Choosing to be ‘green’ in the garden.
Being a responsible
earthling is high on my list but it’s not exactly much of a choice here when it
comes to gardening in Austin, TX.
This time of
year makes it crystal clear as to what will survive with zero crutching, what
will perish completely, and what takes a lot of extra work to keep alive during
our colder temps. As does the
scathing heat and drought on the opposite side of the year, which brings an
entirely different set of circumstances.
Both, still surprise and annoy me because it is so beautiful
and mild here when it is not elsewhere. I am SO inspired in the Spring and Fall
and love to explore in the nurseries—check out interesting varieties of succulents,
citrus trees, acacia, bamboo, eucalyptus, etc…There is always so much to want
to try when I’m living in our seasonal paradises.
Where do you lie on the spectrum of wanting to be very low
maintenance, hands off, uber responsible, and your desirability to garden the
beautiful array of bountiful plantings outside of these extremes? Agave and
rosemary vs lemon trees and vegetables gardens. You do have to decide how much
time and energy you will wish to trade off when your body and spirit are
demanding you to stay inside the toasty house or flee to the cold Springs for
some relief. And, whether or not
you choose to reach out of the reliable box and trade off time to protect
plants in times of distress or stick solely to plants that hold up on their
own, do so with poise and inspiration.
For the majority of your landscape, I definitely recommend planting
for our native wildlife. Plant to extend and support our natural resources.
Provide a connection within your natural footprint outside of your home with
our real surroundings in the Texas Hill Country, Blackland prairie, and beyond,
while channeling a creative vision. Texas style. Go native for the big pieces.
One way to explore beyond our given native palette is to
utilize non natives that do adapt here, and thrive---IF you really nurture
their limitations, like finding the perfect spot/ nook/ protection that will
give it just enough shade from sun or protection from cold. Like, near the
house with a buffer from the North wind can allow a spot for a collection of
potted succulents/ citrus trees to rest or a shoestring acacia to rise above.
Or, considering good morning sun, but breaks from afternoon scorching is an
especially sweet spot for those super interesting plants from other regions,
like grevillia, knifeleaf acacia, taller funky rush, and aloe galore.
Also, being inspired by other designer’s styles and works
outside of our geographic range is helpful . I love perusing Garden’s
Illustrated, which is NOT from around these parts. But, I can easily imagine
using our healthy beautiful species in a variety of ways and styles. To use our
really trustworthy, staple plantings in the most intentional and selective way
never gets tiring or boring to me. Planting one or 2 grasses en masse in a
contemporary way is so terribly pleasing to my eye. Utilizing the everblooming
blackfoot daisy to soften a hard edge always fills me up. These are just solid choices
from a grand palette, which can translate to any style and create a unique work
of your own or other’s inspired style.
To have a more expansive palette AND do less also feels
pretty right to me. I have forever
been in love with Piet Ouldolf and his use of perennial plantings—waves of
grasses, bountiful washes of colorful perennials combined in the most artful of
layers. Although, what is also so
sweet and desirable about his planting style is that they are designed to
utilize their given natural winter look as part of the year round experience.
This means not cutting back seed heads, spent blooms, etc, as nature intended
which actually contributes to the year round final product. Just letting the
landscape do it’s own gorgeous thing and not needing to lift a finger, for now
at least.
These are just a few thoughts on how to indulge beyond a generally recommended Central Texas plant list and style—not that there is anything wrong
with that.
But, it is so fun to embellish your green thumb, consciousness,
and inclinations from a broad and distant range that makes designing a garden a
well thought out pleasure and
truly inspired feat.
