cool gardens in a hot climate™
Crayola-bright fields of flowers, a big blue barn, tables adorned with festive bouquets, chef-made dishes, a western swing band, and the starry skies of the Texas Hill Country — an event not to be missed.… Read More
May 27, 2016 As the days fly toward summer, the daylilies are showing off their lovely throats… …and blushing, ruffled petals. Here’s ‘Best of Friends’. The first ‘Apple Tart’ smolders among the white-striped flax lilies. Stretching on long stems like … Read More
May 25, 2016 I dined at a flower farm in Blanco, Texas, last weekend, which I plan to write about soon. But for now, a teaser of Blanco charm. This little red cabin is one of several at Blanco Settlement, … Read More
May 24, 2016 It’s an exciting day when you see that Ken Druse, a superstar in the garden-writing world, has reviewed your book. I picked up the the current issue of Country Gardens magazine (Summer 2016) at Barnes & Noble … Read More
May 24, 2016 It’s an exciting day when you see that Ken Druse, a superstar in the garden-writing world, has reviewed your book. I picked up the the current issue of Country Gardens magazine (Summer 2016) at Barnes & Noble … Read More
May 23, 2016 Central and south Texas gardening friends, are you going to the Festival of Flowers in San Antonio this Saturday? I am! In fact, I’ll be giving a presentation at 10:30 am 10:45 am about how to make … Read More
May 22, 2016 The biggest snake I’d ever seen in my garden was lounging in a bamboo hammock this morning. Earlier, while looking out my office window, I’d noticed a bamboo cane leaning horizontally and thought, “Hmm, did it rain … Read More
May 19, 2016 On this rainy, thunder-rolling day, I’m staying inside. But I have a few photos from earlier this week to share. While today all these plants are droopy with rain, they’ll soon perk back up again. This is … Read More
May 17, 2016 Last week, while cruising around north-central Austin’s Shoalwood and south Allandale neighborhoods, I noticed a trend: contemporary curb appeal with gravel and concrete-paver paths, low walls and fences to separate public and private areas, and turf reduction … Read More
May 16, 2016 The day after Bloom Day is Foliage Follow-Up, a day to give foliage plants their due. This month I’m leading with the fresh spring greens of ornamental grasses, like shade-loving inland sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium). Their “oats” … Read More
May 14, 2016 Hot and muggy sauna days have arrived, and with them, the daylilies. Is it a worthy trade-off? I am not sure, but since we can’t turn back the clock to balmy spring, I resolve to enjoy their … Read More
May 12, 2016 Have you ever dawdled over the pages of a book because you didn’t want it to end? Vivian Swift’s Gardens of Awe and Folly: A Traveler’s Journal on the Meaning of Life and Gardening (Bloomsbury, 2016) is … Read More
May 11, 2016 Manchaca Road in South Austin may as well be on the other side of the planet for this northwest Austinite, or so it seems most days while parked on our city’s interminably clogged highways and streets. But … Read More
May 08, 2016 Pink petal hearts Lots of fishes kisses Kiss Kiss You’re my cup of tea To all the moms, and to my mom especially, happy Mother’s Day! I welcome your comments. If you’re reading this in an email, … Read More