Ruth Hanna McCormick Simms, Rose Greely and Penny Rembe are among the inspiring women whose creativity and vision have shaped the beauty of Los Poblanos for nearly a century. From architecture and garden design to present-day farming, their innovation and stewardship continue to guide how the land awakens each spring.
the Rose Greely garden
In 1932, Ruth Hanna McCormick Simms hired Rose Greely to design the formal gardens surrounding the hacienda and La Quinta Cultural Center. Greely was the first woman to graduate from Harvard’s landscape architecture program and the first licensed landscape architect in Washington D.C., where she built her career. Los Poblanos is her only known work in the Southwest.
Before moving to New Mexico, Ruth Hanna McCormick Simms was a nationally recognized leader in the women’s suffrage movement. She believed deeply in civic progress and thoughtful reform, and that same sense of purpose shaped the early development of the property. By commissioning Greely, she ensured the gardens would reflect refinement, permanence and beauty, laying the foundation for the cultural landscape we continue to steward today.
Nearly a century later, tucked between today’s Hacienda Spa and Rose Greeley Suites, Greely’s design still defines garden season at Los Poblanos. Vibrant flower beds unfold along structured pathways. Spanish tile fountains anchor gathering spaces. Rose cutting gardens bloom in succession. Winding paths and mosaic stonework by folk artist “Pop” Shaffer add texture throughout.
Penny Rembe and the revival of the gardens
As co-founder and matriarch of Los Poblanos as we know it today, Penny Rembe has shaped the property in lasting ways. Her leadership and determination made it possible for the farm and Inn to flourish into what they are today.
One of Penny’s favorite places is the historic Greely Garden. When she and her husband Armin began restoring the property in the 1970s, they discovered the original garden plans. Over the years, Penny has worked to return the space to its intended design, honoring Greely’s vision while ensuring the garden continues to thrive.
In spring, the garden overflows with peonies, tulips and magnolia blossoms. As the season shifts toward summer, the roses arrive. Staying true to the original plan, Penny has preserved and expanded the collection of heirloom roses, with more than 30 varieties now growing in the Greely beds.
Penny and Armin also planted the lavender fields that now define Los Poblanos. Those rows of lavender shape the landscape each summer, define the scent of the property and form the foundation of our bath and body collection.
Judith Phillips and AN evolving landscape
As Los Poblanos has grown, so too has its approach to landscape design. Judith Phillips designed the landscapes surrounding the Farm Suites, incorporating more drought-tolerant species while maintaining continuity with the historic gardens. Her work introduced an environmentally responsive approach suited to the Rio Grande Valley’s dry summers and shifting climate.
Judith also served as a plant consultant during the development of the Field Suites, selecting species that are lower water use, edible, pollinator friendly and beautiful. Her philosophy reflects a broader commitment to stewardship and ecological balance during garden season and beyond.
She is also the author of The Gardens of Los Poblanos, documenting the history and evolution of this unique cultural landscape and the many individuals who have shaped it over time.
Judy Hartline and the work of the present season
While historic plans guide the structure of the gardens, it is the daily work of farming that defines each growing season. Farm Manager Judy Hartline, born and raised in Albuquerque’s North Valley, brings deep regional knowledge to the fields.
After beginning her farming career in Corrales in 2008, Judy developed a strong foundation in organic and regenerative practices. Today, she oversees the planning, seeding, transplanting, planting and harvesting of the vegetables, herbs and fruits grown on the property.
Her focus is not only to provide fresh, seasonal food for the restaurant but also to support and advocate for the local food economy. Her work, alongside the broader farm and grounds team, ensures that garden season at Los Poblanos is both productive and sustainable.
A shared and living legacy
Garden season at Los Poblanos is not simply about what is blooming now. It is the result of long-sighted leadership, thoughtful design and the many hands that have shaped this land over time.
From Ruth Hanna McCormick Simms’ decision to commission the gardens to Rose Greely’s enduring design, from Penny Rembe’s restoration and lavender plantings to Judith Phillips’ environmentally responsive landscapes and Judy Hartline’s regenerative farming practices, women have played an essential role in defining this place. Alongside them are the countless partners and team members, past and present, who prune, weed, plant, harvest and care for the gardens each day.