Drive-By Garden: Waterwise front yard and patio

Home & Garden

In East Austin I spotted this attractive waterwise front yard and patio with feathergrass, hesperaloe, firecracker fern, and fall aster.… Read More

The post Drive-By Garden: Waterwise front yard and patio appeared first on Digging.

June 30, 2023

Driving around the Delwood neighborhood in East Austin last week I spotted this attractive waterwise front yard. A huge crape myrtle shades one side of the midcentury-style home, sheltering a small patio beneath its branches. On the sunny side, Mexican feathergrass, giant hesperaloe, firecracker fern, and fall aster enjoy a fairly open placement, mulched with gravel.

A driveway of alternating concrete strips and gravel allows rainwater to percolate through. In the narrow side yard, a tall hedge of ‘Will Fleming’ yaupon, nicely pruned, provides privacy and enclosure.

A curved path of concrete pavers meanders under the crape myrtle to the avocado-green door. In the shade, dwarf Texas palmetto, lamb’s ears, and cast-iron plant shrug off heat or cold.

Loose gravel — not decomposed granite — means fewer weeds. And I love the concrete circle that delineates a simple gravel patio with two benches near the door. The talented Casey Boyter designed this lovely space. Check out this other garden in her portfolio for more inspiration.

And around the block…

As I drove off and rounded the block, I spotted these cool cats in another yard: a patch of shade-wearing prickly pear! Does anything sum up a hot Texas summer better than this?

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All material © 2023 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

The post Drive-By Garden: Waterwise front yard and patio appeared first on Digging.

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