Casa Kay T, owned by Master Gardener Lorrane McPherson and husband Bruce Fulton, consists of both cultivated landscape/gardens and open desert areas on 3.5 acres in the Tucson Mountain Foothills. The property sits on a small plateau at an elevation of approximately 3075 feet, about 500 feet above Tucson proper, with classic Sonoran desert vegetation of native mesquite and palo verde trees, saguaro, cholla, prickly pear, jojoba, creosote and many other species. Wildlife including deer, javelina, coyote, jackrabbit, and a myriad of snakes, lizards and other desert critters is abundant as about 2 acres of the property remain open, natural Sonoran Desert. The property tends to be somewhat colder in winter than Tucson’s official temperature, due to both elevation and several natural washes flowing around the property.
The original house and initial landscaping – consisting of the entry circle, a few Aleppo pines (only two remain), saguaro, some anchor cacti and agave, and graveled drive – were completed in 1966 - 67. Bruce’s parents, avid birders and naturalists, acquired the property in 1988 and began the initial landscaping transformation by installing native and desert adapted trees and plants for shade, wildlife, birds, butterflies, and pollinators thus establishing the start of local microclimates that over time have provided shade, encouraged moisture retention and created distinct areas that have since been developed into today’s garden areas.
Bruce and Lorrane took over the property in 2014, updating the established landscape and developing new garden areas. The backyard area was contoured to maximize natural rain water flow into two basins adjoining each of the Texas Ebony Trees. Gutters direct water into perennial shrub areas and support rainwater flow to the trees. A five-channel drip system was installed to provide supplemental water to plants around the house. The backyard area is a showcase for a large number of cacti and succulents acquired through the Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society, accented by native or desert adapted shrubs and perennials selected to support birds, mammals, reptiles and pollinators.
The tortoise pen on the South-east wall of the house is home to Chukwa, the resident desert tortoise. The habitat is dominated by two large hybrid mesquites that shade and protect his burrow. A gutter and rain chain direct water from the roof into a catchment basin planted with tortoise-preferred– pollinator friendly plants. This protected microclimate is the warmest yet shadiest part of the property and is a popular spot for birds and the occasional deer that can easily hop the fence.
Wanting a spot to grow veggies, an enclosed garden structure was custom designed and built in 2018 to support raised beds and protect them from the deer, javelina, and birds that would otherwise enjoy the contents. Annuals and perennials planted around the garden attract pollinators for the food crops. In the summer, gourd plants climb up the structure’s west side providing shade for vegetables that can’t tolerate full sun. The vegetable garden supplies produce year-round. The garden and orchard area to the east is down slope towards the northern part of the property. Taking advantage of the cooler microclimate, a collection of fig, pomegranate, quince, and Anna and Golden Dorsett apple trees are just growing old enough to expect a harvest. Because of the cooler microclimate, citrus are planted in containers that can be moved from direct sun into a frost protected tent in winter. Water to the garden and orchard areas is supplied in part from a 1,000 gallon rain harvesting tank on the north side of the garage, which fills with only one inch of rain. Overflow is directed to the east orchard area through a drain pipe ending in a pop-up overflow valve and directed around the trees. Drip irrigation on timers supplies water to the trees as needed.
The front of the house consists of four microclimates. The hot, dry, southwest corner receives hours of direct west sun and with a little supplemental water is a great spot for brittle bush, red bird of paradise, varieties of milkweed, and torch cactus. Towards the north, nestled under two mesquites and mostly shaded, is a rain garden, surrounded by varieties of aloe. In the center of the circle drive are some of the palo verde and saguaros initially planted by Bruce’s parents. This area is most recently updated with contouring for water containment and new plantings. The very front of the property shows off two beautiful ironwood trees and a field of agave Lechuguilla that send up stakes of pink and white flowers visited by bees and other pollinators.
The property is recognized both by Tucson Audubon’s Wildlife at Home Cardinal Level program, and National Wildlife Federation’s Certified Wildlife Habitat program.