Inside Austin Gardens Tour 2011: Sue Nazar garden
Sue Nazar’s garden, which you can see Saturday on the Inside Austin Gardens Tour, is a lush, expansive oasis tucked in the hills of west Austin. I got a sneak peek on Tuesday, courtesy of the Travis County Master Gardeners, and I’m sharing it with you.
Over the years, Sue has added lots and lots of compost to feed her plants, and the lush growth is impressive. Here’s a swath of heartleaf skullcap and Salvia greggii in her deer-resistant front garden. Sue’s curbside design (not pictured) is especially beautiful and has inspired her neighbors to plant their hell strips as well.
Softleaf yucca
Giant mullein adds velvety texture amid flowering perennials and spiky yuccas.
A mix of annuals and perennials in a saucer container makes a pretty focal point.
Softleaf yucca and bronze loropetalum
Datura blossoms by the mailbox.
Near the front door, a coppery pot echoes the foliage of a Japanese maple.
The back garden is even lusher than the front, if possible, with a more tropical feel thanks to the broad foliage of bananas and gingers. Although some of these plants are on the thirsty side, they’re planted in a rain garden that absorbs runoff and prevents it from washing into a ravine next door.
Oakleaf hydrangea
An eye-poppingly colored shed adds zing to the mix of greens of the shade garden.
A metal bat hanging from a tree adds Austin whimsy.
Next to the pool, a tall palm makes a vertical statement.
The open space around the pool allows Sue to grow some sun-loving plants, like this rose.
A beautiful Mediterranean fan palm accents the pool deck.
I love this vignette: ‘Bloodspot’ mangave in a blue pot, with purple heart, zinnia, and succulents surrounding a stone fish.
An almost black dyckia pops in a red pot.
Succulents and cacti mulched in pink gravel mingle in this tray-style succulent planter.
A close-up reveals the charming detail of a tiny man riding an ox through the pink rocks.
A large deck near the pool is home to a number of xeric planters that won’t require frequent watering during our long, hot summers.
Yet another peaceful, beautiful spot in Sue’s lovely garden.
For a look back at Wendy Brennan’s Zen-meets-South Austin garden click here. Coming up tomorrow, a sneak peek at Sheryl Williams’s sedge lawn and huge vegetable garden.
Inside Austin Gardens Tour
“Water-Wise Gardening”
Saturday, May 14, 9am–4pm
Tickets available at each garden on the day of the tour; a single-garden entry costs $5, or pay $10 to see all 7 tour sites.
Gardening Demonstrations / Education Sessions in Sue Nazar’s garden:
9:30 Eleanor Pratt – Plants for the “Hell Strip”
1:00 Sue Nazar – Gardening in Deer County
All material © 2006-2011 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
This garden is so lush. I like all this eye-popping color.
WOW! I like the eclectic use of different elements, plus the dominance of lush with a few spiky plant accents.
It’s beautiful – I may have to venture out on Saturday to see it since I missed this tour. Looks like my kind of garden — some tropicals, some Buddhas, some deer! Lovely photos.
Beautifully done Pam! Sue’s garden was so inspiring as I have so much shade too and love many of the plants she used. It was sublime!
Absolutely gorgeous and really beautifully photographed as usual. That is also my type of garden as the commenter mentioned above…love it.
What fabulous foliage in this garden! I am going to hold this inspiration as I plan my container plantings.
Thanks for posting these pictures, I love to see what other people do in their gardens.
Both the fish and the bat make me grin. Nice!
Beautiful garden and I love all the vignettes and container gardens. That pink gravel really rocks! 🙂
I love these tours! I am still shaking my head over the clever and creative knitted tree wrap from an earlier garden. gail
Pam, your photos always convey the structure of a space really well. I’m always inspired by them somehow. Good to see you again, too!
These are awesome gardens. Love the shed. Love the Zen garden. Love the whimsy and eclectic use of recycled items made into art. I’d planned to go on this tour, but since most of the garden bloggers who toured took such great photos, I don’t think I need to go after all. so I’ll work on my garden instead. Thanks!
Beautiful yard! Love that metal bat and would love to know where to get one!
Pam,
Your photos are SOOOO beautiful! I have referred all my friends to your site, as I am having so many computer/blogger problems. (BTW, Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging comment about my Easter Lily photo entry. I was inspired after seeing yours and Philip’s entries. And it only took me two tries to figure the entry requirements!!)
You spotted all the great containers I missed! It’s so great to see all the different perspectives from all the bloggers that went on the preview.
Beautiful! And beautiful in a different way, I sense, than many Texas gardens I’ve seen here before. I love the palm by the pool.
Want a yard art bat like Sue’s.