Green Hall Garden redux
While checking on things over at the old house today, I admired the blowsy fall garden and decided to celebrate Garden Bloggers Bloom Day there instead of in my new garden, which has much less in bloom. So, if you will, join me for a stroll down memory lane.
Pictured above is Gulf muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris ) and our native shrubby white boneset, or white mistflower (Eupatorium havanense ).
‘Lavender Lady’ passionflower vine (Passiflora incarnata ) is bejeweled with fantastical flowers.
Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha ) is in full bloom, accompanied by yellow-and-green striped Agave americana ‘Variegata’ and native hymenoxys (Tetraneuris scaposa ).
Flowers aren’t the sole providers of color in a garden. Another look at the variegated agave with the Salvia leucantha. That’s an African aloe bloom stalk in the foreground—the first time it’s flowered for me.
The roses are past peak but still festooned with dozens of colorful blossoms. This is ‘Carefree Beauty.’
And sweet-smelling ‘Belinda’s Dream.’
Here’s ‘Valentine.’
And dainty ‘Marie Pavie,’ backlit by the morning sun. I neglected to get a photo of ‘The Fairy,’ but it was covered in little, pink roses.
Softleaf yucca (Yucca recurvifolia ), a lovely blue-green native, with bat-face cuphea (Cuphea llavea ), which is generally grown as an annual here but will return in a protected location.
Sunny-faced hymenoxys (Tetraneuris scaposa ), a great native plant for rock gardens and other hot, dry, difficult locations.
The volunteer lantana. Is this ‘Pink Caprice’?
Shrubby white boneset (Eupatorium havanense ), one of my favorite fall-blooming native plants, and the beautiful pink cuphea given to me by Annie in Austin. I don’t know which variety it is.
Butterfly vine, or gallinita (Mascagnia macroptera )
This is my best year yet for Mexican mint marigold (Tagetes lucida ), whose golden yellow looks fantastic next to purple fountain grass.
I planted purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ) to take the place of the ‘Whale’s Tongue’ agave I dug up and took with me, and it’s blooming too.
What a beautiful, wine-colored inflorescence it has, especially when the sun shines through it.
‘Grapes’ gomphrena
I found one rogue purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ).
Ground-hugging damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana ) has its best show in the spring, but this tough, scrubby native will also rebloom in the fall.
Behind the softleaf yucca’s fan-like architecture, the soft plumes of ‘Adagio’ miscanthus grass nod in the breeze.
Happy Bloom Day, everyone. To see what’s blooming around the world on this day, visit May Dreams Gardens.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Wonderful photos. I especially like the one you took of “Belinda’s Dream”.
Thanks, Amy. Belinda is a wonderful, easy-care rose, and I’m going to miss her at the new house. —Pam
Ooh… the flashback to the old garden was wonderful, Pam. I can’t imagine what kind of fall beauty there will to behold in the new one next year. Once you get settled in, I’m sure it will be just as fabulous. 🙂
Thanks for the sweet encouragement, Kim. It will take a few years to get the new garden up to par with the old one. After all, my old one is 8 years old. But I’ve made the first start, and the starting truly is part of the fun. —Pam
The contrast of the agave and the salvia is so delicious. I love the rock/gravel on the beds with the native Tetraneuris. What a stellar garden for the climate. Your garden is so inspiring, as is all that you do.
Sincerely,
Philip
Why, thanks, Philip. That’s very kind of you. —Pam
All lovely photos. The ‘Marie Pavie,’ rose photo is especially beautiful backlit with the morning sun.
Aiyana
Hi, Aiyana. I’m glad you enjoyed them. —Pam
Hiya Pam,
This is a “3-pipe post”, to paraphrase Sherlock Holmes 😉
What a lot of unusual and beautiful plants. You are a real gardener. November seems a better month for you area than July for us here in the UK.
What I like most is the overview shots of your garden: that makes a visit seem almost real.
That wall is outstanding, and I admire the home-built rose trellis.
Thanks, Joco. Oh yes, November is definitely a better month than July in Texas—at least for the gardener if not for the garden. Our springs and falls are where the real action and beauty occur.
As you noticed afterward (from your next comment), the wall and rose trellis are my happy inheritance in my new garden. I hope you will come back soon to visit me there as well. —Pam
Hiya, me again, sorry: I only now realize that you are in flux and ‘between gardens’. What a difficult stage to be in: leaving a garden is worse than leaving a house, I find.
What with your skills, it won’t be long before your new garden will mean as much to you as the old one.
I am much more sentimental about the garden than the house. And since the sale has not been quick, it has been a long, lingering goodbye—the worst kind. Thanks for the kind encouragement regarding my new garden. 🙂 —Pam
Truly beautiful, Pam. How great to see some of the old favorites (such as your nearly-everblooming echinacea), as well as some new ones too (love that yellow butterfly vine). That ‘Grapes’ gomphrena is too cute! Care to share where you acquired it?
Hi, Nan, and thanks! I found that gomphrena at our local Barton Springs Nursery here in Austin. I rarely get anything via mail order, so I’m sorry I don’t have a source for you. If I still have possession of the old garden when it sets seed, I’ll collect some for you. —Pam
I sure hope the new owners will appreciate what they are getting along with the house. There are several plants I am not familiar with and that combined with the yuccas and agaves, make it seem that much more exotic.
I just hope we have some new owners soon, Les. 😉 But I would of course love for someone who appreciates the garden to buy it. —Pam
Great garden, beautiful photos Pam! I hope the new owners will appreciate and take good care of it. There are several familiar plants and several others I didn’t know but wouldn’t mind having in my garden (Tetraneuris scaposa , Tagetes lucida and Muhlenbergia capillaris come to mind 😉 )
Those three are all native to Texas, Gintoino, but the latter two are widely found in the U.S., or at least the southern U.S. I hope you’ll find a local source for them. —Pam
Wow, you have a lot of flowers in the old garden Pam. I love the backlit rose photo. The agaves are gorgeous despite no blooms. Happy GBBD.
Same to you, Lisa! I knew you would appreciate the agaves. You really should be a Texan. 😉 —Pam
What a pretty sunny morning in Austin, and beautiful flowers, too. It is nice that you are getting to see that Aloe bloom!
Thanks for joining in for bloom day.
I wouldn’t want to miss it, Carol. Thanks for hosting. —Pam
What a lovely stroll through your garden, Pam. And while I know it brings some stress, it’s nice that you have two beautiful gardens to your credit. And it got down to 34 here just before the sun came up. I watered everyone, sure hope they’re all ok. What a bizarre year it’s been.
Ooh, 34 is pretty close, isn’t it? I don’t even have a thermometer in my new garden yet to know how close we got here on the other end of town. I’ll have to let the plants tell the tale. —Pam
I will get to Austin someday and it would seem that spring or fall is the best time. The roses are almost fragrant from here! I love the backlit picture.
I would love for you to visit, Layanee! And yes, I recommend March through May and October through—well, all winter is pretty nice actually. But for best gardens, April/May and October/November are ideal. —Pam
This is my favorite time of year to live in Austin, and your garden is an example of why! Your “old” garden is alive with color and texture. I loved the back-lit rose, and your grasses–the purple is especially beautiful.
Mine too, Jenny! We gardeners, as well as our gardens, feel alive again with the onset of cooler weather, don’t we? Thanks for your kind comment. —Pam
Lovely Pam….I have the sweetest visual memories of Green Hall. Thank you for sharing it with us again. Gail
You’re most welcome, Gail. —Pam
Ooh, beautiful!
Now we’re really getting to see the difference between the zones, huh? Things are winding down in zone 5 – I found a few stragglers for GBBD but the garden is basically finished until spring. I will be paying rabid attention to the first plants that bloom come February (I hope it’s that early!) In the meantime, it’s straight houseplants/orchids to get us through the darkest days. That, and your blog!
Hi, Arythrina. February is not that far off, and I hope we southern bloggers can help you get through the dark, cold months until then. Thanks for visiting—stay warm! —Pam
Pam…are you missing your beautiful gardens? The blooms, colors and textures are so divine. Fantastic photos, as always. In just a short time, your new garden will be fabulous!
Cameron
Yes, I miss the old garden whenever I go over there—which is every couple of days to check on things. I would love to turn it over to a new gardener/owner, but I do still enjoy my visits there. Meanwhile, my thoughts have turned to the new place, and I look forward to implementing some of my ideas in the coming year. Thanks for the encouragement. —Pam
I think there needs to be an addition to Murphy’s Law for Gardening: the plant that won’t bloom until you’ve moved out. At least you’ll get to see the Aloe bloom once. It wouldn’t surprise me if whoever buys your house is a gardener & is sold on it because of the garden. It looks so beautiful from every angle.
Ha! Added to that law can be the one that says a plant won’t bloom until after the garden tour. 😉 I do hope a gardener will buy it, but who knows. —Pam
It nearly made me cry. I have such affection for that garden because of the first Spring Fling and becoming friends with you.
I wonder, does it make you sad? At all?~~Dee
Yes, occasionally, Dee, though it’s more of a bittersweet regret at leaving it just when it was starting to get some local attention (ah, vanity). I feel a little sad when I think about the fact that it hasn’t sold, and it doesn’t have someone new to love it. So yes, I guess I feel a protective sadness about it from time to time. But yesterday when I was there, I didn’t feel any of that. I just enjoyed the beauty that I’d created and thought about how I could bring some of it to my new garden. Hope for the future—that’s what gardening is all about, not regret. —Pam
Continue to enjoy your plant combinations.
Thanks! —Pam
I love your old garden(-: I love how you did everything and how it all goes together so well. I know your new garden will be just as wonderful if not more so in the future too. It all just takes time(-: Have you had any offers on your house yet? At least you get to go back and visit whenever you want(-:
It does indeed just take time (and muscle and money—ha!). A garden is a process, after all, not a result. Nope, no offers yet. The economy is taking its toll, even in once-booming Austin. But it will sell sooner or later—hopefully sooner. 😉 —Pam
Pam, the old garden looks as lovely as if you were still a daily presence there. It’s a real testament to your skill as a gardener. I know it won’t be long before the new garden is equally lovely!
Thanks , Cindy. The new garden will be different, but I look forward to bringing a little of the old garden to it. —Pam
Wow, Pam! You are a magnificent gardener! I certainly hope the people who moved in will appreciate the beauty and all of your hard work. Best wishes with creating your new garden! Jan
Many thanks, Jan. I appreciate that. —Pam
What a wonderful variety! I especially love the blues and yellows, and the Tagetes is a favorite. Your garden looks glorious.
Thanks, Anne. It was good to spend a little time in it again. —Pam
Hi Pam, it pulls at my heartstrings too that your old garden hasn’t a new owner to love it. But it is so transparent that you love it still. And who wouldn’t? We all love it having viewed your photos and some of us even in person too. It is still looking grand even without much tending, is that right? You are not doing much tending there are you?
Frances
Not much. At this time of year, watering needs are light (I’m watering every two weeks), weed growth is slow (but never nonexistent), and I don’t usually cut back most of the perennials until mid-February. However, since the house is for sale and not everyone appreciates a dying autumn garden like Piet Oudolf, I’ll go over and do a big cut-back after our first hard freeze, but that may not be for a couple more weeks. —Pam
I’m glad to see your lovely old house garden again. I do hope your home sells soon and that someone with a passion and appreciation for gardening will step in to take care of your beautiful plants. Wouldn’t it be fun if it was someone interested in garden blogging?
Hmm, I don’t know, Robin. I’m not sure I’d want to see it on a daily basis once someone else takes ownership. Better to let it go, I think. —Pam
Your post made me sentimental about my gardens past; and fall is such a wistful time, no? New gardens are almost as trying to one’s patience as children. I have GOT to find a place for that yellow butterfly vine, I’ve seen it everywhere and MUST have it.
Today the oak suckers in the new garden tried my patience. So yes, there’s some similarity to a needy but beloved child, I suppose. —Pam
It must have been difficult to leave all that. I remember enjoying this blooms at around this time last year. Will you have a similar garden shed at the new garden?
Probably not, Elizabeth. I do hope one day to have another garden shed (all my stuff is in the garage right now), but it will probably be smaller and a different style, in keeping with the wooded lot I’m gardening on now. —Pam
Pam, you have so many of my favorite plants, and they’re all still blooming! Some of my favorites – hymenoxys (what a trooper plant but I haven’t tried it here in north Louisiana yet; it may get too wet here), Mexican mint marigold, boneset (I especially love how you paired it with that pink cuphea), Marie Pavie rose, and of course, all the wonderful agaves and yuccas. Sigh, I miss many of them, as I’m sure you do too.
I do miss this garden, but luckily I was able to bring with me to my new place many of my favorite plants, including a number of agaves and yuccas. My move was only up the road a couple of miles. Yours required a shift in plant palette, didn’t it? At least you can have the gorgeous Old South plants in Louisiana—a happy consolation. —Pam
Many of us have seen and loved Green Hall in real life, and maybe we’re all torn between liking to see it in glorious fall bloom and hoping you’ll post on its sale to a new owner.
Even after you’ve moved your old garden inspires, Pam! Your mistflower looks so good with the unnamed little pink & violet cuphea that I’m going to mimic the combination by moving a small Ageratina havanense next to my cuphea.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Oh good, I’m glad that combo will live on in your garden, Annie. It was a happy accident in mine, as I moved that pink cuphea around several times, trying to find an ideal situation for it. This seems to be it, as it’s never filled out so large or bloomed so well as this year. —Pam
Gorgeous. The garden is a credit to your good planting choices.
Thanks, Jenny! —Pam
Pam,
By this time next year your new garden will be over flowing with new blooms to enjoy.- Randy
I’m working on it, Randy! But I’m also finding some lovely evergreens for my shady areas. —Pam
Yay for native plantings! The boneset is lovely. I finally posted the undersea succulent garden I had promised you…
I’ll be right over, Eleanor. —Pam
Once again, I can’t get past your incredible agaves. They’re just so striking – you didn’t try to move that big one and move it with you? (I saw how you moved the other one…so I guess it’s not so easy…). Anyway – it all looks beautiful (and I’ve never grown the mexican mint marigold and I’m not sure why – it looks so nice this time of year!).
Hi, Pam. The variegated agave shown in this post is a fast grower and very common, so I elected to take a small pup and leave this one here. The ‘Whale’s Tongue,’ which I did take with me, is a slow grower by comparison and hard to come by. I’ve killed Mexican mint marigold by putting it in a very hot location, but this one gets just the right mix of morning and early afternoon sun and late afternoon shade, and it seems happy. —Pam
ahhhh, I can almost smell those roses, just lovely!!!
I wish I could share the fragrance, IF, as well as the images. —Pam
Hi Pam.
Loved the picture of the backlit Marie Pavie, you can almost smell it from this image. I might have to get me one of these! I am not a big rose person, but this one has tempted me to dabble. Also the Yucca with the sunlit grassy backdrop is right up my aesthetic alley. Great planting combination.
I have just bought some Sunny-faced hymenoxys, really interesting little plant. Ranks right up there with coneflowers as a storybook plant. Think I will get a few more of these next spring!
Good luck with your house.
Loved your photos.
ESP.
Hymenoxys will bloom all year round, and it’s a dependable, tough, little plant in my old garden. As for roses, everyone should have at least one. They look great with those desert plants you like so much. —Pam
I was a little shocked when I read of your move across town a couple of weeks ago. Of course the first thought is Why, and the answer is, “None of my business.”
When I left Maui, I just assumed my garden would slowly decline into oblivion, knowing my landlords well after having lived there for sixteen years. Then I heard that the middle daughter got married and the reception was held in my former garden and cottage about one year after I left. Wow, even the oblivious could appreciate what it was. At least my former garden received a reprieve before its decline into oblivion. And just maybe someone might actually lovingly tend it.
It is bittersweet to visit your old garden Pam. I just know that I have been so busy and you will too, that it doesn’t come to mind often enough to be bothersome.
Hi, Christopher. The nice thing about leaving your old garden so decisively (will you ever be in Hawaii again?) is that you can allow yourself to believe that someone is caring for your garden. It does sound so, since a wedding was held there. In my case, we moved just a few miles away, so I’ll certainly see my old garden from time to time, for good or for bad.
I don’t mind saying that the reason we moved was to get more space and a pool as our kids enter their pre-teen and teenage years. The new house is a nice, family-friendly place. And I always enjoy starting a new garden, so that eased the loss of the old one. —Pam
Oh! The loveliness of an established garden. Your hymenoxys and batface especially are nice, mixed in with the big agaves. I miss growing them. As fall looks more like winter here (with 3+ inches of snow), it’s good to get virtual whiffs of sunshine and color in your pics. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Lynn. More sunshine and color are up in today’s post. Enjoy, and thanks for visiting! —Pam
I love your use of texture in your garden. And I’m jealous that you can grow all those agaves!
Thanks, Andrea. Didn’t Dan Hinkley find ways to grow agaves in the Seattle area, by planting them high on gravelly berms? I hope you can find some that will work for you. —Pam
I enjoyed looking at your blog and flowers, and even though I also grow some of what you do, mine are finished for the season, here in zone 5b Nebraska. Your photography is awesome! I can never get sulfur butterflies to focus well.
Many thanks, Sue! I had a little trouble getting this sulphur to sit still. It was very skittish. So finally I stood back and used the zoom to catch it. —Pam
Beautiful, just beautiful! I especially like the yucca and cuphea combo.
Thanks, Kylee. That’s one of my faves too. —Pam