Man, I got manifold mangaves!
The mangave Santa Claus came in March! I got two boxes of fleshy, speckled and striped mangave beauties from Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens.… Read More
Door greeters
During Austin’s infernal summer, the porch plants are looking good. Coppertone sedum spilling out of a planter matches the door color.… Read More
Chilly October excursion to the Hamptons
I went to the Hamptons in October for Madoo Garden. And then I discovered hot lobster rolls, empty beaches, and village shopping.… Read More
Ghost plant in bloom is boo-tiful
Ghost plant and a variegated squid agave have grown into a combo that thrills me in spring, when the ghost plant erupts in tiny yellow flowers.… Read More
Potted characters at East Austin Succulents
Weird and wonderful creatures with plants for brains — sound like anybody you know? — greeted me at East Austin Succulents last week. … Read More
Read This: Striking Succulent Gardens
Striking Succulent Gardens will inspire anyone who loves succulents for their beauty and appreciates their water-saving toughness.… Read More
Fall flowers, foliage, and change-ups
Ah fall, how I love you. After all, autumn is our second spring, and fall perennials like Philippine violet are putting on a show.… Read More
Cinderblock succulent wall deconstruction
I’ve taken down my succulent wall made of cinderblocks. And now I’m mulling the possibilities post-deconstruction.… Read More
Cactus bloom for my garden class
By 9 am, when my first visitors arrived, the garden was sparkling (if a little damp), and the cactus, succulents, and woody lilies throughout the garden responded to the downpour by bursting into colorful bloom.… Read More
Planting vintage toy trucks: My article in Country Gardens
Let’s all ignore winter and keep on truckin’ with spring gardening plans. That might include, if you read my new article in Country Gardens magazine, planting up a vintage toy truck with succulents or cacti. Check it out in the Vol. 28, No. 2 issue, on newsstands soon! … Read More
Today is the last day of cactus and succulent sale at Zilker Garden
September 02, 2018 Need a plant fix today, my fellow Austinites and succulent lovers? Sunday, 9/2, is the final day of the Austin Cactus & Succulent Society’s fall show and sale at Zilker Botanical Garden. I arrived just after opening … Read More
Garden powers through a Texas heat wave
July 24, 2018 Arizona-level heat is plaguing us here in Austin this week. Temps reached 110 F (43.3 C) yesterday, and we’re cooling down to “only” 101-105 F all the rest of this week. The Death Star is on high … Read More
Rock stars at Kew: Alpine House rockery and dry garden
July 14, 2018 I’ve never been much into glasshouses. I generally find them jungly, warm, and humid — conditions I don’t enjoy during Austin’s long summers and don’t wish to experience artificially. But an alpine glasshouse, with cool temps, tidy … Read More
Post-Fling garden exploring with blogger friends
May 15, 2018 Having said goodbye to nearly 100 garden bloggers at Austin Garden Bloggers Fling, on Monday of last week I picked up 4 late-staying blogger friends — Loree Bohl of Danger Garden, Gerhard Bock of Succulents and More, … Read More