PHOTO ESSAY: Georgia O’Keeffe’s Garden in Abiquiu, NM

Georgia O’Keeffe may be one of the most well known American artists of the 20th century. Her striking paintings of the southwest are iconic, and her life and homes are equally well documented through beautiful photographs. Perhaps less known is O’Keeffe’s love for gardening.

Born in Wisconsin, via a successful time as part of the art scene in New York, she later in life settled in the Abiquiu area of New Mexico - a place she adored and had traveled to extensively. With the skillful and knowledgeable assistance of local builders and artists she revitalized an old adobe brick property into her stunning home and studio. Overlooking the spectacular surrounding mountain formations, framed by the big open sky, sits the walled gardens of O’Keeffe’s Abiquiu home.

The avid gardener grew inspired species brought in from travels around Europe and the East Coast, as well as local favorites such as maize, hollyhock and sacred datura. With the use of the ancient communal watering system in the area, the ‘acequia’ irregation ditches throughout the property, the garden got regularly flooded to nurture the flowers, fruiting trees, herbs and vegetables grown to eat and preserve for the winter season.

Photos by: Elevine Berge