February 11, 2025
The exposed limestone slab in the garden below is one of the most notable features of my garden. New visitors often ask me if I brought them. After all, moving limestone rocks is a big part of the landscape design here. We love limestone in central Texas. It’s a good thing because there are a lot.
But no, when we moved, this limestone was here. My guess is that the rocks were exposed when the previous owner set up the pool and reclaimed the backyard. Or it was always exposed and they avoided it. I like exposed slabs, and I try to keep my purple heart and widow’s tears from engulfing it. It reminds me of the deep times of central Texas when everything was under shallow waters. We are blips in history.
I think this concept is comforting.
Like a sea creature with tentacles, spider wart leaves spread out through deep gaps in the stone. Texas mercy sown in a crack long ago will stubbornly grow just how much soil you know. A harsh plant.
Winter is when my leaf plants truly shine in all of silvery green or silvery blue glory, like the agave on the tongue of a whale, yucca beak, “blue ice” Arizona Cypress. Iron bottle shrub adds more blue.
The soapalos looks good near this relatively mild winter’s end. Their spotted arms with orange teeth are beautiful all year round.
If you are in doubt, attach agave or yucca to the container. That’s my philosophy. They add structures, add winter interest, and require little watering.
If appropriate, this squid is familiar with grooved pots. Squid Ligave has proven to be winter sturdy, summer sturdy, shade sturdy, sun sturdy, deer sturdy and rabbit sturdy. Wherever you place one of these babies, it plays. Meanwhile, the bamboo in “Alphonse Karr” behind it is on the verge of trial. It hates our recent cold winters and requires a lot of trimming. Certainly, it helps to shade the patio from the afternoon sun, but man, I wish I had thought about something else for the place.
Two small ceramic birds perch in a warm purple Oshris pot in winter. It will be backed up immediately.
Despite the overnight lows for the 20s in late December, the giant leopard plants still look fresh and green.
Their round, vein-like shiny leaves give the atmosphere of a snail shell.
Passing past the squid again I found someone hiding in the inner leaves.
i see you
Hello, Anor.
This squid is the queen of the garden, where light outlines her tentacle arms on a sunny afternoon. This place nodded to the underwater world.
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Join us at the annual budding plant sale & festival held at John Fairy Garden in Hempstead on March 15th. Shop rare plants from the garden nursery and choose a plant vendor. Local artists and artisans, food, drinks and demonstrations will also be featured. Admission: $5 for members, $10 for non-members, free for children under 12 years old. Opening hours: 10am to 4pm. Members will earn early entry at 9am (membership on the day of the event).
Learn about gardening and design at Garden Sparks! I organize in-person lectures in Austin several times a year, inspire designers, landscape architects, authors and gardeners to inspire and inspire designers, landscape architects. These are events with limited attendance that sold out quickly, so join our Garden Spark Mealment List and notify us in advance. Simply click on this link and ask them to add it. Find out all about the Season 8 lineup here!
All Materials ©2025 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
