Spring visit to Hill Country Water Gardens & Nursery

March 11, 2016

A few days ago I visited my favorite North Austin nursery, Hill Country Water Gardens & Nursery, which is actually located in Cedar Park, just northwest of Austin. As the name implies, HCWG carries pond plants, fish, fountains, pond equipment, and other water-garden supplies. But over the past few years they’ve also really grown their regular nursery offerings, including a nice selection of native and adapted perennials, woody lilies (agaves, sotols, yuccas, etc.), and trees.

Weeping redbuds (Cercis canadensis var. texensis ‘Traveller’) in full bloom were flying out the door while I was there, and no wonder. Isn’t it a gorgeous small tree? I bought one from Vivero Growers last spring, and while mine is still small it’s blooming beautifully right now. A HCWG employee told me she planted one 10 years ago in a hot, dry spot in her garden, and now it’s 12 feet tall by 10 feet wide and needs hardly any supplemental water. That’s a lot taller than my preliminary online research indicated, but when I ran home with her words ringing in my head and took a look, I decided there’s room if mine gets that large. Bring it, ‘Traveller’.


Here’s another beauty


Texas mountain laurels (Sophora secundiflora) are blooming like crazy too, especially the big ones planted in their display gardens.


Thanks to Nathan, HCWG’s staff horticulturist, you’ll always find cool succulents and cacti here. If you’re a risk-taker and have a taste for the unusual, you can even try Marfa-style ocotillo, which I see at right in this image.


I noticed quite a few Civano Nursery plants for sale, which was a fun surprise. I visited Civano Nursery in Tucson a couple of years ago. HCWG must be seeking out desert species to give Central Texas gardeners more options for their dry gardens. Watch the hardiness zone though; some of these need winter protection in our climate.


The pots and plants at HCWG are always temptingly arranged, and the display gardens will make you want to add pergolas and fire-pit seating in your own garden.


I like these wine-colored pots, especially paired with sunny native four-nerve daisy (Tetraneuris scaposa).


But I bought a blue pot for myself.


I was sorely tempted by these blue square trellises, a welcome contemporary alternative to the traditional fan-style or scrolled trellises available at the box stores.


More blues and a fun-in-the-sun, mosaic-tile bench


I’ve had vines on the brain lately, so I stopped to admire this morning glory…


…and native coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)…


…and Lady Banks rose. It’s not really a vine, but it grows like one, only bigger. You’ve been warned.


Australian native kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos) — oh, how I want them to grow here. Has anyone reading this had any luck keeping them alive during our steamy summers?


I love those fuzzy flowers.


Over the years I’ve done a lot of birthday and Mother’s Day shopping at HCWG. They always have fun garden decor, like these metal flowers…


…and stone owls…


…and even bonsai.


If you want to add a fountain or pond to your garden, there’s no place better. I bought my disappearing fountain here, as well as the supplies, fish, and plants for my stock-tank pond.


This large raised pond will be afloat with gigantic Victoria amazonica water lily leaves in a couple of months.


Tower-style fountains create a focal point for now.


A tiered fountain is a classic choice for a Spanish courtyard or Mediterranean-style garden.


Or forget the pump and just add succulents for a dripping illusion!


Succulents are so handsome, no matter where you plant them.


Don’t forget evergreen shrubs for forming the backbone of your garden.


You don’t see a lot of pines in Central Texas because our soil is alkaline, not acidic, so I was drawn to these ‘Majestic Beauty’ black pines. They look gorgeous with the black pots and would be lovely in a Japanese-style garden.


The nursery operates out of two houses on the property, one of which also functions as a gift shop. You’ll find helpful employees and a great selection of plants, not to mention events and classes throughout the year (but no online links to those, for some reason). Go in May and June to admire their water lilies.

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10 responses to “Spring visit to Hill Country Water Gardens & Nursery”

  1. Bob Beyer says:

    Sorry Pam, I don’t share your enthusiasm for HCWG. I think their plant selections are limited and what they do have is very high priced. Just visited them last week and was disappointed. My favorite nursery north of the river is Green and Growing in Pfleugerville, good variety, reasonable prices, and helpful staff. All the good nurseries unfortunately are south of the river – not fair to us in north Austin.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Well, differences of opinion are what keep this old world spinning, I guess, Bob. I am a big fan of HCWG and have been for years. Their staff is knowledgeable, they have an especially nice selection of agaves and other xeric plants, and they merchandise better than most nurseries. Plus they’re the best water garden nursery around.

      I am grateful to have so many independent nurseries in Austin, although, like you, I wish more of them were located north of the river. —Pam

  2. Renee says:

    That looks like a fun nursery to visit. And it much be great when the water lilies are in that pool! That’s for sharing these pictures!

    • Pam/Digging says:

      It’s cooler and more pleasant now, but when the heat arrives so do the lilies. I’m glad you enjoyed the virtual visit, Renee. —Pam

  3. rickii says:

    What a yummy, color-saturated post.

  4. The restraint in the purchase you made is amazing. I would have blown my entire garden budget in the first 20′ of this place. Fun…

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Oh, I came home with a trunkload of plants, I assure you. Plus my blue pot, of course. I arrived with a list and only veered from it a little. 🙂 —Pam

      • What a beautiful and fun place to visit. I never found it when I was living in the area. I got tickled at you calling Lady Banksia a vine. I had one at a house I lived in in Shreveport, LA that was almost the same size at the garage it grew beside. But I think training it a a vine makes it a little more controllable.

        • Pam/Digging says:

          You’re quite right, Marilyn. It’s not really a vine. But it grows a lot like one, but on steroids. They sure can become monsters without regular pruning. But oh, those lovely flowers. —Pam