Join us in Creating the David Salman Tribute Garden

Together with friends and family, the Santa Fe Botanical Garden is creating the David Salman Tribute Garden. Lauren Springer, will be designing and planting the garden featuring many of David’s noteworthy plant introductions. Join us in this exciting project to honor David Salman and his contribution to horticulture.

Founder of Santa Fe Greenhouses, High Country Gardens, and Waterwise Gardening, David Salman was a pioneer of sustainable gardening, passionate plant explorer, and charismatic storyteller. His commitment to cultivating a palette of beautiful waterwise plants transformed gardening in the American West.

Project

In 2022, David Salman passed away and his legacy lives on through the many gardens he inspired. Earlier that year, David started working to augment the perennials collection at the Botanical Garden and was enthusiastic about what could be done together. “I feel the Gardens are an essential part of the city’s cultural diversity and that updating and diversifying the plantings there will continue to make the Garden an inspiration for locals and visitors. Gardening and planting trees should be at the forefront of local and regional efforts to mitigate Climate Disruption, demonstrate that water conservation is part of the SW style landscaping and to restore the beauty of Santa Fe after years of drought.” Santa Fe Botanical Garden has worked closely with Ava Salman and Lauren Springer, acclaimed garden designer and longtime friend of David’s, to develop a plan for a new dedicated garden.

Progress of the Garden from the very beginning

March 7th, 2024

Preparation of the site began with clearing the existing groundcover, gravel mulch, and select plant removals. We’ll be working with Benz Landscaping Biz (Ben Wheelan), on installing the irrigation for this zone.

Crew at work in xeric garden

Salvaging beavertail pricklypear (Opuntia aurea).

Checking irrigation lines

Discussing Irrigation

Linda Churchill, Horticulture Director, and Ben Wheela, owner of Benz Landscaping.

Site preparation for David Salman Tribute Garden.

Protected trough of salvaged plants.

April 19, 2024 – Designers Lauren Springer and Patrick Kirwin, distinguished stone mason and creator of SFBG’s stone architecture John Morris, and SFBG Horticulture Director Linda Churchill meet on site to discuss the next steps in design and installation of the David Salman Tribute Garden.

June 14th, 2024 – John Morris and his crew and SFBG volunteer Gary Donato carefully place the large boulders as Linda and Horticulture Assistant Noah Gapsis look on. Thank you John and team! (Photo: Lynn Walters)

Revamping the Xeric “Hot Box”

In anticipation of adding a new collection of hardy cacti that will include many of David Salman’s cactus introductions, existing cacti in the Xeric Garden “Hot Box” were transplanted out or moved to pots for later planting. John Morris created a new rock terrace in the largest interior bed of the “Hot Box” to raise the cacti up for a more attractive setting and a better microclimate. Stop by and get a glimpse of the fabulous new rock terrace!

Tribute Garden by Acclaimed Designer, Lauren Springer

Lauren Springer designs public and private plantings, including the WaterSmart Garden and Romantic Gardens at Denver Botanic Gardens, the Visitor’s Center native plantings at Chatfield Farms, and the Undaunted Garden and south hellstrip at the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins. She has written five books, including The Undaunted Garden and Plant-Driven Design. A pioneering designer of waterwise landscapes, she also seeks to create beauty and diversity with wildlife function. This commitment resulted in Audubon Society Habitat Hero designation for four of her design projects.