Rocks and trees: My new garden-to-be

October 08, 2008


With temps in the 50s this morning, milder afternoon heat (80s), and even an inch and a half of rain yesterday, it’s feeling autumnal. I can never resist a hint of fall, so I abandoned my unpacking to take some photos and show you my new garden-to-be. This is the front of the house, a 1971 ranch. My first impressions: nice brick, strangely steep roof resting heavily on dated windows and begging for dormers, and a pleasant if stodgy front stoop. ‘Will Fleming’ yaupon hollies offer a vertical thrust on each side of the door, and I plan to keep them, although I notice that they are planted at different distances from the facade. Liriope, dwarf nandinas, holly ferns, cast-iron plants, cordyline (which I’ve never tried), and an apron of St. Augustine grass make up the narrow, formal landscaping between the house and the circular drive.

I envision some sort of focal point, maybe a fountain, in here, and more of a garden that draws you in. That’s a redbud in the corner by the garage.

Here’s the ‘Whale’s Tongue’ agave waiting patiently for its new home.

On the other end of the house, a surprise! A lovely, good-sized Japanese maple. It’s a bit shoehorned under the eave, but it looks very healthy, despite our limestone soil and heat. Hmm, how much water does this lovely thing need, I wonder? But I love it, I love it!

A streetside view of the central berm (did I mention the front yard is big on berms?), which the circular drive curves around. Live oaks stand tall in the middle, underplanted with Asian jasmine, a nandina or two, and some purple trailing lantana. The trees will stay, but a deer-resistant, shade-tolerant garden will be created here. On the other side of the front yard, a shady, grassy berm holds court. I’m not sure what I’ll do with it yet. And there’s ivy growing up the house over there that must be removed to eliminate termite-conducive conditions.

Moving to the back yard, this is one of the features that sold us on this house. A lovely pool, not too big, not too small, well integrated into a sloping, rocky lot, partially shaded by a canopy of live oaks. As you can see, the lot is wide and relatively shallow. Along the back property line, a cedar-post fence adds to the naturalistic feel and provides privacy.

A patio overlooks the pool on one side of the yard, and several raised, limestone-edged beds bridge the slope between patio and pool. This bed is home to only rosemary and a few tired annuals, but I wonder if the ‘Whale’s Tongue’ agave might work here. First I’d need to add several inches of gravelly soil though.

More limestone rocks. More trees. These are the dominant themes of the back yard.

A redtip photinia hedge and a chain-link fence separate our yard from one neighbor’s. I’m not a fan of photinia, which tends to blight in Austin. But this hedge looks green and healthy, and it’s a nice change from the typical board fencing used in Texas.

Walking the fenceline at the lowest level of the yard, it’s nearly all exposed slabs of limestone with pockets of plants here and there, including this Texas persimmon (yea! great tree!).

No-fuss liriope and purple heart dominate this shady, low-maintenance area and must tolerate splashing pool water.

But there’s also this Mexican buckeye, which I always wanted for my old garden but didn’t have room.

Looking back up the slope toward the house, you can see the raised beds that bridge the slope. There are a couple of roses in here, plus another large Texas persimmon that I regret to say I may have to remove because of its encroachment on the house.

Here are the roses plus a lantana or two. The space may prove too narrow for lantana, but I will wait and see how the roses do.

A mature pink crepe myrtle, nicely shaped, will stay, as I can see its blossoms from the kitchen window that also overlooks one end of the pool.

At the far end of the yard, an elevated deck leads to a small lawn (soon to be haunted by the trampoline). The untreated lattice should probably be raised off the ground to avoid becoming termite bait. We may replace it entirely with horizontal strips for a more contemporary look.

Here and there in the lawn, limestone slabs and boulders surface, like the tips of the icebergs they really are. Ooh, digging ain’t going to be easy in this garden!

Another one, like a turtle head. I see that raised beds and bermed beds are in my future.

The back fence is one of my favorite features. Wired to an existing chain-link fence, skinny, shaggy cedar posts make a dark, receding backdrop to evergreen plants.

What a great idea!

On this end of the back fence, a decomposed-granite path winds through the live oaks. Two pineapple guavas are growing along the fence. I wouldn’t have been able to ID them except for the original plant tags that were handily left on them when planted. I’m not familiar with this ornamental tree and will watch with interest to see how they do. They’re heavily shaded, so I’m not sure they’ll fruit, but their dark, glossy leaves are handsome anyway.

Looking back up toward the pool, more limestone!

And more! But that’s OK with me. This is a completely different kind of lot than I gardened in previously. Where it was flat, I now have a slope. Where it was deep clay, I now have rock. Where it was sunny and open, I now have shelter and shade. Austin’s gardeners know about the division between Blackland prairie and the Balcones escarpment. There are challenges and joys with both kinds of soils. I can already see the challenges ahead. But there are ways around them, and the joy of gardening is easily tapped into.
Soon, I hope.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

0 responses to “Rocks and trees: My new garden-to-be”

  1. Frances says:

    Hi Pam, thanks for taking the time to show us your new digs, get it? I can see the appeal that this property had for you, the challenge of the rocks but more room including the pool. Looks like lots of shade too, that might impact your placement of the agave? I would be hesitant to place the agave near where pool people are scampering around and might fall into its pickery clutches though. But that raised bed sure looks like a good spot for it. Shade and limestone, sounds like the name of a blog! Love the cedar fence.
    Frances
    Heh, heh, I get it! I will find a way to dig in the new yard, somehow, some way. Don’t worry, I will be thinking of swimmers when I place the agave. That raised bed is larger than it looks, and there would be no danger to exposed skin. My only concern is the amount of shade, but this agave actually prefers light afternoon shade in our hot climate. Anyway, I’m still in the watching and thinking phase. —Pam

  2. Racquel says:

    What an exciting new adventure you are about to embark on Pam! Your new yard & home are very lovely. There is so many great existing plants to give you a place to jump off from. Can’t wait to see what you do with this new garden.
    Thanks, Racquel. I quite enjoyed having a blank slate at my last place. But this time I’ll be making a garden within the existing hardscaping and many trees. I’m looking forward to the new challenge, but I’m not in a big hurry. Inspiration will come after watching and waiting for a while. Thanks for following me to the new place! —Pam

  3. Jenny says:

    Thanks for the tour. What an exciting time for you and the family. A new house is always such fun- learning about all the nooks and crannies and exploring what you have in the garden. I can see that you have a lot of potential there, especially with those large ledge stones. They are wonderful features to have in the garden. I am sure you will be drawing up plans. When you do, do post them for us to see.
    It has been an exciting time indeed, and an exhausting one. I will be taking my time getting started with the new garden, waiting for spare time to arrive and for inspiration. Yes, the stones are marvelous—and I didn’t even have to pay extra to bring them in! —Pam

  4. Lola says:

    Congratulations Pam, on your new home & garden of which both are lovely. Did you notice the large rock formed like a huge mouse lying on his back down by your favorite fence? That is so cute as is the turtle head. Hmmmm maybe some garden names. Happy gardening.
    Thanks, Lola. No, I still don’t see the mouse. I’ll go back and look again. —Pam

  5. Julie says:

    ooh, Pam. Those big chucks of limestone are magnificent!
    hope your imagination is running wild.
    Hi, Julie. So far my imagination is going crazy about the inside—mainly how to get all our junk put away neatly again. How did we end up with so much stuff?! 🙂 —Pam

  6. Barbara says:

    Congratulations! Love, love, love the rock slabs. Lovely yard and pool (think tank, right?) and what a great adventure finding new homes for your transplants. thanks for taking the time to share with us.
    Think tank—I love it! Yep, I’ll be doing a lot of thinking in there, I’m sure. I can’t wait to have a cool place from which to enjoy the garden next summer. —Pam

  7. A nice tour of your new place. If I can help in any way, please let me know. I loved my raised beds. Great for the sandstone shelf my house sits on. Also, I garden on a slope. It’s wonderful for drainage. I can just see the wheels turning in your mind, Pam.~~Dee
    Raised beds and a slope make for wonderful drainage. My desert plants should feel right at home once I get gravelly beds installed for them. Thanks for reminding me how you handled similar challenges, Dee, and so beautifully. —Pam

  8. Victoria says:

    How exciting! I’ve been dying to see your new garden. And thank you for introducing me to the word “berm”: I’d never heard of it. I had to look it up on Wikipedia. If you’ve never grown cordylines, they’re dead easy and undemanding. But they do grow quite big quite fast, so make sure yours are where you want them while you can still move them. As for that agave, it would look fabulous absolutely anywhere, I reckon.
    Hi, Victoria. I’m so glad you commented because it led me to your gorgeous blog and garden. I look forward to perusing your older posts when I have a little spare time. Thanks for the tips on the cordylines too. —Pam

  9. Tina Vaziri says:

    I love all the limestone, it’s gorgeous and very different! Can’t wait to see what you do with it all.
    Yes, it’s very different from what anyone may have seen on my blog previously. Thanks for following me to the new place, Tina! —Pam

  10. Phillip says:

    How exciting to start a new garden from scratch! Is this property larger than your previous home? Was it difficult leaving your other garden?
    Yes, it’s larger, Phillip—one-third of an acre versus less than a quarter-acre at the old place. But the pool and the circular drive do take up some of the space. It was not as difficult to leave the other garden as I thought it might be. I’ve always enjoyed new adventures and trying something different. This is certainly different! —Pam

  11. Randy says:

    Oh, Pam! What a lovely home! I love all the limestone rocks. It’s already beautiful just as it is, I can hardly wait to see it once you put your special touch to it! It’s going to be grand. The best part is we get to watch it all happen!
    Thank you for your contagious enthusiasm, Randy! Your comment almost makes me want to start digging (or using a pick-axe!), but first I must straighten out the inside of the house. I’ll probably start making plans this winter. Something for me to look forward to! —Pam

  12. Susannah says:

    Like everyone else, I love the limestone! I’ve been trying to figure out how to get some big limestone boulders into my yard, they look great. What a beautiful spot, I can’t wait to see what happens!
    I love the limestone too. At this point, it would be an exercise in frustration if I didn’t. 😉 —Pam

  13. Kim says:

    Pam, thanks for the view of your new garden. I can see how you’d be excited to begin gardening here – all the lovely grade changes and the limestone! It will be great fun to watch it evolve once you start digging again.
    Thanks, Kim. I have a feeling it won’t be too long until the shovel comes out. —Pam

  14. I’m with the others Pam–I love the limestone. I can’t wait to see what you do-looks like there are lots of options for so many areas. I hope you’ll keep us updated with the progress. Are you going to keep the structure in front?
    Hi, Linda. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with any of it yet. I need to spend some time out there just poking around and looking at things. —Pam

  15. Diana Kirby says:

    What a great tour.Pam — it’s almost like Open Days again! Your new place is fabulous. And while it’s very different, it has great bones and lots of special little pockets that I know you will have fun building on. I’m eager to see what you do with shade and deer, as I am slowly shifting my beds to shade plants as my trees grow and I finally come to accept my fate! I like the spot you’re thinking of for the whale’s tongue – the rock will look great against the agave. Good luck and keep posting!
    There ARE lots of bones, aren’t there? Limestone bones! Thanks for the encouragement, Diana. I’ll definitely keep posting. —Pam

  16. Oh good! I wanted so much to say in my post that I saw your new house on Saturday, but that would have been wrong. Now that the photos are up … I was there! It’s already a good place to be – and the Whale’s Tongue would fit in that bed.
    Just one complaint – I’m not jealous of your beautiful pool… I’m not jealous of your lovely Japanese Maple …. but your inch-and-a-half of rain to my mere 1/4 inch has me very envious, indeed.
    Annie at the Transplantable Rose
    It was fun to show you around and get your impressions, Annie. I hope you also get some rain very soon. —Pam

  17. Bonnie says:

    Some very dramatic elements at the new house, Pam! The limestone, the pathways. But how will you mow the grass with all of the limestone? I’m sure you’ll figure it out.
    I just always find it so much of a challenge interpreting a past owners’ vision of the garden and trying to morph it into my own. You’ll do it, I’m sure!
    Well, mowing will be easy enough, but it would take an edger to get the grass around the rocks. And I’m notoriously bad about not edging. Solution? Maybe beds around the rocks instead of grass. —Pam

  18. Gail says:

    Pam, What fantastic bones your garden has! Big beautiful limestone bones! This is going to be a lovely journey for you. Thanks for sharing the beginning with us. I look forward to what’s next! You are as always a gracious host. Gail
    Yes, there are lots of bones here. Now I have clay and limestone too, as you do in Tennessee. —Pam

  19. It’s great to get a first look at your new yard and gardens. I’m looking forward to seeing it evolve into *your* garden.
    That limestone rock does look like it would be quite a challenge to work around, but I know you’ll figure out a way.
    Thanks, Carol. Maybe by the next time you come to Austin, it will have evolved into a garden rather than simply landscaping. —Pam

  20. Chris says:

    Some people pay for big rocks like that in their yard! If anyone can make this place unique it will be you. Can’t wait to see what you do.
    Thanks, Chris. Yep, I won’t have to pay to have boulders delivered here. —Pam

  21. Karen says:

    It’s so interesting to start over somewhere, and challenging as you say with the stones and also having to keep or nix the current plantings. I’m sure you’ll do wonders, especially with the front entrance. The agave for one will totally change the look of anywhere you decide to put it! Maybe raised beds for veggies and flowers, and xeriscaping/succulents for the exposed/tougher areas? Good luck and look forward to seeing the evolution that is sure to take place!
    Thanks, Karen. I’m looking forward to working my way around the challenges of this lot. I think it has a lot of promise. —Pam

  22. Cindy says:

    Pam, you’re going to have a wonderful time planning and planting all the different garden spaces. I know your mind is already racing with possibilities and I look forward to seeing which ones you choose!
    Thanks, Cindy. It’s going to be fun! —Pam

  23. Oh, so lovely to see your new home. It really is lovely, like you said, in a different way than your last home. Great bones! I can just imagine how much of a challenge those massive limestone slabs are going to be, but they are SO beautiful. I can’t wait to see how you turn it from good to fantastic.
    ~Angela 🙂
    Thanks, Angela. I’m remembering that you moved too not that long ago. How is your new garden coming along? —Pam

  24. eve says:

    What a wonderful new home. Sure, there is going to be a lot of work to make it the way you want it, but I know your vision is already in your head for most of it. Now to get it down on paper and begin. You are going to have such fun.
    Hi, Eve. It IS going to be fun. I don’t actually have a vision for the future garden yet. I’m letting it unfold itself for a little while. —Pam

  25. Robin says:

    It will be fun to watch the transformation as you make this place uniquely yours.
    Thanks for coming along on the journey, Robin. —Pam

  26. Pam, as always, you’ve told a great story with pictures more than words. That is an amazing talent you have, and I truly admire it. And like Annie, I’m totally jealous of your rainfall…like her, I got a mere 1/4″ here. However, unlike Annie, I’m jealous of the pool as well! I love those raised beds that are already in place for you, that’s a lot of work saved. Your current plant selection is almost identical to what I started with here in my home (builder’s shade choice circa 1970)…it is lush and green, if not exciting. But it does give you time to relax into your garden and let it tell you what it wants. I’m curious if you have a space for a lovely garden cottage, like Green Hall? Enjoy and relax…and don’t worry about unpacking, it will happen in its own time.
    Lush and green is a good place to start, don’t you think? Selective editing will open spaces for my own additions, as you have done in your garden. As for a garden structure, I would really love to have a charming shed again. Perhaps someday. —Pam

  27. Tyra says:

    Thank you, I had a wonderful time in your gorgeous garden. So many fantastic things, stones, trees and plants. That Whales Tongue so beautiful love the colour and structure. LOL Tyra
    Thanks, Tyra. I hope to get that agave settled in its new home soon. It has first dibs on a spot in the garden. —Pam

  28. Now I know how hot it can be in Austin I really understand why you wanted a swimming pool and such a nice one it is too. It’s great that there are already some well established trees in your new garden and there is lots of potential with both the house and garden. You will be able to put your own stamp on it.
    BTW I’m jealous of your rainfall too, wish we had as little as that over here. 😉 Last Sunday it rained non stop.
    Ha—you want less rain, not more? Maybe you should send yours to all the Austinites who are desperate for more rain. —Pam

  29. You have a great place there. Your magic touch will only enhance it and make it fabulous.
    Donna
    Magic? I wish. It’s just a lot of digging and experimenting. But thank you for the vote of confidence, MNG. —Pam

  30. From the very first picture, I saw the St. Augustine grass and thought, “Oooh, I wonder what that’s going to be!” I’m looking forward to reading about your new gardening adventures and watching you transform your new space.
    I guess you know how I took out all the lawn at the last house, right, Rachel? But I ended up adding a tiny lawn back in, so who knows, I may keep a little lawn out front too. Or not, who knows? —Pam

  31. LindaLunda says:

    I do think the new garden are awesome! What great opportunities!!!! And the limestones… I LOVE them! WOW!!! Let the magic begin!
    Linda
    The limestone is great, isn’t it? I need some soft textures to contrast with all that rock. —Pam

  32. Hi Pam! I think it looks very nice. And I now that when you have made it your own, it would look even better. I hope you bring your beautiful birdhouse with you, or build a new one. It was so beautiful.
    It shall be very interesting to follow your new project.
    Ken
    Hi, Ken. Alas, I’m leaving the birdhouse. It really belongs to the old garden. I think I will have to abandon the cottage look at the new place. The landscape and the house seem to require something different. I do want to install a screech owl nesting box though. (Not the same thing, I realize.) —Pam

  33. linda says:

    Congratulations on your beautiful new home Pam! The property has great bones, some great trees and plants, lots of wonderful shade, and I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with it. I’m excited for you!
    Thanks, Linda! —Pam

  34. It will be very interesting to see what you do with this new place as it seems so unlike the style you developed at Green Hall. I’ll be watching especially for your solutions for dealing with trees–not just the shade they produce but the water and nutrient-sucking roots.
    I still have some larkspur seeds waiting for you. Will you have enough sunlight to want them here?
    Yes, it is very different from the old place and, as I mentioned to Ken above, I believe it requires a different style of garden. Even my old, colorful garden furniture doesn’t look quite right here. Thanks for remembering me with the larkspur seed. I’m not sure where I will put anything yet, but I’ll be happy to accept it when we next meet. —Pam

  35. Don says:

    Congratulations and condolences on the move (I hate moving). Looks like lots of challenges and opportunities at the new place. Your timing is perfect because you’ll be able to enjoy the great fun of autumn leaves, most of which will somehow find their way into your pool and with live oaks you’ll get a repeat performance in March. Not to worry though, because you can always convert it into a pond or garden once the newness wears off (I’m a onetime former and never again pool owner). The area behind the cedar fence looks wooded also which bodes well for birds. Hope the neighbors are friendly.
    Yes, we’ve been warned about the live-oak leaf drop in Feb. or March. We’re on it! Our enthusiasm for the pool runs high right now. Both of us grew up with a pool, and it seems a good way to enjoy outdoor family time in the Texas summers. Yes, behind the cedar fence is a wooded strip, which effectively buffers our view of the neighbors, and theirs of us. —Pam

  36. Jean says:

    Wow, such great possibilities. I know you’ll do something great there. Those boulders will guide and shape your garden into something wonderful I’m sure.
    Thanks, Jean. I look forward to digging again soon. —Pam

  37. Eleanor says:

    Pineapple guava is one of my favorite shrubs for a mixed hedge. Low water, always looks great, and it fruits; very cool. I hope yours get enough sunlight to flower…if they do the flowers are edible, kind of crunchy-succulent and tropical. Yum.
    It sounds like an intriguing shrub. Thanks for letting me know about your experience with it. —Pam

  38. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    What a challenge you have before you Pam. I know you are up to it though. I just love that limestone with the holes in it. I think it gives those stones such character. That “turtle head” sticking out of the soil seems to be asking for something of interest around it. I can’t wait to see where you go with this new garden. I bet your mind is reeling with ideas.
    My mind is reeling all right, but just from moving overload. Garden inspiration will have to wait for now, but it’s a lovely view as is in the back. Once the boxes are unpacked, I plan to sit and just look and listen for a while. —Pam

  39. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    P.S. I have a Japanese Maple that is in a terrible spot. It gets no water supplement and it does fine.
    I bet your JM will continue to flourish with your TLC.
    Thanks for the info, Lisa. The yard is on an automatic sprinkler system, and I don’t have a good sense of how much water is being dumped on the yard right now. That’s something I’ll be studying with interest through the winter and into the spring. —Pam

  40. Pam,
    How exciting to begin a new garden! And not too much to remove either – which is always nice. Love the exposed limestone.
    Happy gardening –
    Chloe M.
    Thanks, Chloe. I’m looking forward to a new beginning. —Pam

  41. Nancy Bond says:

    Your new home and new digging space is just lovely — I’m pea green with envy! 🙂 I particularly like all that limestone. Can’t wait to see what you do with it all. 🙂
    That limestone is amazing to me. It’s almost like paving below the pool. It reminds me of the creek bottoms in our local greenbelts. —Pam

  42. Vertie says:

    The new house looks great. I can’t wait to see what all you come up with. I’ve got lots of shade in my front yard and would love some new ideas. My first question is whether any of that grass by your front door will stay.
    I’m not sure about that grass yet, Vertie. There’s a lot more grass in the front yard that I didn’t show. I will certainly have to get an electric mower to handle it (I used a human-powered reel mower for the lawnette at the last house), at least until a garden takes over. —Pam

  43. And now the fun begins! Congrats on the new place. Can’t wait to see the evolution as years go by………
    The fun begins—that’s right! Acting on ideas, making mistakes, trying again to get it right—that’s the fun of starting a new garden, isn’t it? —Pam

  44. Barbarapc says:

    Pam – no more digging – time for a jack-hammer! Lovely home & lots of scope for your new garden. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
    I don’t do jackhammers, Barbara. It’s time for raised beds! —Pam

  45. chuck b. says:

    I’m very excited for you, Pam! How nice to have some established plant material to start with, huh? I’m fascinated by the limestone slabs, and the way you describe them emerging from the ground. I’m in love with the cedar post fence. That could be an interesting theme to expand on.
    I don’t know Texas, but in California agaves are quite content in dryish shade. And the pineapple guava fruit, if it’s Feijoa sellowiana (spelling?), I think, is supposed to taste best when ripening in cool weather. That’s what I’ve heard anyway; I’ve never tasted it. The flowers themselves are edible too.
    I’m going to give my transplanted agaves a go in part-shade. The ‘Whale’s Tongue,’ variegated American agave, and squid agaves should be quite happy with a little shade. The trick in my new yard is finding part shade, not full shade. Live oaks cast pretty deep shade, but there are a few places here and there that will work. Thanks, by the way, for your excitement, Chuck. I’m always happy to hear from you. —Pam

  46. cindee11461 says:

    Welcome Home…your new home that is(-: Looks like a lot of fun and of course work to come for you!!! I love the limestone rocks they add a lot of character to your yard. Best wishes to you and your family !!!!
    Many thanks, Cindee! —Pam

  47. shirl says:

    Hi there Pam 😀
    Can’t believe you’ve time for this wonderful tour of your new estate! What an interesting landscape you are now faced with. Gardening is always a challenge and I have absolutely no doubt you will conquer this one 😀
    Oh… to go into a garden with so much rock would be a dream for me – although I doubt I could move these ones about! I’ve imported mine (much lighter sandstone) via a local farmer who dug them up in his fields. He would have eventually had them crushed – I saved them really! For a small sum and a big smile he allowed us to choose them from a huge pile (we threw them into the bucket of a farm digger) and he delivered them. What a fun day that was!!
    I am certain you will have so much fun both as a gardener and with your family in your new garden – enjoy 😀
    I love the idea of “saving” rock! You really did rescue those from certain death by crushing. Yep, the big rocks in my yard are surely immovable, and I don’t plan to try. I’m thrilled to have them. But it’s the rock hiding under the grass and garden soil that’s giving me pause. —Pam

  48. Another “Eden” to create, how fun! Pam, I can imagine so many things for your new garden, I’ll have to check up on you to see what you do. Your new yard is nice and big and I love your boulders. Can you Fed Ex them to me in Los Angeles?
    Shirley
    Coming right up, Shirley! 😉 I hope you will check back again soon. And if you have any really good ideas, don’t be shy! —Pam

  49. julian says:

    Those big exposed rocks look nice, though as you say I can imagine there’s more under the surface 🙂
    It’s just the tip of the iceberg, Julian. —Pam

  50. Libby says:

    I just smiled all through this post, identifying with your excitement, plans, and discoveries. I LOVE THE ROCKS, this is like having 14-ft ceilings and great moldings and Palladian windows. It’s architecture to play against. I cannot wait to see it unfold over the years.
    I think of rocks in that way too, Libby. And since this is a 1970s ranch house, it lacks great molding and Palladian windows, but I’ll take the rocks! —Pam

  51. Kylee says:

    What a wonderful property, Pam! You’ve got some great things already there with which to work. You know, a lot of people wouldn’t recognize the potential that you do, and it already looks pretty good! You are going to make that place into a fabulous showplace, just like you did your other home. I like your idea for putting the agave in that raised bed. It’s like it was just waiting for someone like you to come along with something perfect for the spot. It will be fun to watch you transform this into your own!
    Thanks, Kylee! I think the fun is in the process too. This time around, as I start a new garden, I will be able to draw on all the great ideas I’ve picked up from fellow garden bloggers these last few years. What fun! —Pam

  52. Layanee says:

    Pam: I have been waiting, not so patiently, to see your new home and garden…you know how to create a bit of exciting expectation both with your pictures and your post. Great features are available and I know that the very traditional front garden will only improve with your touch. You have your share of rock don’t you!
    I do indeed! I will be drawing on your rock-studded garden for inspiration, Layanee. —Pam

  53. I can’t wait to see what you do with this yard – I’m sure it will be wonderful. That cedar fence is a great idea!
    Isn’t it? One of my friends who just saw it is already trying it out with her chain-link fence. Rolled bamboo is another option. —Pam

  54. Oooh… I definitely see raised beds/berms in your future, too, Pam! Yikes those boulders are tough-looking. But OH the possibilities! 🙂
    I agree, Kim. As cooler gardening weather arrives, I hope to find time to get out and really start thinking and dreaming and planning about the garden. —Pam

  55. susan harris says:

    Wow, this is going to be SO much fun – for your readers! I can totally imagine you in that garden, too, rocks and all, except for that little lawn+lirope in the front – that won’t last long, will it? The pool is lovely – a rarity – and that chain-link-fence solution is brilliant. If I can do something like that, maybe I can rip the English ivy off my chainlink. Hmm.
    You don’t think I’ll keep the little lawn and liriope edging, Susan? 😉 For now it stays, as the back yard comes first. I need to focus on getting my old-garden transplants replanted, and I already have beds to work with in back. By the way, I think your English ivy is a nice solution for your chain-link. I like the way it turns an ugly fence into a green hedge. —Pam

  56. What kind of a rock garden grows in Texas? Normally you associate alpine plants with a rock garden. And it wasn’t clear from your pictures, but some of those trees look like their trunks were buried when the berms were created. That can slowly kill them, can’t it?
    Generally sunny rock gardens in Austin contain desert plants like yuccas, agaves, sotols, succulents, Mexican daisies, penstemons, spring wildflowers, etc. Shady, rocky, deer-infested landscapes like mine tend to be planted with what I’ve inherited: purple heart, liriope, nandina, cast-iron plant, and holly ferns.
    As for the berms, they’re not just on my lot but all through the neighborhood, which makes me think the properties were sculpted this way when the houses were built (early 1970s) or they reflect the original topography, which is hilly and rocky, and the houses and drives were carved out around pockets of preserved live oaks (probably the latter). In either case, the trees are mature and seem healthy. —Pam

  57. This is exciting! Your new yard looks like a cross between Gail’s & mine. Ranch house, shallow yard that slopes down to a chainlink fence, but with limestone outcroppings. What great challenges & opportunities. I hope you, your family & the Whale’s Tongue will be very happy there.
    Aww! We—and the ‘Whale’s Tongue’—thank you, MMD. So far so good. We’re loving the new back yard and house. —Pam

  58. kerri says:

    Oh, what fun you’re going to have creating your new garden, Pam! I can imagine the wheels turning as you gaze at that beautiful yard. Lots of interesting features and nice to have some existing plants. Love those rock ledges and that wonderful fence. The rock reminds me of Layanee’s garden.
    The kids will love that pool..and Mom and Dad too!
    Thanks so much for this lovely tour. I hope things settle down for you soon. You must be exhausted!
    I’m getting caught up on sleep now, Kerri. We’re settling in, and yes, I’m starting to think about gardening ideas. It’s fun to have a new space to think about. —Pam