Stone Palms Garden: Open Days Austin
I’m back! After a whirlwind weekend of packing, lifting, and unpacking, we’re settling into our new house. I will post pictures of the new yard soon, but all my attention so far has been focused on the inside of the house. Boxes still loom in the hallways and around the perimeters of the rooms, and I promised the kids I’d paint their rooms this week. Whew—so much to do! But we love the house, and we’ve even swum in the pool a few times, despite the chilly water temperature.
On Saturday I took a much-needed break from the chaos of moving and treated myself to a day of garden touring with Annie of The Transplantable Rose. I had a marvelous time, despite my sleep-deprived state, and it was wonderful to visit with Annie. Plus she’s a great plant-ID’er, which is handy on a garden tour.
Our first stop was the Stone Palms garden, located in the Clarksville neighborhood near downtown. Pictured above is the entrance arbor to the back garden—so inviting. This tiny jewel box of a garden is graced with creations of limestone crafted by Berthold Haas and exquisite mosaics of seashells arranged by his wife, Emily Haas (parents of actor Lucas Haas).
Seemingly stolen from Neptune’s kingdom, Stone Palms is a fantasy in white and green, and it was my favorite for hardscaping and garden spaces. (Fatal Flower was my favorite for plant design; pics coming soon.) Named for a pair of stone- and succulent-encrusted columns at the front entrance, topped with enormous sago palms, the garden’s drama starts at the sidewalk and never lets up.
Intimate seating areas tucked into open-air but roofed niches were the signature element of this urban garden. I love the cooling green-and-white color scheme of this one, and especially those green glass orbs dangling from the arbor. Berthold created the limestone table, Emily the shell-encrusted bureau.
A closer look at her handiwork
And more
Much of the back garden seemed to be built over a concrete driveway or patio, so potted plants were a natural solution. This trio of gorgeous terracotta pots contains the wisteria vines that twine over the dining arbor.
Moving around to the front garden, I was startled to see a fully draped, four-poster bed, the posts decorated with glowing, pink conch shells. Practical me, I couldn’t help wondering about mosquitoes and mildew, but it certainly added to the magical theatricality of the garden.
At the other end of this tiny space, a delightful open-air, plastic-roofed seating area invited us in. A docent told us that in winter, the owners wrap the structure in plastic to create a greenhouse for their plants, but were it just for people, the shiny, purple-shelled fireplace would keep you warm.
Opposite the fireplace, a limestone bowl of pink shells is reflected in a shell-bejeweled mirror, doubling the beauty and adding light to the space.
A closer look
There was so much to see in this small garden—including this incredible wall fountain—that it was hard to tear myself away. But six more gardens beckoned, so at last we cast off.
Click here for my next tour, of the Fatal Flower garden.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Wow, Pam….just wow. What a splendidly lovely and whimsical place. I especially love that wall fountain; I could see sitting in front of that just STARING at it for hours and hours, letting the colours and the sound soothe the soul. Glad also that the move is done and that you and Annie got to go off skylarking together.
Hanging out with Annie was lots of fun. I’m glad you liked the garden too, Jodi. It was so creative and beautiful. —Pam
Those were splendid and excellent photos, Pam. I liked the bed. I could see napping in it. Glad you’re in your new home; can’t wait to see it.~~Dee
I could only see napping in that bed in the winter, when the mosquitoes are dead. 😉 —Pam
Great close-ups Pam — Can’t wait to see the rest of them. I hope your move is going smoothly and you aren’t too overwhelmed!
I enjoyed your tour post too, Diana. It’s fun to see a garden from different perspectives, isn’t it? —Pam
What a fun tour !!
Gotta see more…
Sounds like you’ve been moving so take your time. There’s only so many hours in a day.
So true! But why can’t there be more hours in the day? 🙂 Thanks for dropping by, Patsi. —Pam
Hi Pam, hip hip hooray, for you are moved! The boxes will slowly disappear and you will forget all about them. I can’t wait for more details about your new digs AND the garden tours. Annie is the perfect companion, knowledgeable and funny, a great way to get away from the reality of the move. Those shell productions are quite the masterpieces, what a fun couple they must be, so artistic too. I can’t wait to see your take on the other stops. Thanks for taking time to post about it.
Frances
Hi, Frances. Yea, the move is done, and we’re settling in. As you know, Annie is a lot of fun to hang out with and talk gardening. We had a good time. —Pam
Glad you found time to get out and visit the gardens. You homed right in on my favorite garden. What an artist and what a wonderful place to have her workshop. I think I’d be gazing out of the window all the time.
Wasn’t it wonderful? I know—a workshop in the heart of the garden would be sublime. —Pam
So you’ve left the old garden…well, swimming is a plus! Can’t wait to see pictures of the new one but the garden tour pictures were very satisfying. Annie/Kathy looks so serene sitting in the chair and your attention to detail really helped us all to see the intricacies of this garden of Neptune. Thanks and I hope the boxes are dwindling….
Yes and no, Layanee. We haven’t sold the old house, so I am still caring for the old garden. But at this time of year, it really doesn’t need me very much. It’s been a long goodbye. —Pam
Pam, I just love seeing everyone’s photos and reading their impression of the gardens on the tour. Your pictures are the very best. I so appreciate your artistic eye. You pick up the detail that draws me into a garden. You really should work for some of these garden magazines so a person (me) can see a garden’s soul.
I hope you don’t make yourself sick trying to do too much with this move. Take time to rest. It will
all get done. Thank goodness you are so young and strong. Best wishes.
Lisa, you are so sweet to worry about me. Your advice to take breaks is right on the money, and we took yesterday evening off to eat out and watch a long movie. Ah, bliss.
Your comment about my photos is very flattering. Thanks so much for liking them—and for telling me so! 😉 —Pam
I’m green with envy! Next time, remind me that there are non-stop flights from here to there! You’ve really shown us some great views of this garden, and you were indeed with one of the top Plant ID’ers in all of the blogosphere. I’m looking forward to future posts of more gardens, including those first photos of your new “yard” (which will soon be your new garden!)
Carol, you know I’d love to see you zip down to Austin again for a weekend. Anytime you like…. —Pam
Oh, Pam, you take the greatest pictures! I really like the close-ups of the shell work at Stone Palms, and your picture of Annie is fabulous as well. I hope your moving-in goes smoothly and fast, and I’m not just saying that so that you’ll have more time for blogging. ;D
Hi, Lori. I’m glad you like the photos. I think Annie is photogenic, don’t you? Thanks for the good wishes on a speedy unpacking. —Pam
How exciting to be moved into your new house, Pam! But exhausting too, of course. I’m glad you took time out to wander around some wonderful gardens with everyone’s favorite IDer, Annie/Kathy. She looks very relaxed in this creative, magical garden.
Can’t wait to see your new yard…but I know we must be patient while the boxes dwindle, sleep is caught up on, and order is restored. I hope all goes smoothly.
Thanks, Kerri. We’re happy to be moved in at last. Getting unpacked will take a while, and I couldn’t miss the chance to visit these beautiful gardens. —Pam
It is good to hear that you are moved and that you all love the house. Very important! The computer chair garden tour has been so much fun and I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone’s different eye. I keep looking at the shell mosaic/sculptural furniture and thinking how much work has gone into it. Thanks Pam for taking time to share your photos and post. Gail
My pleasure, Gail. Yes, those shell mosaics are incredible and must have taken many hours to make. What a treasure to have a garden full of them. —Pam
Wow, beautiful! I just love mosaics of natural materials, and I’ve never seen such a whimsical yet pretty collection as these. And I love the green pergola/entry gate. How inspiring! Thanks for sharing! And I’m glad you’re moved–can’t wait to see your new project.
~Angela 🙂
Pam, I can’t believe you found the time to post yesterday, with all your unpacking. This is a lovely garden, I have never seen anything like it. The bed made me chuckle – very Chelsea show!
I am looking forward to seeing your new garden/yard – you are teasing us all and getting us excited!
Wishing you all the best with your unpacking and settling in and hoping you are very happy in your new garden (and home). Best wishes Sylvia (England)
What a magical garden! Lots of wonderful ideas for making the most of small spaces. Of course, the shell mosaics really make the garden a unique and personal expression of the owners. It’s got me thinking: What other natural materials could be used in a similar fashion? Thanks for the tour, Pam, and congratulations on your new home and garden!
I’m glad that I got to wish you a happy birthday in person. And thanks for the tour of Stone Palms. I ran out of time but your photos, along with the posts, make me feel as if I were there.
Good luck with the boxes.
Glad to hear the move has started off well. Thanks for posting your pictures. I’m so sorry I didn’t get to go.
It’s nice to know that anytime I want to revisit this lovely garden your post is just a click away, Pam. But I’m kind of glad that I didn’t know those biographical details about the artists at the time – might have been too in awe to converse as easily as we did.
BTW, you ID’d more plants for me than I did for you ;-]
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
What an enchanting garden, some gardens are pretty magical, don’t you think? Love that gorgeous little wall fountain.
Thanks, everyone, for your comments. With the unpacking after the move, I’ve gotten behind in responding to comments. So know that I appreciate them and you for taking the time. —Pam