Garden structure at Wildflower Center
Garden structure is more visible in winter, when plants are dormant. I always take pictures of intriguing rock work, trellises, and the like, gathering ideas for my own garden or others’. Maybe some of these structures at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center will inspire your garden building as well.
Pictured above is a twig tepee in the children’s garden. I love the way it looks against the galvanized metal siding.
The twigs are gathered and tied with wire at top.
I like the way this building is framed by a massive live oak.
An asymmetrical arch and rusty orange stone make for a dramatic entrance to the main courtyard. Perhaps it references the mission architecture of south Texas?
Tucked in a nook near the top of the wall grows a beautiful sotol.
Looking back toward the parking lot, more arches frame meadow views and support an aqueduct that carries water from the rooftop to a large cistern.
A wider view
A cedar ladder-trellis supports a coral honeysuckle vine.
This new cedar structure is at once practical and decorative, creating a relaxed barrier and providing support for vines.
One of two long cedar loggias in the demonstration garden, this structure provides welcome shade on hot days and a beautiful view year-round.
Another pergola in the meditation garden offers intriguing patterns when viewed from below.
Another look
Bent cattle-panel pieces provide sturdy support for plants soon to emerge from dormancy. I am going to try this simple solution for a few floppy plants in my garden.
A large fossil anchors the center point of a formal path in the demonstration garden.
For more pics from my visit to the Wildflower Center last Friday, click here for Agave Love. To see tomorrow’s post on the sculpture show on display at the Wildflower Center, click here.
All material © 2006-2010 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I love the fountain just to the left of the entrance arch.
Hi, Eric. That water feature appears to flow from the aqueduct atop the wall—very cool. It sluices down a tiled chute and into a rectangular pond. —Pam
Every picture of the Wildflower Center holds inspiration, in every season.
Yes, it’s a wonderful place, Nell Jean. I tend to go in fall and winter to avoid the heat, but I’m going to get pics of the wildflowers this year. —Pam
What a lovely place. Those stone walls are very attractive and that hogwire idea is ingenious. I may try it with something this year too.
That wire paneling is so versatile for various garden projects. —Pam
So nice to be able to visit in winter when you can see the structure. H.
It’s a good time of year to get hardscaping ideas. —Pam
Love the stone work! Totally amazing!
You’d love this place, TM. It’s all about native plants, although not in a dogmatic way. I’ve gotten much inspiration here. —Pam
Pergola and loggia are lovely – its roder and rhythm makes adds beauty to dormant winter garden.
Thanks for posting.
Thanks, Ewa. I’m glad you enjoyed the virtual tour. —Pam
I love the ladder and fence.
Me too, Blossom. And they look easy to construct as well. —Pam
As the Wildflower Center has provided you with inspiration, you have now spread that inspiration out into the blogosphere yet again. Pam, you are most certainly somebody who loves to grow things, and by that I mean more than only the plants in your own yard. Thanks so much for all you do!
What a heart-warming compliment, TexasDeb! Thank you so much for your generous comment. 🙂 —Pam
Such a pretty place with so many great ideas. I really like the tepee, trellis and fence made out natural wood. And the sotol in the corner planter is awesome!
Isn’t it? I can’t wait until my little sotols look like that. —Pam
Good Lord, that arch is incredible. Honestly, the complexity of the masonry is off the charts fascinating. Someone had a lot to think! Lordy, that place is a surprise.
I wish I’d taken a full shot of the arch for you, Steve. The stonework at the Wildflower Center is masterful. You’d love the place. —Pam
Love this! I have a small garden, so I’m always looking to grow plants up instead of out. The branch tipi is especially cool. I’m wondering if the cattle panel would be good for peonies. Mine are just starting stick their heads up out of the ground.
Hi, Willi. I bet that cattle panel support would work for a lot of different plants. I envy you those peonies. —Pam
Beautiful arcade. I like the color and the massiveness of it.
Thanks for commenting, Chuck. You’d like this garden, I think. —Pam
Thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures and thoughts. My possumhaw is absolutely gorgeous this year, too, most berries it’s ever had.
Thanks for your comment, Diana. I guess possumhaws don’t mind hot, dry summers if fall rain is plentiful. —Pam