Drive-By Gardens: No-lawn, deer-resistant garden in Jester
While driving the hilly West Austin neighborhood of Jester this week, I couldn’t help noticing this attractive, lawn-gone garden that relies heavily on evergreens and ornamental grasses with a sprinkling of flowering perennials for color.
Limestone boulders and pieced flagstone pathways are a key design element here. The careful piecing of the front walk reminds me of stonework I’ve seen in gardens by Environmental Survey Consulting. I wonder if they designed this one as well? Notice the curving approach and, at the front door, the stacked-stone, beehive-shaped fountain, which draws the eye.
A straight-on view leads to a clump of native inland sea oats (Chasmanthium latifolium) underplanted with a fringe of sedge — maybe Texas sedge (Carex texensis)? Upright, strappy leaves of African iris on the left and native softleaf yucca (Y. recurvifolia) on the right anchor the entryways.
Dwarf ‘Katie’ ruellia makes a fantastic, flowering groundcover. I’m trying for this look in my own garden, but the deer have nibbled mine mercilessly. Still, I see ‘Katie’ ruellia used frequently in deer-infested neighborhoods, so I’m hoping if I can just get mine well-established with the use of deer repellent they’ll eventually leave it alone.
Variegated pittosporum shrubs flow over a boulder-studded berm along the sidewalk, mingling easily with the native yuccas. I believe this garden gets morning sun only, with the large tree shading it at midday and the house shading it in the afternoon.
A fairly simple plant palette, with effective massing for impact. This also makes for a lower-maintenance garden.
On the sunnier side, just out from the under the tree canopy, cheery four-nerve daisy (Tetraneuris scaposa) adds a swath of drought-tolerant yellow along the curb. In my own front garden, the deer devoured this plant — which just goes to show that what works for one gardener may not work for another in a different neighborhood, where deer are concerned. In the background, a row of softleaf yuccas march along the front walk, adding evergreen structure.
Along the edge of the yard, more boulders and a retaining wall hold back the slope (and probably helped to level out the front yard for planting). Native ornamental grasses (perhaps Lindheimer’s muhly?) enjoy the full sun. A Certified Wildlife Habitat sign from the National Wildlife Federation, attached to a natural cedar post, helps to “explain” a lawnless garden to neighbors and encourage them to do the same.
One last look at the strip of garden along the left side of the driveway. This might have been a throwaway space, especially in the heavy shade of cedars and oaks. Instead it’s been transformed into a lovely shade garden, with native American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), variegated liriope, native Mexican feathergrass (Nassella tenuissima), and ‘Katie’ ruellia. A stacked-stone, beehive-shaped sculpture, which echoes the water feature by the front door, anchors this space.
All material © 2006-2013 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I love this look. Not all plants that would work here, probably, but it’s another great lawn-less front garden.
I think so too. And for other regions you can substitute locally suited plants with similar shapes and habits. —Pam
I’ve tried the ruellia in the deer areas, and it didn’t last long. But, it does make a nice groundcover. It’s never been evergreen for me, though.
I do like the look of this garden. Low maintenance and lots of interest.
I sure do hope the deer will learn to leave my ‘Katie’ ruellia alone. I really want a swath of it in my garden. —Pam
This garden looks so great with the house…they made it look so neat, not messy at all…despite a lot of mass planting, they still have a lot of different plants that look so well put together!!!
Yes, it’s nicely done. Glad you enjoyed the drive-by! —Pam
No lawn and, it appears, low maintenance requirements as well – ideal for a front garden. I like that Ruellia – I don’t recall coming across the dwarf variety here.
It’s commonly used here in central Texas, Kris, and while purple blooms are most common, you’ll also find it in pink and white. —Pam
The garden is very well done and all the plants are easily found at local nurseries in case the neighbors might want to join in. Love the sculpture, a great idea for leftover stone.
Just when the dwarf ruellia begins to mature, the deer go after it again. This has been going on for three years and I’ve moved most of it to a less accessible spot and begun replacing it with sedge grass. They ignore the four-nerve daily fortunately.
Isn’t it strange how deer will eat different things in different neighborhoods? It certainly makes it challenging! —Pam
Simple, effective design. Love the textures. Definitely professional. Love the closeness of the flatwork.
Yes, the stonework especially is quite nice and clearly professionally designed. —Pam
Lawn-free, low maintenance landscaping is so appealing to me. I’m so glad it’s catching on. I think that Wildlife Habitat sign says it all. You won’t see one of those in an all grass yard.
I agree, Ally. An all-lawn yard provides almost nothing for wildlife except worms. —Pam
That is a stunning lawn free yard. I do like the Wildlife Habitat sign in a yard that is designed to have nothing for wild life to eat.
I thought so too at first, Bob, but on second thought I noticed the berrying and seedbearing plants that will attract birds, as well as some flowering plants for insects. Plus plenty of nesting material, rocks for lizards to sun themselves on, and a water feature that would be attractive to birds. It’s true that this isn’t a garden purely dedicated to attracting wildlife, but that’s OK. It still provides way more in that regard than a lawn ever could. —Pam
Hello Pam,
I really love this look. So far, we have removed the grass in our front yard and I am working on my husband to let us take out the lawn in the back. Great inspiration!
Noelle
How exciting! Have fun with your lawn removal, Noelle. I can’t wait to see how you transform that space. —Pam