Late-winter mosey around the garden
The side garden — not the side with trash bins and potting bench but the far side, with a tree-hung chair half-hidden from the street — is a favorite destination of mine in winter. Tentacle-limbed live oaks gain even greater presence when the rest of the garden quiets down post-freeze. I like to sit in the hanging chair and look up.
Sturdy live oak trunks support the nearly evergreen canopy that shades my garden year-round.
Mediterranean fan palm, ‘Everillo’ sedge, and squid agave add texture and more evergreen color to the understory.
The squid agave is growing in a hollowed out limestone rock — like a sea urchin on coral!
Looking toward the gate and the beloved ‘Blue Ice’ Arizona cypress beyond
Out front, ‘Bright Edge’ yucca erupts from a steel-pipe planter — one of three that provide visual separation from the street.
The possumhaw, a deciduous native holly, is laden with bright red berries and awaiting a lunch date with mockingbirds or cedar waxwings.
Come and get it, boys.
‘Adagio’ miscanthus grass has gone tawny orange, its feathery plumes inviting fingers to trail through them. While it’s not native, it’s a survivor in this north-facing, under-eave location along a dry creek — a tricky spot, I’ve found.
In the back garden, ‘Little Grapes’ gomphrena has freeze-dried but still looks pretty. Masses of dried burgundy flowers hold on among the brown leaves.
And a pink abutilon continues to bloom, even after several nights in the 20s (I did cover it with a trash bin).
Even with the crazy cold snaps that we get in Texas nowadays, winter remains one of my favorite seasons in the garden. Beauty is still out there if you look.
I welcome your comments. Please scroll to the end of this post to leave one. If you’re reading in an email, click here to visit Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post. And hey, did someone forward this email to you, and you want to subscribe? Click here to get Digging delivered directly to your inbox!
__________________________
Digging Deeper
Attend the annual Budding Out Plant Sale & Festival on March 15th at the John Fairey Garden in Hempstead. Shop for rare plants from the garden’s nursery and select plant vendors. Local artists and artisans as well as food, drink, and demonstrations will also be featured. Admission: $5 for members, $10 for non-members, children under 12 free. Hours: 10 am to 4 pm; members get early admission at 9 am (memberships available on day of event).
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. Read all about the Season 8 lineup here!
All material © 2025 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
I’ve often thought about what it would be like to have green in my garden even in winter, not counting evergreens of course. I think I’d like it, but there’s also something to be said for having a long winter’s rest without gardening. You still have so much to see in winter! No wonder you love it.
And I can see the appeal of having a winter’s rest, Robin. Vive la difference!
Very restful and peaceful, Pam. That pink abutilon is so delightful, as is the squid agave nestled in the rock. Its a good time of year when you’re not pulled in six directions at once. Time to savor.
That time is rapidly coming to an end in Austin, as we’re entering the Big Cutback time of year. New growth is already coming up here and there.
The hollies were stripped here this winter. We had nearly a month of snow cover. Makes me appreciate the warm spell we are now experiencing. With the song s of a few birds in the garden this morning I know I am not the only one enjoying this break in winter.
Seeing your lovely lush garden makes me want to go strolling about in my winter worn garden.
Enjoy your garden stroll, Lisa! It’s good to get out there, even in a colder climate like yours, I bet.
Some choice photos here, Pam. Looking up at the live oak is stunning.
I love ‘Blue Ice’ Arizona cypress too. You are fortunate to have room to grow this spectacular specimen.
I kind of shoehorned it in – ha! But I made it work by pruning up the lower limbs as it grew.
Would you be willing to trade some of your Little Grapes Gomphrena seeds? I could read you some trade options over the phone. My seed collection is about 240 so we could probably find something you’d like.
Oh Gaye, I would have been happy to, but I cut that plant to the ground two days ago. It was time to start the slow process of cutting back my garden for spring, and I didn’t even think to save seeds from it. I’m sorry!
Next year perhaps…
If you are looking for a certain seed, lmk, I might have it.
Very kind of you – thanks!
The dried up gomphrena is fabulous — loved your tour.
Thanks, Diane!
Hi from Singapore. Came across your blog while searching for name of flower. Thank you.
Welcome, Li! 🙂