October 09, 2010 A toy dump truck has to be the most unusual planter I’ve ever seen, and this golden barrel cactus looks right at home in it. I spotted this playful combo parked on the front lawn of an Allandale home yesterday. Towering on either side of it were …

October 05, 2010 ‘Twinkle Pink’ cuphea October’s cooler, less-humid weather signals the beginning of the second big gardening season in central Texas. At independent nurseries and plant sales, the aisles are packed with tempting new arrivals. And even though it can be hard to tear oneself away from one’s own …

October 04, 2010 A glowing chandelier of dangling flowers seems to hang over my biggest softleaf yucca (Y. recurvifolia) at dusk. The creamy white bells are at peak bloom. This is the second bloom spike this growing season; the other occurred in early summer. Two other softleaf yuccas, planted more …

October 02, 2010 In the garden yesterday, what caught my eye: burgundy-leaved pond lily (Crinum)… …’Whale’s Tongue’ agave (A. ovatifolia)… …which has become a veritable Moby of a whale since I moved it to my new garden two years ago… …and ruby grass (Melinis nerviglumis ‘Pink Crystals’) in bloom. Happy …

October 02, 2010 In the garden yesterday, what caught my eye: burgundy-leaved pond lily (Crinum)… …’Whale’s Tongue’ agave (A. ovatifolia)… …which has become a veritable Moby of a whale since I moved it to my new garden two years ago… …and ruby grass (Melinis nerviglumis ‘Pink Crystals’) in bloom. Happy …

October 01, 2010 Having a little fun in the garden today. I hope you are too. All material © 2006-2010 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited …

September 30, 2010 About two weeks after the big show of oxblood lilies (though a few of mine are still flowering), the spider lilies (Lycoris radiata) have unfurled their frilly, red parasols. I’ve carried these bulbs with me through three moves in Austin. They were planted in the garden of …

September 29, 2010 Blissful weather has this Austin gardener walking on air. Summer is banished this week, with dry, cool air from the north and highs in the lower to mid-80s, and lows in the upper 50s giving us a little nip in the air in the morning. The garden …

September 28, 2010 My favorite salvia for fall is Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha). Fuzzy, purple-and-white spires pop up all over the plant at this time of year, contrasting with narrow, deep-green leaves and pairing beautifully with yellows like copper canyon daisy, tawny ornamental grasses, and the reds and pinks …

September 27, 2010 Austin’s big show of oxblood lilies (Rhodophiala bifida) came right after Tropical Storm Hermine dumped buckets of rain on us. I went out of town for a few days and came home to find spent and wilted blooms, empty stems, and pictures of the dark-red flowers on …

September 25, 2010 Most of my earlier posts about Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin, have shown long views, like the cleome border above. But I do have more-intimate images to share as well. A yellow jacket or some other type of wasp gathering nectar Swamp sunflower, I believe Simple …

September 23, 2010 While my husband rested up for his big race in Madison, Wisconsin, two weekends ago, I stole a few hours with my friend and local guide Linda Brazill of Each Little World. Our first stop was Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Knowing I was short on time, she attempted …

I was surprised to see agaves at Olbrich Botanical Gardens on my recent visit. Well, sure, they must spend the winter in a greenhouse, but still …

September 21, 2010 Architecture in the garden makes me happy, especially when I’m taking pictures. It can be used to frame a view, like this series of doorways. Walls are nice too, and they don’t have to be made of stone. The courtyard garden at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, …