Spring flowering in Jenny Stocker’s walled courtyard gardens
When I spotted this pool-garden view from inside the home of my friend Jenny Stocker, I nearly tripped over my feet to get outside and drink it in. Jenny, who blogs at Rock Rose, is the owner of an exquisite garden that she designed herself and maintains with the help of her husband, David. I was delighted for the chance to visit last weekend with other local garden bloggers.
Jenny’s irises stole the show for me. Their soft peach color matches the stucco walls and complements other flowering plants like columbine and white Lady Banks rose, cascading over the back wall.
And look how pretty they are with Texas bluebonnets.
But golden columbines and citrus-orange California poppies make a lovely combo too, especially accented with green and purple glass garden art.
The rose garden was just starting to bloom, and the circular theme of the beds and paver stones is evident to the eye.
Swagged across a garden gate, ‘Tangerine Beauty’ crossvine was ablaze with coral trumpets, enticing honeybees.
Like singing hot lips!
Outside the courtyard wall, bluebonnets have happily colonized in the gravel path along a retaining wall of limestone boulders.
In the front courtyard, a massive Lady Banks rose is the star, with arching canes covered in sparkling yellow blossoms. Bluebonnets, four-nerve daisies, and other dry-loving plants have seeded themselves in the gravel mulch along a dry stream.
The long view across the garden, with a small water feature and whale’s tongue agave in the left-foreground.
Outside the courtyard wall along the driveway, this simple but stunning palette of Agave weberi, Texas bluebonnet, and Mexican feathergrass makes a wonderful welcome — and reminds me of Garden of Contrast at Cornerstone Sonoma in California (click link and scroll to find pics).
My thanks to Jenny and David for the lovely visit! I’m thrilled that we’ll be sharing Jenny’s garden on the upcoming Garden Bloggers Fling tour too.
I welcome your comments; please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading this in a subscription email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post.
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Thanks Pam. It is always a lovely treat when someone writes about how much they enjoy visiting your garden. After all gardens are to share. Although the visitors in May won’t get to see Lady Banks and those iris along with the claret cup cactus blooming this morning and the current bluebonnet display, I’m sure I will have some surprises to share. At least there will be rocks! Thanks as always.
There will be far more than rocks! Your garden sings any time of year. —Pam
I love how everything is placed in this garden, and how focused it is on water conservation, as it should be in that mostly arid climate.
Almost every yard here in Houston is a boring stretch of green grass with a few shrubs or trees thrown in. Every weekend, you hear mowers and weed eaters all day long. Well, since most hire lawn services, that goes on throughout the week actually. And the front yards are usually larger than the back yard, or so it seems. I see most front yards as such a waste. Hardly anyone uses them. Never see people sitting or playing in front yards. Just something to get through to get to the house. I DO like the concept of a reasonably-sized front yard – it does set the house back away from street (auto) noise and dust.
But it would be so much more exciting to see some effort put into the front yards! Considering the overall cost of keeping a green lawn, for the same amount of money, if not cheaper, why not bring in gravel and landscaping rocks instead. Put in some well-placed agaves – they (or at least the native one) grow well here – as well as some tall grasses. Maybe a tree or so that doesn’t litter so much (something you won’t have to be constantly picking up the tree litter out of the gravel/rocks). Since it is so much wetter here, weeds growing in the gravel would probably be a steady maintenance. The gravel would also be good for quick drainage when Houston gets the gully-washers it frequently does!
I’m not saying get rid of ALL the front green grass lawns – the abundant greenness does rest the eye – just mix it up a bit!
Even if gravel is not well suited to Houston’s wetter climate, there are plenty of ways to create interest in a garden, and ditch the boring lawn. Maybe you’ll see some on the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Tour in Houston, which is coming up soon. —Pam
(cont’d)
As wet as Houston can be, it DOES go through periods of drought occasionally. It would be great to not have to worry about lawn grass die-off or stress, to not think about having to re-sod large areas of the lawn, etc. Lawns can have enough pests/diseases when it is well-taken care of! I realize a gravel/rock yard is not totally carefree, but I think they would be less stressful to have, especially in summer!
Those delicate peach Iris are incredible! What a beautiful start to early spring. Having heard periodic reports of nasty weather in Central Texas, I was concerned that your gardens might experience a set-back in advance of the May Fling. I’m glad to see that doesn’t appear to be the case!
Spring is in full throttle here, Kris. We were a little droughty until recently, but a nice, soaking rain has things back on track. —Pam
I have always wanted to see Jenny’s garden. Maybe next time.
I so wish you could come for the Fling, Lisa. —Pam
Can’t wait to see Jenny’s garden in May! it sure is beautiful now. Her designs are inspiring.
I know you will love it, Gail. —Pam
I love walled gardens. I want one, someday. You’re photos really do Jenny’s beautiful garden justice!
Thank you, Evan. Her garden is always a pleasure to photograph — and visit. —Pam
She has one of the most beautifully designed houses and gardens. I love every image i’ve ever seen of it. Amazing to see what she has blooming as we woke to 17 degrees this morning. Not going to get out of the thirties this week during the daytime. A frustratingly late spring.
Her garden really is stunning. I’m glad you enjoyed the pics and hope they distracted you from your crazy 17-degree weather! —Pam
I have followed Rock Rose for years, but really appreciate seeing your perspectives in her garden. It’s a stunning work of art and so amazing that she and David did it all themselves.
Yes, they are hard workers, and they have a great design sense. —Pam
Jenny and David’s garden is always an inspiration! For those of us who bemoan the rocky soil and semi-arid conditions we find in the Texas Hill Country, their garden is proof that hard work and planning can overcome most conditions. I am constantly amazed at how rich and varried their garden is, no matter the season! English cottage garden meets Texas xeriscape… just brilliant.
They’ve made a beautiful garden in challenging conditions, and I’m grateful they’re generous in sharing it with others. —Pam