Garden party at Lucinda’s purple casita
I kicked up my heels at Lucinda Hutson‘s purple casita a week ago, charmed as ever by her festive, Tex-Mex garden and her way of celebrating life through good food, friendship, and color.
I wore a Mexican-style dress like Lucinda often does, but I left the purple to her. She wears it well!
I’ve photographed Lucinda’s garden many times over the years, but I always find a new perspective to enchant me.
Mexican tiles and pottery arranged on a garden stool
The flirty mermaid in the Mermaid Garden perches in her bower of seashells and capiz shells. Succulents create a coral-reef vibe, and kelp-like snake plants on either side complete the under-the-sea look.
In the sunny vegetable garden, colorful potted annuals and herbs complement the purple garage with its mosaic-tiled eaves.
In back, Lucinda’s tequila cantina is ready to host another party.
Scrumptious small plates pleased my eye and my taste buds. Look how pretty it all is.
Thank you, Lucinda, for a beautiful time in your home and garden!
__________________________
Digging Deeper
Shop for native Texas plants at the Wildflower Center’s spring Native Plant Sale. Held on Fridays through Sundays, March 24 to May 7, from 9 am to 1 pm. The first weekend is just for Wildflower Center members, so join to enjoy this perk, plus get free admission all year and more.
Experience the Surreal Garden at Zilker Botanical Garden, an enchanting neon-art display throughout the gardens, with food and drink, music and dancing, surreal performers, and interactive art sculptures. Surreal costumes encouraged! 25% of event proceeds benefit the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy. Runs April 6 (VIP Night), April 7-8, and April 13-15, from 6:30 pm to 11 pm.
Add to your succulent collection at the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society Spring Show & Sale on April 15 and 16, from 10 am to 5 pm, at Zilker Botanical Garden. Come enjoy the plant show, shop for unique plants and pottery, and participate in a silent auction and raffles. Free with paid admission to Zilker Botanical Garden.
Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!
All material © 2025 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Well that looked like fun! That mermaid photo/vignette is wonderful. Her garden is so very colorful and yet she pulls it off – like Mother Nature, who never met a color that she didn’t like. Kudos!!
All those colors — each one deliberately paired with others — make for a joyful space!
Colorful potted annuals and herbs in a purple pot, just perfect idea for my annual basil and marigolds…great little but creative ideas, never mind the Tequila bar as well.
She has so many creative vignettes, Karin. Lots of ideas here!
Lovely as always to see Lucinda’s garden.
I’m SO glad the Flingers got to see her garden back in 2018. It’s such an iconic Austin garden.
Beautiful! A treat to see your photos and read about the party.
Thanks, Lisa. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Another fun time at the purple casita. It brings joy and inspiration each visit.
That purple casita is all about joy.
That final pic of a lemon bar(?) is exquisite. But what I’m really loving is your black maxi. Gorgeous party and gorgeous people!
Thanks, Julie! 🙂
Thanks for another visit to this wild, whimsical, and colorful garden space! I love her sense of fun. Her garden personifies JOY!
Those pansy plates are delightful, can you find who makes them, maybe?
They were an estate sale find, as I recall, that a friend found and instantly thought, “Lucinda!” and gave them to her. 🙂
Very special place, and such fun to be invited. Luck you!
I love the underwater scene: the strands hanging from the shell arbor look like bubbles floating to the surface: magical.
Lucinda is so creative, especially with the mermaid garden.