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Bloggers celebrate 10th Anniversary of Garden Bloggers Fling

Wow.  What a great Garden Bloggers Fling.  With long-time friends and new, we laughed, we shared, we took tens of thousands of photos, and we reveled in stunning gardens and event spaces.

A whopping 92 swag bags lived at my house for 4 months – taking up space equal to about 3 queen-size beds.   The Austin team, Diana Kirby, Pam Penick, Laura Wills, Jennifer Brown and Sheryl Williams, had 4 stuffing parties as swag arrived so we didn’t have as much to do at the end.  (There might or might not have been some Prosecco involved.) We were blown away by the generosity of our wonderful  sponsors. This room was also home to dozens of big boxes full of fabulous raffle items. From beginning to end, it felt like we were on the magical mystery tour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few bloggers in town early, were treated to a delightful brunch at Laura Will’s house and garden. Then, after two years of planning and prep, the Austin team began welcoming bloggers at the hotel on Thursday afternoon.  Shown here – Laura Wills, Pam Penick, Diana Kirby and Sheryl Williams. Not pictured, Jennifer Brown who was clearly busy at work while we were hamming it up.

After the festivities and fajitas at the opening reception, bloggers headed up to the rooftop garden at the new Austin Public Library to enjoy a warm breeze and get a bird’s-eye view of Austin

 

 

 

Gardeners got to know one another and spend down time relaxing before three days of fun-filled garden tours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at the hotel, the Austin team took advantage of tequila shot goodies we included in swag bags while holding the final planning meeting in Pam’s room.

 

The first Fling stop was at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  While bloggers photographed the wildflowers, the anxiously anticipated clouds gathered and burst forth with a real Texas gully washer.  Armed with the rain ponchos from their swag bags, some continued exploring while the majority of folks spent time drying off in the Center’s gift shop.

Then everyone arrived at my house.  Along with the pelting rain.  I opened up all blinds so they could see the garden from inside.  But most ventured outside in their ponchos, seeking some shelter on the back patio, and in the covered outdoor kitchen and cabana.  The brave ones continued on to see the garden, though the rain made taking quality photos difficult.

I’m collecting photos from bloggers, because of course I was busy and didn’t have any time to take photos here.  So, if you have a few good pics you’re willing to share in high res, I’d love to have them.

Sitting with friends on the bus is a great opportunity to catch up from previous flings and get to know newbie flingers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all took shelter with a box lunch under the revival tent at the Natural Gardener and listened to John Dromgoole, an Austin gardening icon and owner of the nursery.

The platoon of ponchos on the march at the next garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Color echos in the garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Made in the shade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Follow the yellow brick road.

Finding the best shot.

This feet-in-the-pool shot is becoming a tradition.

A relaxing reception at Articulture provided the perfect setting for BBQ dinner, drinks and live music.  We enjoyed taste testing two tequila recipes of our dear friend and Austin icon, Lucinda Hutson.  Bloggers also shopped in the store and traded impressions of the gardens.  Bloggers traded contact information and started setting their sights on Denver in 2018.

Austin bloggers, minus Laura Wills, gathered for a final photo, as Laura posed with Austin blogger Jenny Stocker and her husband.

Now, on to Denver!

Children’s garden a fantastic wonderland…

As if tours of Kylee’s garden (Our Little Acre) and her mom Louise’s garden (Two Girls with a Purpose) weren’t enough – I got an added bonus.  After lunch I got to see the amazing Children’s Garden that Louise helped design, create and raised the money for it as well.

I thought – yeah, yeah, I expected a few raised beds and maybe a birdhouse or two.  Oh my.  Was I in for a treat, and you will be too.

With an entrance like this, I knew big surprises lay ahead.

Louise and Kylee – ready to lead the tour (with proper rain gear).

Welcome – come on in!

Just follow the path.

Something’s not quite right (angled) about this kiddie fun house.

Who doesn’t love running over a bridge?

The bed that runs along the inside of the circular path unfolds with the letters of the alphabet and plants that start with that letter. From asparagus to zinnia – it’s all about learning.

Beautiful plants dot the garden at every turn.

No shortages of places to play and be “hands on.”

This would inspire any child to eat vegetables.

The Enabling Garden, designed for the disabled, includes raised beds and trellises to make it wheelchair accessible.

Animals – friendly and stauesque – fill this garden with adventure.

This rainbow garden, the contribution to the park from Louise and Kylee’s family, was truly one of my favorites.  Filled with stunning plants in full bloom, they echoed the rainbow pathway just begging to be walked around.

The creativity factor in this soared through the roof.

And the focal point, as if all the other components weren’t enough, is this sculpture that celebrates inclusion, diversity, peace and harmony and love around the world.   (Well, that’s my interpretation of it.)

“Good morning, Mister Sunshine, you brighten up my day.” — Bee Gees
Everyone’s a kid in a children’s garden — even me!
One of the most exciting stops in the garden — the butterfly house.  All the plants in the garden around the house were butterfly friendly.

How insightful.  And what an amazing lesson for children — to see life unfold before their eyes — through two different perspectives.

Pollinator heaven.

And a little clever art with a seat to go along with it.  Perfect for butterfly watching.
Amazing creature.

The inside of the house was covered with chrysalises and butterflies that had just emerged.

They were everywhere – just waiting to join their flying friends.

They paid absolutely no attention to me – leaving my happily snapping away with my camera to capture the  moment.

Then we entered the secret garden – ducking in and finding ourselves in a perfect hideaway.

Kitty guards the entrance.  It’s a stone sculpture – in case you couldn’t tell!

A peaceful Zen garden is one of the last stops around the park.

And finally, a monument that honors the contributions of local businesses and citizens, like Louise,  whose creativity, hard work and financial support made this all possible. 

I only wish I lived near the garden, because it’s really not just for children.  It’s an amazing park that delights the senses of young and old alike.

What an accomplishment, Louise.  My hat’s off to you and all you did to make this a reality.

Saturday, May 3rd, don’t miss the Inside Austin Gardens Tour 2014 for inspiration & ideas

As they do every year, the Travis County Master Gardeners, have put together a great garden tour — full of interesting and inspirational gardens for experienced and novice gardeners alike.

This year’s tour – next Saturday, May 3rd from 9-4 should be on your calendar.

I was invited to preview the gardens with fellow garden bloggers last week, so I have some inside scoop for you here.  This is the first of two posts that will highlight the gardens. 

The first garden was that of Dugie and David Graham, high on a hill in north Austin where they deal with a serious slope and hungry deer.  Their garden was full of beautiful bones and hardscape that made the best of their landscape.

 A beautiful pond cascades down the back hillside, providing a home for plants, wildlife and art.

Stone beds with dappled shade make a lovely home for native and xeric plants.

 On a landing, this beautiful wooden table sits atop a creative stone floor.

Guarding the path down the hill, these columns with trellises provide beautiful and unique support for some stunning roses.

The second garden was Jerry Naiser’s, owner of Real Green Pest and Lawn Service, Naiser’s garden  is controlled by a highly sophisticated 32-zone drip irrigation system.  The system includes moisture sensors that enable him to provide just the right amount of water to each garden zone.

 This focal point as you enter the garden from the side yard is this dramatic trio of fiery fountains.

 With a very lush, tropical feel, the garden sports citrus trees, caladiums, cannas and grasses.

 Vegetables and annuals fill beds and vertical spaces as well.

 As you follow the bed around the back of the garden, this longhorn sculpture guards the entrance to the back patio area.


 A secluded seating area in the back corner of the garden is a hideaway for relaxing in hanging chairs and a hammock.

The covered patio off of the back of the house was transformed into this trendy outdoor kitchen, complete with flat screen tv.

The next landscape was that of Robin Howard Moore.  Her garden was a mix of traditional and eccelctic.  

 

 Alternately, tropical and cottage-style.

 With a few interesting focal points.

 Cobalt blue pots and a bottle brush tree added color and interest.

 A step back revealed the towering trees covering her beds.

This charming combination against a wall evoked an old-world feel.

Tomorrow, the rest of the beautiful gardens you can see on next week’s tour.

A garden path less traveled…

On Sunday we finally got to join our host, Christopher, of Outside Clyde, at his mountain top garden, Ku’ulei’Aina, (which means My Beloved Land) and his mother’s neighboring garden, Bonnie Brae (as the steep mountain path winds). It was a beautiful, warm day, filled with sunshine and the sweet smell of green on the mountain top. We started with a delicious fresh lunch outside and then scattered about like little beetles, seeking a path less traveled to explore between the two quaint cottages.

 This cairn at the entrance to the property gives guests a rustic welcome.

Christopher built the house, which is literally perched on the mountainside. 

We all listen to the history of the two houses and gardens and get our guidance for winding through the mountain paths.

I didn’t get the history of this old fireplace, but I’m sure it has stories to tell of days gone by.

I couldn’t stop looking at the azaleas.  The early spring meant there weren’t very many still in bloom.  We did see quite a few of the tangerine-colored ones — I assume they bloom a little bit later.

Nestled in the very green of the woods were clusters of every kind of flower imaginable.  Some of them just popping up on the mountain, countless numbers of others, carefully yet randomly planted to contribute to the natural look and feel of the winding paths.

This is Christopher’s mother’s deck.  The view was incredible – I’m sure every post has the next picture in it.  Carol, of May Dreams Gardens is sure to have one in her post!  Though I didn’t photograph it, I did enjoy sitting on another small circular deck, a few steps down from this one and under the canopy of some beautiful trees.

On our way back over to Christopher’s we were all impressed with this huge boulder with the stream running out from under it. 

His stone labyrinth was inviting and I’m sure all 93 of us took a turn wandering through it.

I caught this little guy trying to crash our party.  We were all having such a wonderful time, I don’t think anyone else noticed!

THANK YOU, Christopher, and your whole team, for a wonderful Fling and for sharing your own garden with us all.  It was amazing and I’m so glad to have been able to see it firsthand.

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