cool gardens in a hot climate™
May 10, 2012 Last Saturday I went on the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days tour in Dallas. My first stop was the exuberant foliage garden of Matthew Nichols. Here’s the official description: Matthew Nichols’ tropical, urban garden belies its location in … Read More
May 09, 2012 I’m thrilled to tell you that I have an article in Garden Design‘s latest issue (June 2012). “The Plant Man” is a piece about Texas plantsman John Fairey and the design of his renowned garden, Peckerwood, which … Read More
May 09, 2012 One of the owlets has been boldly perching at the entry hole of its box to watch us. It won’t be long until he flies the nest, I think. All material © 2006-2012 by Pam Penick for … Read More
May 08, 2012 While viewing the Chihuly exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum on Sunday, I admired plenty of garden beds that did not contain stunning glass sculptures, like this gomphrena and drumstick allium combination. The airy, blue-green allium stems complement … Read More
May 07, 2012 The Dallas Arboretum is abloom through November 5 with renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly’s colorful, nature-inspired glass sculptures. My family and I visited yesterday, on opening weekend, and were wowed both by the beauty of the pieces … Read More
May 06, 2012 The Salvia greggii and Jerusalem sage that I planted in my neighbor’s streetside garden, to tie in with my own, are blooming and attracting bees and butterflies. So is the Verbena bonariensis. There’s always a butterfly on … Read More
May 05, 2012 Agave ‘Royal Spine,’ misshapen ball cactus, Agave desmettiana ‘Variegata,’ and Dyckia fosteriana (I think). Tough plants for tough summer days ahead. All material © 2006-2012 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
May 04, 2012 The heartleaf skullcap (Scutellaria ovata) is blooming! Heartleaf skullcap looks like this en masse—and once you plant it, you’ll soon have it en masse. It pops up in winter, grows steadily through the spring, blooming in late … Read More
May 03, 2012 Around 3 pm this afternoon, we noticed one of the screech owlets staring out at us from inside the box. He or she is not yet brave enough to perch on the door rim and look out, … Read More
May 03, 2012 If you’ve always thought bigger is better where a garden is concerned, think again. This week I spent a little time in East Austin’s Mueller neighborhood, a planned community (on the site of Austin’s old airport) built … Read More
May 02, 2012 Strolling through Austin’s Mueller neighborhood yesterday with a client, looking at examples of front-yard gardens he liked, I spotted some gorgeous vines in full bloom. Because the neighborhood is built to be pedestrian friendly and encourage neighbors … Read More
May 01, 2012 Happy May Day to you! In celebration, a few pictures of earthly delights from the garden, starting with the first lovely datura flower of the season. Mmm, heady scent! Jerusalem sage (Phlomis fruticosa) in full buttery bloom. … Read More