shades of green

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.