorly maintained and laid out so as to obscure the view of the sidewalk approaching the elementary school. In addition to being a neighborhood eyesore, the entrance was a safety concern for parents and school officials.

Pulling input and funding from across the city, the garden exists today because of the work and support of the Discovery Homeowners Association, City Parks, Colorado Springs Utilities, Rockrimmon Elementary and several private landscape businesses. The collaborative effort to improve the Discovery Park entrance is an excellent example of businesses, governments and citizens working together to solve a problem. Meetings, orchestrated by Tapis Associates, coordinated and improved the garden concept plan with partner contributions from City Parks for soil amendment, water and irrigation, Colorado Spring Utilities for plant selection, Discovery HOA for design approval and Rockrimmon Elementary for the input of student representatives and volunteers to plant and build the finalized design.

Furthermore, the garden utilizes sustainable xeriscape design without relying on plain gravel fill and scrubby bushes. Instead, the garden showcases the beauty of natural stone and local plants, creating an outdoor space that is both sustainable and beautiful. The garden is a glowing example of artistic, environmentally-sound design in the Pikes Peak Region.

The garden was largely constructed by volunteers from Rockrimmon Elementary school according to the Tapis Associates’ design and implementation plans. Using sustainable design, development and construction techniques, the cooperation of local government, businesses and citizens produced a safer, more vibrant entry garden at Discovery Park.

Horticultural Arts Society's Heritage Garden

This elegant and intimate formal garden located adjacent to the historic Van Briggle Pottery Building in Monument Valley Park embodies the idea that Xeriscape is a design ethic not a design style. In that - a xeriscape garden can aesthetically “fit” into the historic Olmsteadian inspired Monument Valley Park and reestablish the park’s formal garden heritage in a new and sustainable way.

The garden spaces provide opportunity for solitary garden enjoyment, as well as ceremonial gatherings though the use of hardscape and plant selection. The Heritage Garden is a unique showcase of water-thrifty plants in a formal and historic setting.

The gardens’ formal axial layout links the historic Van Briggle Building visually thru the lawn ellipse, the arbor and rests in the Thyme Garden with its centerpiece Van Briggle sundial. Considering the same axis in the other direction, the park’s pastoral fishing pond – water – is linked thru the Thyme Garden, thru the arbor way and onto the luxurious elliptical lawn. The water connection to the lawn cannot be missed, but is counterbalanced by the surrounding water efficient plant beds, holding the xeriscape ethic clear.

Tapis Associates designed and oversaw the construction of the entire garden. Tapis continues with this project through volunteer work and was honored as HAS Volunteer of the Year in 2003.

The garden is an educational gift to Colorado Springs - it is always open to the public for both enjoyment and the study of the sustainable principles it embodies.

Client: Horticultural Arts Society Location: Monument Valley Park, Colorado Springs, CO Award: Partnership for Community Design - Partnership Award 2007

A Gardener's Bungalow

The Arts and Crafts integration of home and garden is fully embraced in this cozy bungalow transformation. Transformation for this garden necessitated reining in a oversized driveway and garage and extensive site re-grading.

Through a combination of walls, planting and topographic sculpting, the garden now highlights the home’s porch entrance and separates the vehicular court and private garden area. The owner’s gardening interest resulted in a rich plant palette combining beautiful, edible plants with full-year interest species adding structure and depth. Each garden bed is sculpted to capture and promote infiltration of the areas’ frequent brief rain showers.

Professional services included visioning; lifestyle goal setting, maintenance priorities; grading, paving, wall/fence and planting design; irrigation diagrams; and site observation. Tapis Associates worked closely with the landscape contractor to ensure the proper ‘feel’ and drainage of the extensive re-grading, protect existing trees, and cost effectively install the custom hardscape.

Client: Annie Garretson
Location: Manitou Springs, CO

Foothills Garden in Broadmoor Bluffs

Artful grading, careful setting of the finished floor elevation, and beautiful adapted planting design combine to create a unique and private garden for this new home facing a 'T' intersection. The rear garden is entirely native and enjoyed from the stone patio.

Black Forest Garden

This concept plan marries the client's desire for a formal entry with the open cathedral-like pines on this property.

Front Entry Garden in Rockrimmon

Privacy from the adjacent street and year round flower and textural interest were achieved in this plant bed renovation.

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