Ponds and patios are made for lazy summer days
OK, so my days haven’t been too lazy. I have been working on my book, after all. But as summer winds down (by the school calendar, not by any actual cooling from the 100sF), I’ve given myself the gift of some unscheduled leisure time so that I can enjoy being with the kids before they go back to school and in order to do a little cleaning up in the garden. I’m taking time, too, to enjoy my stock-tank pond, with its blooming water lilies, darting fish, and trickling spigot-fountain.
Our new dog, Cosmo, seems to be checking on the starry blooms of the ‘Helvola’ water lily. But really he was curious about the thirsty honeybees lined up along the pond’s rim, and he’s lucky he didn’t get stung on the nose. A few perturbed buzzes and he got the message.
“I didn’t really care about those silly bees anyway.” That’s a ‘Colorado’ water lily just opening up behind him.
The view from the back steps, looking down at the upper patio and, below that, the pool patio. I’m liking how that cobalt cushion echoes the color of the bottle tree. The big agave—now 4 feet tall and nearly 6 feet across—is my beloved ‘Whale’s Tongue’ (Agave ovatifolia). I’m still watching anxiously for a bloom spike. Maybe it’ll last another year or two before it blooms—I hope!
This sunny spot is looking more and more tropical, I realize, especially since I added the ‘Tropicanna’ canna and orange-flowered pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima). The chartreuse foliage behind them belongs to a Mexican weeping bamboo (Otatea acuminata subsp. aztecorum), and of course that’s the ‘Whale’s Tongue’ agave in front. These plants love the heat of summer a lot more than I do, but they help me enjoy it too.
All material © 2006-2012 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
All of your blue, yellow and white make a lovely garden color combo. What white you ask?? Cosmo of course. 🙂
I know you like a white coat on a dog too, Lisa. Good old Luna! —Pam
And I’m liking how the turquoise in the outdoor rug and the table echo the swimming pool beyond. Simply lovely and I’d be resting on my bench (and calling that my “laurels”) as long as the shade lasted. My tropicana cannas haven’t bloomed this year – I believe they aren’t getting enough sun, but that situation has changed with the loss of overhanging foliage so I’ve got fingers crossed for a “late is better than never” display.
Are you seeing as many bees this year as last? I have not out here in the Rollingwood area and I’m wondering if it is a super local shift or something more widespread in our area.
The pond is buzzing pretty actively with thirsty bees currently, Deb. I think it’s clear there’s a hive out in the woods nearby. They seem content to fly in for a drink and then head out, but they didn’t care for a dog nose poking around at them. —Pam
I would love your backyard, what an oasis. Just lovely.
Thank you, Janet. It feels like an oasis to us too—even before I started making a garden back there. The previous owners did a beautiful job with the pool and structure of the yard, which is a large part of what attracted us to the house. —Pam
I’d like to echo TexasDeb. I’m not seeing as many bees OR hummingbirds this year. I was delighted to see a bumble yesterday when I stopped to take a rest. He was working the black n blue salvia. Anybody else experiencing this shortage of bees and hummers?
Oh, and your pool/patio in shades of blue area is so cool – in all senses of the word. Cosmo needs a turquoise bow on his head. 😉
He’d have it shredded in two seconds, Sandy, and then look at us like, “What?” Re: the bees, I feel like I’m seeing as many as usual, but the pond is a big attractor of them. They use the water in summer to cool their hive, or so I’ve read. —Pam
Congrats on the preorder of your book — beautiful cover. So you did bring home a caesalpina! It will be wonderful with the cannas. That orca pool float looks bigger than Cosmo 😉
That orca is bigger than all of us! It’s not much good for riding on though, as it tends to tilt on its side from top-heaviness whenever someone tries to ride it. Ah well, it’s cute anyway. Thanks re: the book—I’m excited! —Pam
Your stock tank ponds were an inspiration for me. I just got my second this year (not as big as yours). I’m in the process of shopping for my first house and can’t wait to get one of the big round tanks. Your garden is an inspiration.
I thrilled to hear it, Jeanne. I hope you find a house with a great yard just full of gardening potential. —Pam
It looks nice and cool in your yard. I bet it’s like my yard…hot and humid. But, the visuals help make us feel cooler. Love the blue.
We seem to have two regular hummers here. They fight with each other all day. I haven’t noticed if there are more or less bees. We have some large black ones here. I need to research and see what they are. Some honeybees around, though, too. And, more butterflies than in last year’s blast furnace.
Cosmo is a cutie. I bet you’re all enjoying him.
We are, Linda. He’s a sweetie pie. I see hummers in my garden too but am not sure if it’s more than one. I haven’t witnessed any fighting. —Pam
Beautiful place to relax.
You’ve certainly earned a few days off in your pleasant and restful garden.
Thanks, Shirley. Being submerged is good for thinking about cool-weather garden plans. —Pam
I really enjoyed your last 2 posts Pam, when it is so hot and I am dreaming of fall, it is really uplifting to see your garden looking so beautiful and thriving in this heat. I especially like your pond- I am dreaming of making a Pam Penick pond hopefully sooner rather than later. Your dog is so cute, congratulations on your newest family member!
Aw, thanks, Heather. You’ll love having a pond—you should make one. They’re such a pleasure in the summer—visually cooling just to look at, and you can watch dragonflies and fish, and maybe thirsty bees too. —Pam
Hi Pam, gorgous, all of it. I have a question about blooming agave. Can you prolong its life by chopping the stalk, or does that just hasten death? Curious.
Hi, Salma. Nope, you can’t keep an agave from dying by cutting off its bloom stalk. Once it starts to bloom, all you can do is stand back and be awed by the final display. I plan to have a New Orleans-style funeral party when my ‘Whale’s Tongue’ goes. —Pam
I love your garden. I love how every space you have is utilized. No silly lawn…
Thanks, Ruth! No lawn in the back garden, which I love, but I still have some out front, although I’m whittling away at it each season. —Pam
What a gorgeous pond. But does it not get too hot in the summer being metal? I was thinking it would get too hot here in NY state…and you live in Texas!
Nope, it doesn’t get too hot. It makes a great pond. —Pam
Nice illusions are such a great part of good design. You did it, since I know what it really feels like down there!!
Ha! Yes, the blues and water (pool, pond, and fountain) help a lot with the illusion of coolness. —Pam
Pam — Your garden has really come together since the days when you were trying to figure out how to incorporate that circular tank. I love the blues of the cushion and bottle tree. And is that a carpet underneath the table or tiles? Whatever, it nicely ties it all together without stealing the show.
Thanks, Linda. That’s an outdoor rug under the table—a Mad Mat rug, to be specific. They come in such great colors and patterns. —Pam
Your garden looks wonderful and your new pup is sweet. Fear not the blooming of the Agave. It’s transforming itself into hundreds of new plants–a wonderful thing, not to be regretted. 🙂
I like your sunny-side-up attitude, Hoov. Thanks for the reminder. —Pam
This is such a beautiful place, Pam! I love the cobalt blue touches and the agave–I wouldn’t be in a hurry to see it bloom, that is if it’s the kind that only blooms once. I hope you get to spend a lot of time here relaxing and enjoying the kids and cute Cosmo before life gets too busy again.
Thanks, Rose. I plan to! —Pam
Beautiful! Love the weeping Mexican bamboo. Is it a traveler like most bamboos?
No, it’s a clumping bamboo, Mary Beth. That’s the only kind I’ll grow. —Pam
It all looks so wonderfully inviting to settle down in the shade with the family and extended family. Is Cosmo behaving himself in the garden? Is he good at chasing off the armadillos? Not too much bone burying I hope, or don’t dogs do that anymore?
Cosmo is doing very well. He doesn’t dig, isn’t a big barker, and he doesn’t lie on my plants. A good dog! —Pam
Hey, Pam! I’m going into my first winter with a stock tank pond and wishing for more info on how to overwinter plants and fish. Think you might do a post on stock tank pond upkeep? Questions I have:
1) My water lilies have gone wild, with roots growing out of the pots. Should I divide now or wait until spring?
2) Same with dwarf papyrus and Louisiana water lilies.
3) I think I recall that the tank needs to be cleaned in the winter. How?
I’m sure I’m not the only one following your lead on the pond who would appreciate some technical advice.
Thanks for all the inspiration! – Vickie
Vickie, I’ve just written a post about winterizing the stock-tank pond to answer your questions. 🙂 —Pam