A visit to Chanticleer: Hydrangeas & House Garden
I’m sure something shines brightly every month that Chanticleer is open (April through October). But I felt fortunate to see the hydrangeas in full bloom since I rarely see one in Austin.
I can never decide whether I prefer the pink or the blue.
The lacecaps are gorgeous too.
Circling this raked gravel court, hydrangeas in a rainbow of hues brighten the shady beds of the House Garden.
The house is impressive too.
Isn’t it fun how the chairs are painted to complement the hydrangea display?
I think I prefer the blue.
A blue lacecap
Following the path along the side of the house you are given an expansive view across part of the estate.
We sat on the terrace for a while, drinking in these views.
The path continues around to the back of the house, where a rill, long pool, and wall fountain lengthen and focus the view.
An eggplant- and toffee-colored feast for the eyes occupies this parterre.
I liked this contrast of textures: feathery versus sharp and pointy.
Another wonderful foliage combination
The other part of this garden glowed with a semblance of sunshine. Yellow lilies and variegated and golden foliage plants harmonize like butter and eggs.
Follow the path with me tomorrow for pics from the Asian Woods and Stream Garden. Click here for images of the Teacup and Tennis Court Gardens.
All material © 2006-2008 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Soooooo beautiful – I would like to tour that garden some day. The hydrangeas are spectacular, and I do so appreciate your other photos, too. What a lovely place, and your photos sure did it justice. Thank you!
My pleasure, Kim! —Pam
This place is a wonder. I just love those raked gardens. I know if I had one it would drive me crazy. The dog would make it her favorite place to recline no doubt. I just love the chartreuse and black urns in the garden. The foliage combos are eye catching too.
Yep, a raked garden just wouldn’t work with a dog, would it? Or kids, I expect. —Pam
Oh Pam, although hard to outdo the teacups and tennis court, this hydrangea and foliage study is superb. There is so much to learn from the use of the evergreens and shrubs maturing so beautifully together, well spaced and enhancing one another. The pot with the gold ivy and hakonechloa grass is pure zen. I love the blue lacecaps, but don’t they look great mixed up together in that mass planting by the house? Perfect foil for the lovely architecture, simple so as not to detract from the building. You make me want to go right now. Can’t wait to see what else you’ve got.
Thanks for your thoughtful analysis, Frances. I’d love to tour a garden with you someday and hear your thoughts about it. I know we did at Spring Fling, but that was different. 🙂 I can’t wait to show the other photos I took. I’ll go work on that post now. —Pam
I think I like the blue hydrangeas best–but the pink are pretty too! There is so much to see–did you say you were there all day? Can’t wait to see the other pictures!
Linda, we were there only half the day, but I could have spent all day there. —Pam
Pam, one of my goals in life is to visit Chanticleer. I will someday. How did you get the kids to go for that one? Did dad take them somewhere else like my hubby did for my visit to Elizabeth Lawrence’s garden?
I love lacecaps, but haven’t been able to grow them here so far. Hydrangeas, other than ‘Annabelle’ don’t really like it here. Too hot like Austin.
Those chairs!! I wonder how they stenciled those with the shaded paints.
Just lovely as always.~~Dee
The kids were grumbling about the garden visit until they saw the place, and then there was no holding them back. They loved exploring the paths on their own, and I did feel lucky that they’re old enough to do that. It gave my DH and me time alone for a romantic stroll. 😉 The chairs were hand-painted rather than stencilled. If you go to their website, you’ll see a picture of their resident artist painting the chairs. —Pam
Oh wow… I LOVE the toffee and burgundy garden! (With those brown grasses that you promised to show, thank you.) But I also love what I think is melianthus above some kind of euphorbia, in that foliage picture below the toffee and burgundy scheme. And the golden garden, especially with the ivy climbing up the clay olive jar, is stunning.
I really have to go to Chantincleer someday…
I knew you’d love that pairing of chocolate cannas and toffee carex, Kim. There were so many fabulous combos I couldn’t even show them all. —Pam
Hydrangea envy is settling on me! What a lovely garden and your eye for detail is fabulous! Gail
I’m resigned to life without hydrangeas, but I really loved seeing a garden full of them. —Pam
I’m not sure which I like best — the lacecaps or those extraordinary blue chairs! Wow. Thanks for sharing your visit with us. 🙂
There were so many examples of unique, handcrafted chairs and benches, all painted or designed to match the plants by which they were placed. It was masterful. —Pam
What beautiful hydrangeas! What I wouldn’t give to grow the lacecaps here. I’m happy with my Annabelle and may try another hardy one or two next year.
Beautiful photos.
Marnie
Thanks, Marnie. Count yourself lucky with your Annabelles. —Pam
Wow, Pam! What a spectacular place! I just realized that one of the reasons I like plumbago so much here is because if I squint, they almost resemble blue hydrangeas, my favorite.
Ha! Perhaps so—with a LOT of squinting. 😉 —Pam
Just lovely photos of a beautiful garden. Thanks for sharing them!
You are very welcome, Sheila. Thanks for visiting. —Pam
I’ve been hearing about this garden for years but this is the first time I’ve seen some really good photos of it. Thanks for sharing Pam!
You flatter me, Phillip. But I’m glad you’re enjoying the tour. More tomorrow! —Pam
You are making us all want to go to this lovely garden, Pam. Those hydrangeas look great, I’ve got several in my garden that are pink, hot pink. They can sure wilt on a hot afternoon, but when at their peak, they are some of the prettiest flowers in a garden.
That’s the idea, Carol. It’s like reading a good book—afterward, you want your friends to read it too. How I envy you your blousy pink hydrangeas! —Pam
I like the blue the best too. Impressive is an understatement for this place. It is spectacular!
Aiyana
Yes, it is. Thanks for coming along on the tour. —Pam
thank you for sharing your pictures! I hope that I can go there one day! You are doing a fabulous job showing up around Chanticleer!
Thank you for coming along, Melissa! —Pam
I’m new to your blog and just blown away by your photos – they are stunning. I really love the wooden chairs with the green grasses and blue hydrangea.
Why, thanks, JGH! That’s very kind of you to say. I hope you’ll visit again soon. —Pam