HOA Entryway Transformation At Jubilee

A Desert-Ready Landscape Upgrade for a Gated Community in Los Lunas, NM

For a neighborhood like Jubilee—a gated 55+ active community in Los Lunas, New Mexico—the entryway does a lot of heavy lifting. It’s the first impression for visitors and prospective buyers, and it sets the tone for the residents who drive through it every day.

Jubilee’s front entrance had reached a breaking point:

• Dead & struggling plants

• Outdated rock & groundcover

• A failing irrigation system

• Negative curb appeal

The HOA wanted more than a touch-up. They wanted a complete, desert-smart transformation that would align with their standards, make better use of water, and visually represent the quality of the community.

Here's how we approached the project from the ground up...

Step 1: From Tired Landscape to Clean Slate

The existing landscape at Jubilee wasn’t just underperforming—it was working against the HOA’s goals. The irrigation was unreliable, the plants were declining, and the layout wasn’t taking advantage of the site.

Rather than piecing together temporary fixes, we recommended a full reset, and the HOA board agreed. We removed all existing plants, rock, and compromised irrigation, and took the entire area “down to dirt." Then we corrected elevations and grading, especially important on this sloped entryway

Starting with a clean slate allowed us to design a landscape that would be cohesive, efficient, and long-lasting, instead of constantly chasing old problems.

Step 2: New Irrigation Built for the Desert

In New Mexico, healthy landscapes live or die by the quality of their irrigation. Jubilee’s existing system had too many issues to justify repair—especially across a large, sloped, highly visible area.

We trenched in and installed a brand-new irrigation system, including new valves, zone lines, and appropriate emitters at every plant location. These can be programmed for optimum use and need.

Tying irrigation design directly to the planting plan helps ensure:

• Even, reliable, correct water distribution

• Reduced waste and overspray

• A system that can be understood, maintained, and adjusted over time

For an HOA, that means healthier plants long-term, lower maintenance headaches, and better control of water use.

Step 3: Designing Within HOA Standards

Every HOA comes with its own rules and expectations, and Jubilee is no exception. As a 400-home gated 55+ community, it has

No sweat—we're highly experienced working within established architectural and landscape guidelines. Our designers know how to match community style & character. Arborscapes crews always follow any parking & work rules we're aware of.

Just give us a list:

• Acceptable plants & trees

• Pre-approved colors & materials for rock & hardscape

• Gravel, mulch, and groundcover stipulations

• Water use requirements

We'll deliver a detailed design that feels fresh and elevated, while remaining fully HOA-compliant and familiar to residents.

Step 4: Native and Desert-Adapted Planting

The HOA requested native and drought-resistant plants, and the site itself demanded it. The entry is exposed to full, direct desert sun and long hours of heat—conditions where the wrong plant palette will quickly fail.

We selected each plant based on:

1. Survivability in harsh desert conditions

2. Visual appeal from the road and sidewalk

3. Compatibility with the HOA’s approved list and aesthetic

We chose desert-adapted, water-wise, beautiful species including:

• Yuccas – Strong form and iconic Southwest presence.

• Mexican bird of paradise – Vibrant seasonal color and striking texture.

• Texas sage – Long-blooming color, loved by pollinators.

• Arborvitae & cypress – Vertical interest & year-round greenery, with allergy and maintenance considerations in mind.

• Desert willow – Beautiful blooms and seasonal shade

• Rosemary – Fragrance, resilience, and fine visual texture.

The result is an entryway that feels lush by desert standards, yet is built on a foundation of water-conscious, low-maintenance design.

Step 5: Retaining Walls That Shape the Space

Jubilee’s entry sits on a slope, which can pose erosion and design challenges. Instead of treating the slope as a problem, we used it as an opportunity to add structure and depth.

We installed staggered, half-moon style decorative retaining walls, using textured blocks.

Retaining walls like this:

• Help stabilize the slope and manage drainage & erosion

• Create tiered planting zones for added dimension

• Add a strong architectural element to the entry

• Contrast with the soft greenery

Then, with their finished 3" cap, the simple walls look as intentional and polished as the community itself.

Timeline and Process

Once plans and approvals are in place (a step we don't control), an installation project like this—from demo to finished landscaping, with easy access—takes us 2-4 weeks.

That timeline depends on:

• Total area & complexity

• Number of walls & grading adjustments

• The scope of planting & irrigation

What never changes is our commitment to communication and detail—especially when working with HOA boards and property managers.

Working with the HOA and/or Property Manager

As with any HOA project, we're ready to coordinate with whoever makes decisions. For Jubilee, we worked with their property-management company as well as the HOA board president, to make sure everything went smoothly and according to plan.

We provide detailed, itemized estimates that spell out:

• Plant species, sizes, and quantities

• Irrigation components & layout approach

• Hardscape materials & colors

This level of detail helps boards cross-check proposals against their standards and keeps the approval process as efficient as possible, so we can get to work and finish quickly!

Results: Happier Residents, Higher Curb Appeal, Healthier Grounds

Today, Jubilee’s entryway reflects the community behind it, and raises the value of the HOA it represents. The result uplifts numerous people in the community and beyond, and improves the whole area around it.

Their investment offers continuing (if sometimes intangible) returns:

• Beautiful daily welcome for residents and their guests

• Clean & remarkable first impression for prospective buyers

• Sedate & noteworthy landmark for neighbors around the community.

• Plants, materials, and colors that feel right at home and give life to the desert surroundings.

Jubilee is a showcase of what’s possible when an HOA is ready to move beyond patchwork fixes and invest in a thoughtful, desert-wise redesign.

Now the only thing left is long-term maintenance—which we can most easily do for you, because we know every inch of the irrigation layout, and which plants need what when.

I drove by today and was genuinely impressed. Everything still looks sharp, well-maintained and thoughtfully designed. It really caught my attention to see how great it still looks years later their quality and craftsmanship clearly speaks for themselves

"I drove by [Jubilee] and was genuinely impressed. Everything looks sharp, well-maintained, and thoughtfully designed...really caught my attention!"

–BillieJean Trujillo, local resident