Comments on: Garden Designers Roundtable: Regional Diversity in Design

By: Tom Coats

Tom Coats — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:59:50 +0000

Greetings from San Antonio,

As a 2 year Texan from Virginia, I remain in a state of shock when it comes to gardening in San Antonio. I am more confused as NONE of my inquiries to local garden designers have been answered! Are you familiar with any garden designers/installers in San Antonio, that MIGHT actually respond to an email, or request for assistance?

Thank you,

Tom Coats
San Antonio, TX

Hi, Tom. I wish I did know of a good contact for you in San Antonio, but I’m afraid I don’t. I suggest you try your favorite independent nursery for a recommendation, letting them know what you need. If you have a small job or just want a design plan drawn up but want to do the work yourself, let them know in advance so you can find someone who specializes in that. The folks at Antique Rose Emporium in north San Antonio might be a good resource to check with. Ask for Cindy, who blogs for the Emporium at A Daily View, and tell her I sent you. Good luck! —Pam

By: David

David — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 16:11:34 +0000

Very impressive…your own garden and the other examples, too. Nice to see the use of native plants is not minimized, as is the *bad* habit of too many here, and that you include other adapted plants where natives do not fill a particular role. And that you experiment within reason, while creating a sense-of-place using plants and hardscape.

Thanks, David. I like gardening to be easy, so I do like to plant my garden primarily with tough native and adapted plants. The, for the icing on the cake, I love to experiment with less hardy plants that still fit in with the mix. —Pam

By: Annie in Austin

Annie in Austin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:24:06 +0000

What a thoughtful post, Pam – four years of your shared photos and ideas have shown both your Austin readers and your faraway fans how vibrant a regional Austin garden can be. Your old front garden was a very cool place, and it’s been fun watching you add your signature touches, especially the raised beds and stone edging, native trees, tough Texas plants and stock tanks that make the new place look right for you and your family.

I walk a different path, but admire and respect yours.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

And I yours, Annie. While writing this post, with my bias toward more xeric, Hill Country plants, I felt that equal time should be given to the Old South look that many pull off here in Austin. You’d be a good person to write that post. —Pam

By: Gail

Gail — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:29:57 +0000

Pam, This was a great read…all of the blogs included! Thanks for continuing to inspire! gail

Thanks, Gail! —Pam

By: TexasDeb

TexasDeb — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:09:27 +0000

Well if anybody was going to represent our zone to the blogosphere – I am certainly glad it was you, Pam! Great tutorial, already has me thinking about “next steps” in our de-grassed front areas. I am now looking forward to turning away from my windows (is it true a watched plant will never freeze?) and towards my monitor to take a garden tour of the other zones in your links. Great idea and thanks so much for sharing your cumulative wisdom!

Thanks so much for the kind words, TexasDeb. I’m glad you enjoyed my Texas celebration. —Pam

By: Susie

Susie — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:52:38 +0000

Great photos, your garden is exactly what I think of when I think of Texas!

I’m flattered, Susie. And I’m glad you don’t think of tumbleweeds and tall cacti, as so many people do! —Pam

By: Town Mouse

Town Mouse — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:20:34 +0000

What a fun post! Ever think I’ve started reading your blog, stock tanks say central texas to me ;->

I’m addicted to them, TM. But I do think they work in other regions too. ;-) —Pam

By: Kathleen Scott

Kathleen Scott — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:43:54 +0000

What a great article! You captured the layers of our Hill Country feel from the stone to the textures. Beautiful photos, as always.

Wore my down jacket tonight for the first time in years. Will be something to see how the landscape responds to the cold.

Yes, it will. Thanks for dropping by, Kathleen. —Pam

By: Dawn

Dawn — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:17:33 +0000

You’ve shared such beautiful photos and written so well once again, Pam. I always enjoy visiting your blog and this time was a double treat as we got a chance to see your other garden once again. And yes, I share everyone’s concern about the weather today and wonder what will live and what will die. Thinking warm thoughts for all of us in the Hill Country and throughout Austin this week.
Happy New Year! :-)

It’s getting mighty chilly here, Dawn. I’m crossing my fingers for my ‘Macho Mocha’ mangave, squid agaves, aloes, and newly planted Barbardo cherries. But I think most plants will be fine. They’re Texas tough. Thanks for your kind words about the post, and stay warm! —Pam

By: Chookie

Chookie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:12:31 +0000

What a fantastic idea for a blog carnival! All your reasons for gardening with a sense of place are as applicable here, though our local geology and flora are completely different.

I’m glad you agree, Chookie. But you know, certain Australian plants are becoming quite popular in Austin because of their tolerance for drought and heat, which we have plenty of. —Pam