Garden Conservancy Open Days Archives | Diana's Designs Austin

Cottage garden entwined with beautiful edibles highlight of Houston trip

We saw lots of interesting, beautiful and creative gardens when my friend, Pam, of Digging, and I visited Houston for the Garden Conservancy’s Open Day Tour two weeks ago.

My very favorite — a cacophony of color, texture and layers so entwined that taking it all in was a project in and of itself. But a delightful one, not to be missed.

It wasn’t on the tour; it was recommended by Pam’s sister. We had high expectations for the house at 605 Peddie Street, and we weren’t disappointed. The owner, landscape consultant, Terry Gordon Smith, was hand watering the garden with a hose when he found us oohing and ahhing over his creation. He was very welcoming and proud of his garden and we enjoyed learning about the garden’s evolution and the weather and conditions in his Houston garden.

No lawn in sight, this garden is filled with evergreens, perennials, annuals, fruits, vegetables and herbs.

The bottle brush trees were pruned very high, making a dramatic statement towering over all the other plants.

Up close and personal – I almost can’t count how many plants are encapsulated in this close-up photo.

With so many plants filling the garden, the view from every angle is unique.

The delphiniums were gorgeous. I love blue in the garden and there just aren’t that many good choices for us to incorporate it into our gardens. I’ve had delphiniums, but the deer thought they were tasty!

Even the edibles make beautiful examples of perfect color combinations.

Tight shots like this make the veggies look like abstract art.

Pam’s working on some of those close ups, too.

Love the color combo of the delphiniums against the brightly colored house.

This was a delightful garden and, like the garden at 1514 Banks that I posted about, helped to give us a broader perspective of Houston gardens than just those one the tour. Our weekend was totally garden-licious. More to come soon about another cool destination nursery and restaurant combo.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:08-06:00April 13th, 2014|annuals, Blog, Bottle Brush tree, color, cottage garden, delphinium, edibles, Garden Conservancy Open Days, garden tour 2014, Houston Garden tour 2014, Peddie Street, Sharing Nature's Garden, spring, spring bloomers, vegetable garden, vines|0 Comments

Houston tour reveals hidden ‘secret garden’ treasures…around every corner

Overflowing with gorgeous azalea blooms in full splendor, this garden was a stand out on the Garden Conservancy’s Houston Open Days tour last weekend.

The entrance to this estate was very subdued and formal. My expectations were set as we walked across the boxwood-lined circular entrance.

I was amused to see another tour visitor peering into the windows of the house. It’s something we’ve all thought about doing at one point or another, but I’ve never actually seen anyone pressed up against the door, fogging up the glass!

Across the gravel, an iron gate beckons with a hint of the blooms to come.

Wow. What a sight.

And then the safari begins. As we wandered through the paths lining the garden, we happened upon the owners’ collection of wild animal statuary.

This sweet little elephant perched atop the pond is adorable.

This little horse is grazing along the stone pathway.

Hungry, hungry hippo – trying to eat the plants!

My traveling buddy, Pam, of Digging, trying to get a closer shot of the garden bear.

These little chimps love romping around in the monkey grass.

And this ape is tucked under the fort, hiding from visitors. I think he’s shy.

He’s just around the corner from Pam, poor, unsuspecting thing.

And then there’s this guy…

Beyond the safari garden and up the hill, these lovely chairs and gazebo look out over the expanse of lawn, the house and the amazing pool.

This enormous fountain takes you aback when you first see it in the garden. But after touring through the animal garden, he seems like an old friend as you emerge from the secret garden path.

I can almost hear the sounds of gleeful children swimming under the fountain stream, imagining themselves on safari near a lake with elephants.
On the other side of the pool, this open space provides an area for the kids to play basketball and drive around.

This lovely little side garden even reveals another surprise.

Another baby elephant.

Dueling cameras.

And then back to the everall aesthetic of the estate – formal and regal – with unusual surprises designed throughout the back. As I was walking through the paths with animal statues, I also noticed the path and up lighting and imagined how fun it must be there for kids at night, running through the garden jungle with their animal kingdom friends.

This was truly a treat to see.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:39:26-05:00April 5th, 2014|azaleas, Blog, garden art, Garden Conservancy Open Days, garden statues, garden tour, garden tour 2014, Houston, Sharing Nature's Garden|0 Comments

Hues of green evoke serenity in Austin garden on Open Days tour

The Yvonne Tocquigny and Tom Fornoff garden, featured on this weekend’s Garden Conservancy’s Open Days Tour, evokes a sense of serenity as you stroll through its simple combinations of grasses, vines and water features.

Simple yet strategic views draw you into the garden with a series of gates, paths and courtyards.

The beautiful gray-green hues of Dichondra, Silver Ponyfoot, create a gentle contrast for the other lime and grass-greens of the garden.

The entry courtyard includes this simple, Zen-like water feature, surrounded by strappy crinum leaves and fine gravel.

The garden was full of berkley sedge – providing a caress of beautiful texture throughout the vignettes.

More contrasts with the berkley sedge – younger, smaller plants, and the silver ponyfoot.

The garden is also full of a variety of trellises – like this metal and wood one, set out 8-10 inches from the wall. It supports the rosebush, but it’s also an artistic focal point on its own.

Beautiful lanterns were mounted right onto the wood and metal trellis.

More contrasts surround this inviting bench — both in textures and in hues of green, and a Japanese Maple thrown in for a pop of color.

The water feature in the back courtyard has an old-world charm, and is surrounded by simple plantings of t=ferns and irises and papyrus. Ferns also dot the decomposed granite pathway, growing up out of the ground at our feet.

Another trellis creates a wall of plant art to add to the sculpture of the courtyard.

Peering into the fountain through the fronds of the papyrus creates another combination of contrasting hues of green.

This was a beautiful and intentional garden – complex, even in its simplicity – a peaceful place to while away the hours.

By Diana C. Kirby|2016-04-14T02:39:33-05:00November 4th, 2012|Austin gardens, Blog, Garden Conservancy, Garden Conservancy Open Days, garden tour, garden tours 2012, Open Days, Open Days 2012, serene garden, Sharing Nature's Garden, water features, Zen garden|0 Comments

Garden Conservancy Open Days

Cottage garden entwined with beautiful edibles highlight of Houston trip

Houston tour reveals hidden ‘secret garden’ treasures…around every corner

Hues of green evoke serenity in Austin garden on Open Days tour

Escape in the garden