Clematis ‘Jackmanii’ in full flower is like a constellation of purple stars.

While strolling through my mother’s north Austin garden between rain showers last week, I was bowled over by the display. This is the best I’ve ever seen her clematis bloom.

Adding more purple to the garden, as well as white, larkspur echoes the shape of a bottle tree “growing” by the fence. Last fall Mom scattered a packet of wildflower seeds in one of her raised beds, and these came up. Larkspur is a classic spring flower in Austin gardens and very easy to grow from seed.

Before the recent heavy rains, her ‘Radcon’ Pink Knock Out rosebush was a sight to behold, and even now it has a blowsy beauty.

Lola, Mom’s beloved Chihuahua, does her wriggle dance as we explore the garden.

Mom loves roses, white picket fences, and romantic gardens. She installed a short section of picket fencing between her garage and the front wall of her house, turning a plain-Jane front walk into a courtyard garden with privacy and a gate that keeps her dog from escaping into the street when she opens her front door. A rose-covered arbor makes a flowery and welcoming entrance.

It’s always fun to see what’s blooming in Mom’s garden, and I’m so grateful that she passed along her love of gardening to me. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

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Digging Deeper

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!

All material © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.