Inside Austin Gardens Tour 2014 - May 3rd!

Austin bloggers were invited for a sneak peek of the annual Inside Austin Gardens Tour last week.  There's not much better than a beautiful spring day, friends, and inspirational gardens!

Sadly, my photographs didn't turn out.  I'm learning a new camera and had a setting out of whack.  No worries though, my touring companions had their cameras in fine tune.

From left to right there is Jenny of Rock Rose, Katina of Gardening in Austin, Caroline of The Shovel-Ready Garden, Robin of Getting Grounded, myself, Lori of The Gardener of Good and Evil (her garden is on tour!), Renee of Renee's New Blog, Vicki of Playin' Outside, Ally of Garden Ally, Pam of Digging, Linda of Patchwork Garden, Bonnie of Kiss of Sun, Suzie of Viva Verde, Diana of Sharing Nature's Garden and Laura of Wills Family Acres.

Aren't we a lively band of gardeners?  These ladies are so much fun and honestly, I never dreamed that blogging would bring me so much friendship.

For those of you close by, we are experiencing true Chamber of Commerce weather in Austin so grab your keys and camera and get out there.  Click through for all the details.  These gardens are true gardener's gardens.  Their passion, skill and determination is evident and you'll walk away with tons of ideas and knowledge. 

What do Rebar, Shadows and Garden Tours Have in Common?

I enjoyed the company of fellow bloggers Pam, Shirley and David last Saturday while strolling several Austin gardens.  Gardens on Tour 2013, sponsored by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, offered a glimpse into an eclectic mix of gardens featuring native and adapted plants.    

While sifting through the photos, these three captured my imagination with their form and light play.  This rebar awning at 2001 Westridge Drive was fantastic.  Just shows how much hardscape can play a vital role in design.

I'm sorry to say I still haven't regained my blogging mojo so please visit my friend's posts (just click on their names) to get a detailed description of the gardens.  You'll find tons of gardening inspiration and a variety of styles showcasing the many beautiful plants that call Austin home.

Inside Austin Gardens Tour: Get Your Inspiration!

It's often said that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery and I promise you, if you venture out to the Inside Austin Gardens Tour you'll find tons of inspiration and ideas galore worth imitation.

The 2012 Inside Austin Gardens Tour, hosted by the Travis County Master Gardeners takes place on Saturday, October 20th, from 9am-4pm.  In addition to seven beautiful gardens to explore, there will be educational presentations and plant and book sales.

These gardens have so much to offer.  If you live close enough to visit Austin next weekend, I really encourage you to take the tour.  Each garden has its own unique story and personality.  I walked away from the experience with zillions, seriously, zillions of new ideas for my own garden. {Sorry, DJ ♥}  Some are easy to implement, others will have to be on the five year plan!

The "white" garden in Renee Studebaker's charming cottage garden. 

Looking for path ideas?  There are numerous designs and materials to contemplate.  A couple that I really liked:

Concrete slabs artfully arranged in the Donnis Doyle garden.

 A nice mix of materials is used for unique pavers in the Ann and Robin Matthews' garden.

The theme of this year's tour is Edibles in the Garden.  This is an idea that is attractive and practical.

A fairly easy way to add decorative, raised vegetable beds to the garden.  Soil filled stock tanks allow 

for easy gathering of vegetables in David and Jennifer Phillips' garden.

Several plants caught my attention and have been added to my "gotta have" list:

 Malabar spinach growing in the Phillips' garden.  It. Is. Gorgeous.

Salvia mexicana in Carolyn and Michael Williams' garden.  Anyone familiar with this cultivar?
The pale, lavender flowers are so unique and unexpected compared to the
commonly grown bright purple of 'Limelight'.

 The sunshine yellow flowers of butterfly vine spill over a weathered gate in the Phillips' garden.

Close up of butterfly vine going to seed.  These are as enchanting as the floral display.

Many of us desire to have beautiful rock work in our gardens.  This recirculating stream in the Hill Country garden of the Phillips got me thinking about how I could implement something similar in my backyard where we have water rushing through after heavy rains.  

I love how the plants play along the edge of the stone work giving a very natural appearance.

A simple display of rock using a variety of materials to enhance a few xeric plants in the Phillips' garden.

And every garden needs whimsy and these gardens are abundantly whimsical!

 

A sweet tribute of love to his wife... Ask Carolyn Williams about the story behind

 this tender demonstration of affection.

The Donnis Doyle garden is one of the most whimsical I've ever toured...colorful furnishings, handmade stars and hearts adorn the eaves and walls, unique bottle trees and screening ideas...the whimsy goes on and on.  Really.  Go visit!

I adore everything about this little vignette in Renee Studebaker's garden.  The stacked stones
rest close by three dainty, weathered chairs entwined with vines and foliage at the edge
 of her white garden pictured at the top of the post.  Simple and beautiful.

This rustic arrangement of dried artichokes and juniper in the Phillips' garden is captivating. The juniper is simply adorned with the artichokes and malabar spinach grows at it's base.

I said at the top of the post that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.  Well, let me just say that Renee Studebaker can make some mean ratatouille from garden fresh ingredients and I could hardly wait to get home and make it myself! 

I made this yesterday and between myself, my girlfriend and my husband, we ate the ENTIRE pan.  It's that good.  She will be giving a presentation on appetizers prepared from garden fare during the tour.  Go.

There is so much more I could tell you.  I haven't even touched on the wealth of information about rainwater harvesting to be discovered.  Really.  You should just go ☺

Two Quick Years & The Best Photo of Summer

Two quick years ago I wrote my first blog post admitting to you that lurking just wasn't enough anymore.   Two hundred eighty posts later I'm completely humbled and thrilled that you find The Whimsical Gardener a place worthy of your time and energy.  Thank you for allowing me the honor of sharing my small garden adventures and observations with you.

You've made this endeavor one of great joy and I'm sincerely grateful for your continued presence here.  It's my hope that you will always find plentiful inspiration and creativity when visiting and that we will continue to grow together as better gardeners and stewards of our little corners of this vast world.

As it was two years ago at this time, we are on the cusp of another school year.   After scrolling through some summer photos it doesn't escape me that the best shot of summer was captured by my son.  

Taken with his phone, he captured the true essence of summer's freedom and joy.   Look closely...this shot will draw you in.  As is so often the case there is more there than first meets the eye. 


Enjoy...

John Dromgoole of The Natural Gardener in the Garden!

Me. Oh. My.  What a great start to the Memorial Day weekend!

John Dromgoole, Austin's very own, nationally recognized, organic gardening guru and his delightful assistant, Merry came by my little garden today.  Along with them was Todd of  KXAN news to do the filming for a short spot on The Weekend Gardener.  These folks were about as nice as anyone could be and it was my pleasure to chat with them for a few minutes about how we've created a garden where family, friends and wildlife harmonize.

John, Todd and Merry   

John and the gardener

 
The Weekend Gardener visits The Whimsical Gardener

The Weekend Gardener airs Saturday mornings on Austin's KXAN.   Our segment airs tomorrow morning between 7:00-7:30 am.  Oh me, oh my!

Happy Memorial Day!

Serendipity, Impulse and Joy

ser·en·dip·i·ty   [ser-uhn-dip-i-tee]    

noun

1. an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident

2. good fortune; luck

  

This sweet, little, completely unexpected volunteer sunflower reaches valiantly for the dappled sunlight as it lives amongst the foliage of Turk's cap and a sticker vine.  A beacon of bright yellow in a sea of shady green!

 

im-pulse   [im-puhls]

noun

1.  the influence of a particular feeling

2.  sudden, involuntary inclination prompting to action

3. a psychic drive or instinctual urge

adjective 

4. marked by or acting on impulse

5. bought or acquired on impulse 

 

 

While walking around Zilkerfest, (a local spring festival for all things gardening) I spotted a booth with beautiful glass twinkling in the sunshine.  Then I noticed this specific piece and immediately knew it would have a home in my garden.  The Canyon Lake artist uses found driftwood along with wine and liquor bottles to create the sculptures.  I love how it constantly changes as it catches the shifting light throughout the day.  

I'm seeing a trend here in re-purposed, organic art in the garden!  The new sculpture complements the carved coffee root nicely.

 

 

Another impulse buy at Zilkerfest, this datura seems happy in its new space.  It has plenty of room to spread and afternoon shade.  The flowers are short-lived but gorgeous!  All parts of this plant are poisonous and it is easily grown from seed so I'll be collecting them to keep it in check.  I've seen this in other gardens with white blooms and loved it.  In purple, it stole my heart.  

 

This plant is sometimes confused with Brugmansia.  The blooms of datura are upright and the fruit usually spiny whereas the Brugmansia's flower hangs on the branch and the fruit is spineless. 

Joy    [joi]

noun

1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying

2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight

Although not completely joyous about the photograph, the subject makes me giddy!  Do you see the monarch on the milkweed?  Look closely at the center of the shot...there she is.  I watched her for a few minutes as she flitted about the plant and I'm ever hopeful that she was depositing eggs.  She attached herself to the underside of leaves a couple of times before sipping the nectar.  Please, please, please let there be caterpillars!

I just love a garden - there is always so much to discover!  What are your discoveries of late?  Any impulses, serendipitous moments or joyful sightings?  Ah, that's a silly question; I know you have them all!

 

 

 

 

 

Word for 2012 ~ Stretch

Resolutions rarely work for me...but a single word can influence the direction my new year goals take.  Last year's word, espy, helped me to stay focused on discovering and appreciating the small, subtle details of my life.

2012 finds me feeling as though I need to stretch my boundaries...

Stretch myself beyond my comfort zone...reaching for a little more than I typically would...stretch my gardening self with the continuation of my Master Gardener training/internship and seeing my garden with fresh eyes and being willing to think outside our suburban square box of yard.  Stretch my physical self with plenty of gardening projects and yoga...stretch my creative self with innovative gardening ideas [pinterest is a great place to get inspired], photography challenges and courses, mosaic building and blogging.  

{Are you seeing the trend...how gardening weaves itself into every category!}

Like the beautiful hi-rise buildings of Austin reaching skyward or the taught, barbed-wire stretched

between rusty stakes, I want to STRETCH - mind, body and creative soul!

How about you?  What are you being called to this New Year?

A Different Perspective

It's interesting to see places you're very familiar with in a different way...especially through the eyes of friends and family visiting during the holidays.  Places you sometimes take for granted suddenly have shiny, new appeal.  You're reminded that you live near a sweet jewel, an oasis, in the middle of Texas.

Perched high above Lake Travis, multiple decks allow for expansive views of the lake.  People flock to The Oasis to watch the sun slip quietly behind the hills while sipping frosty margaritas and eating spicy nachos. 

Usually a visitor here in summer, it never occurred to me how much the view would change during the winter months.  In the summertime the sun sets directly in front of the decks but during the winter it sets off to the left directly over Mansfield Dam leaving Sometimes Island and Marshall Ford Marina in beautiful shadow. 

The lake is currently 45% full.  Sometimes Island is typically referred to as Sometimes Island(s) which pop up as the water level recedes.  It's rare to see the islands as an island let alone as a peninsula but right now you can walk from Mansfield Dam park onto the island.  A very unusual perspective seen in the second photo.  

Marshall Ford Marina is usually tucked back into the cove and isn't visible from the main basin of the lake.  The owners have been able to shift some of the docks as the water level has receded.  It is one of the only marinas with access to the water.  Many boat owners have been unable to get to their boats for months. 

Interesting how something you think you know so well can surprise you...Winter solstice perspective: welcome.  Drought perspective: trying to find the beauty in you...but honestly, ready for normal any time now!

And, The Winner Is...

Congratulations, Optimista!  You were selected in a random drawing as the winner of the Austin Independent Nurseries Giveaway~It's About Thyme gift certificate!  Please contact me with your full name at AustinWhimsicalGardener@gmail.com.  You must pick up your gift certificate within two weeks.  

A BIG thank you to It's About Thyme for participating in this giveaway!  You ROCK!

Austin Nurseries Giveaway! ~ It's About Thyme

My friend, Pam is the brainchild of Support Your Independent Nursery Month here in Austin, Texas.  She has encouraged local bloggers to highlight independent nurseries each Wednesday during the month of October.  Our local nurseries have felt the pinch of the extreme drought conditions and ailing economy and as a result could use a little extra love.

As passionate gardeners, I know I don't need to twist your arms to get you out there shopping the local nurseries, especially now that fall has arrived in earnest.  There are perennials, herbs and vegetables to be planted, compost or mulch to be added or maybe you have eyes for some new garden whimsy.   Oh, and don't forget those gift opportunities for your gardening friends.

Here is the really cool part:  you're invited to win gift certificates from each of the nurseries involved in the Austin Nurseries Giveaway!  Yeah, that's right, they're sharing the love right back!  Wait until you see the prizes!

Digging:  $100 gift certificate and a Fall Power Package (valued at $50) from Barton Springs Nursery
J Peterson Garden Design:  $50 gift certificate from The Great Outdoors
Go Away, I'm Gardening:  $100 gift certificate from Sunshine Landscape & Garden Center
Rock Rose:  $50 gift certificate from Shoal Creek Nursery
Sharing Nature's Garden:  $50 gift certificate from Emerald Garden
Great Stems:  $50 gift certificate from Hill Country Water Gardens & Nursery
The Whimsical Gardener:  $25 gift certificate from It's About Thyme
Growing Optimism $25 gift certificate from Natural Gardener

If you're looking for some of that famous South Austin, laid-back vibe It's About Thyme is the place.  You'll find knowledgeable staff, plenty of trees, perennials and annuals, ceramic pots and lots of whimsy.  There is even a $5 off coupon you can print from their website.  They are definitely doing their part to keep Austin weird and growing!

Their specialty though is vegetables and herbs grown in their five huge greenhouses.  Many of them you won't find anywhere else.   While visiting I saw curry plants, ghost peppers, which came with warning labels because they're so hot, and "salsa bowls" with everything growing in one pot that you'd need to whip up fresh salsa.

Bijou, an African Gray parrot, who resides at It's About Thyme with dozens of other rescued birds was discovered at the bottom of his cage in a burning home and given "birdie CPR" by his rescuer.  Bijou's keen intelligence and inquisitive, kind nature draw you in for a visit.  Stop by and give him a few minutes of your time...you won't be sorry, he's a sweetheart.

Cat, how do I get to be a part of this great giveaway, you ask?  It's easy:

1. Leave a comment on this post to enter the It's About Thyme giveaway.
2. Each participating blog will hold its own random drawing, so leave a comment on each blog to enter all the giveaways.
3. Only one comment per person per giveaway.
4. Participating bloggers and their families are ineligible to win.
5. Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on October 26, 2011.
6. Winners will be announced on each blog on October 27, 2011.
7. Winners must go to the nursery with a photo ID and pick up their prize in person within two weeks of winning.  Prizes will not be mailed.

That's it!  How easy could that be?  Don't be shy, go ahead, leave a comment and enter yourself in the drawing to win a $25 gift certificate to It's About Thyme.  Then visit the seven other Austin bloggers (links above) and leave a comment there too. 

Let's all do our part to keep Austin growing!  Good luck!