A plant playground at the Risdahl-Pittman Garden
The Risdahl-Pittmans describe their garden as an eclectic plant playground. It’s a beautifully designed space with winding paths and a pond.… Read More
Paxson Hill garden still gorgeous in the rain
Paxson Hill Farm’s extensive gardens beckon with lush plantings, an Asian-inspired pond garden, and a secret hideaway.… Read More
Stoneleigh native-plant estate garden and Flingers
Stoneleigh, a new public garden of native plants in Villanova, PA, is a park-like arboretum around a Tudor Revival mansion.… Read More
Pond critters at Houston Arboretum
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is an urban oasis for wildlife, native plants, and people who enjoy nature strolls and birding.… Read More
Foliage-rich pond garden: Kuster Garden at Madison Fling
Tom Kuster has amassed 600 varieties of plants in his garden. The avid plant collector has also created a pleasingly rich tapestry of foliage.… Read More
Every passage is a destination at Chanticleer
Creative, romantic Chanticleer Garden makes each step, each path, a place of discovery and delight. It is stunning in every way.… Read More
Garden path wonderland at Paxson Hill Farm, part 3
Paxson Hill Farm’s beautiful and imaginative gardens were a highlight of my Pennsylvania road trip last October. Here’s Part 3 of my tour.… Read More
Cowboy pool, colorful outdoor living: Lorie and Michael Kinler’s Fort Worth Garden
A magical junglescape of skyscraping bamboo and lush foliage greets you in the contemporary, colorful garden of Lorie and Michael Kinler.… Read More
Getting rid of a good thing: Saying goodbye to the stock-tank pond
I’m consciously unponding*, and people are freaking out — friends, family members, attendees at a recent Garden Spark talk, and even our young exchange student.… Read More
Beneficial insects love a stock-tank pond too
A small water garden helps me endure a Texas summer that stretches well into October. The plinking and burbling of water, jewel-bright and pastel water lilies, and lush green lily pads all make the glaring Death Star (the Texas sun) less oppressive.… Read More
Garden Spark 2018 season concludes; 2019 season TBA soon!
October 22, 2018 Hey, garden friends! My 2018 season of Garden Spark talks concluded last Thursday with a terrific talk by designer/author Susan Morrison about small-garden design. Thanks to everyone who braved waterlogged Austin’s wet streets to attend! After Susan’s … Read More
Topiary meadow and sunken pond garden at Great Dixter, part 2
August 14, 2018 In part 1 of my recap of my tour of Great Dixter in England earlier this summer, I confessed that I didn’t like the overplanted, claustrophobic feeling of the Peacock Garden and surrounding hedged gardens. But I … Read More
Waterlilies and roses at Monet’s garden in Giverny
July 01, 2018 Having admired his waterlily series at the Musée de l’Orangerie, we decided to visit French impressionist Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny while vacationing in Paris last month. Braving Paris traffic, we rented a car one Sunday morning … Read More
Waterwise drama in Lakemoore Drive Garden: Austin Open Days Tour 2017
November 20, 2017 Continuing my coverage of the November 4th Open Days tour, today I give you the Lakemoore Drive Garden. Regular readers may recognize this garden as one I blogged about, rapturously, in 2013. The outer garden, a sun-loving … Read More