July 3, 2025
After a recent browsing in my first light book, I checked out the patio garden next to the Bureau des Post. Both First Light and Bureau de Poste are part of a fascinating rethink of the former post office in Austin’s Hyde Park area in 2023. Only all the redevelopments are so fascinating!
I haven’t eaten at the Bureau de Poste yet, but it’s now on my must-see list. Meanwhile, you’re walking around the charming patio surrounded by beautiful container plantings.
The long steel planter overflows with dwarf palmetto, red yucca, gaura, trailing rosemary and purple heart. wonderful!
Palmetto, Purple Heart, Gaura
Red Yucca Fish Hook Flower Spikes add movement and color and also attract hummingbirds.
The murals promote bistros and small grocery stores, a specialized market with attractive food and gifts.
Trees and shaded sails protect the bistro’s outdoor tables from the Texas sun. I think it’s comfortable at night under the string lights. A substantial steel planter provides enclosure and safety while keeping things green.
Can you believe this was once a utilitarian loading dock for an old post office?
Next to me was a mural that looked like Van Gogh caught my eye. This is the old Blue Moon Glassworks building.
Murals, or walls of any color, create an attractive selfie background. I’m sure I’d soon returned to Hyde Park for another book.
I welcome your comments. Please scroll to the end of this post. If you’re reading via email, click here to dig out and find a comment box at the end of each post. Hey, has someone forwarded this email to you and do you want to subscribe? Click here to get digged straight to your inbox!
_____
Dig deeper
My new book, Gardens in Texas: A vision of resilience from Lone Star State, is coming on October 14th! You can now pre-order on Amazon and other online book sellers. If you think you’d read it or want to give it as a holiday gift, consider pre-ordering. (I’m glad I signed a pre-order copy at my book event!) Early ordering makes a huge difference in helping new books get attention. For more information about Texas Gardens, click here – Thank you for your support.
Come and see me on the tour! I will be talking about book events in Texas this fall and next spring, and celebrating the release of Texas Gardens. Join me, learn, inspire, and say hello!
Learn about gardening and design at Garden Sparks! I organize face-to-face talks 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.
