Snake lounging and whale flowering in the garden

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 again?” But no, everything looked dry, so I eventually moseyed out to take a look.


Hello! A 5-foot long rat snake was coiled way out on a culm of the ‘Alphonse Karr’ bamboo (Bambusa multiplex ‘Alphonse Karr’) behind the house.


It’s kind of pretty, don’t you think? I’m not scared of snakes in the garden, although I’m sure I’d feel differently about a venomous one. I’ve never seen a rattlesnake or coral snake in my garden, but I do keep an eye out since we back up to a greenbelt, and this is Texas.


But rat snakes are not venomous, and they eat rats, which means it’s a welcome predator in Austin. They unfortunately also eat birds and bird eggs (they’re good climbers), but that’s all part of the circle of life.


Eventually it coiled its way down the bamboo, and David and I watched it slither through the garden bed, down a wall, along the pool deck, and into the Mexican honeysuckle, where it disappeared. Go eat rats, rat snake!


Moby, my whale’s tongue agave (A. ovatifolia), has been growing a magnificent bloom stalk for a month and a half. Today, the first flowers on the lower branches opened.


Will they attract bats? I hope to find out.

All in all, it’s been an exciting day in the garden. And a shout-out to Peter Schaar, who visited from Dallas and brought me an Agave salmiana pup from his garden. Thanks, Peter!

I welcome your comments; please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading this in a subscription email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post.
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Digging Deeper: News and Upcoming Events

Come see me at Festival of Flowers in San Antonio, May 28, 10:30-11:30 am. Get inspired to save water in your garden during my presentation at San Antonio’s 19th annual Festival of Flowers. I’ll be at the book-signing table after the talk, with copies of both The Water-Saving Garden and Lawn Gone! available for purchase. Tickets to the all-day festival, which includes a plant sale and exchange, speakers, and a flower show, are available at the door: $6 adults; children under 10 free. Free parking.

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22 responses to “Snake lounging and whale flowering in the garden”

  1. Shirley says:

    That’s a big one! It can be a bit startling to find one in a tree at eye level in the garden but they are very helpful.

    It seems Moby is going so fast now with those lily blooms appearing. Your own bat show would be fun.

  2. Wow, that is one long snake. I bet you don’t have to worry about mice or rats. He looks like he has eaten his share. Interesting that he was lounging on a bamboo stalk. ha…
    Go Moby…

  3. Renee says:

    Thats some pretty impressive climbing for a snake! Almost as impressive as Moby’s bloom stalk. Good luck with the bats!

  4. Mark and Gaz says:

    Quite an elegant looking creature to have in the garden!

  5. Caroline says:

    Lots of excitement in your garden, Pam! I would love to see that magnificent snake slithering around my compost bin. And one day, I hope my whale’s tongue agave puts on a display as grand as Moby’s.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      I’m sure it will! I have to admit I’m a little surprised you still have your whale’s tongue, Caroline. Did you (or was it your husband?) have a change of heart about it? —Pam

  6. Kris P says:

    The snake is creepy and enticing at the same time. You got great photos! Knowing little to nothing about snakes, I’d have steered clear but it looks like you craned in for some close-ups.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      I used my telephoto for these, but before that I did whip out my cell phone and leaned in pretty close — AFTER carefully looking to make sure there was no triangular head or rattle tail. But getting close made him nervous, so I went inside and got my long lens and was able to give him some space. —Pam

  7. Dina T says:

    Beautiful snake and excellent photography! I prefer snakes to the tarantulas we get but I leave both alone, as I agree with you, they do their part in nature.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      I much prefer snakes to spiders as well. And I know that’s not even logical as far as tarantulas go, but it is what it is. Like you, I leave them alone outdoors. And the one tarantula that got inside and I found in my shoe closet, despite nearly scaring me to death, was successfully relocated outdoors. 🙂 —Pam

  8. Darla Ferguson says:

    Pam, your photography is outstanding especially when you have creatures of nature such as this in the viewfinder…. Just beautiful and you are a brave girl. I really enjoy reading your blog, you do a great job! 🙂

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Thank you, Darla! The snake held nice and still for me, which made it a lot easier to photograph than birds — ha! Thanks for reading Digging. —Pam

  9. Randy says:

    I came home one evening and found one of these guys over 5 feet long staring at me from a fork in a Cedar Elm tree. Woke me up quick! I think he was waiting on rats that like to use my rain gutters for travel. He posed for some great pictures too.

  10. peter schaar says:

    Pam, I so enjoyed my visit! You’re garden looks better each time I see it. I do hope the A. salmiana proves a worthy replacement for Moby.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Thanks for sharing that fine-looking pup with me, Peter. I’ve already decided to replace Moby with another whale’s tongue agave, but I’ll find a place for the new acquisition. —Pam

  11. peter schaar says:

    Pam, I finally got the Monarda ‘Peter’s Purple’ you gave me planted yesterday, and today it got rained in. I hope this one takes off. Thanks again for this and the enjoyable visit!