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| Rollingwood (Texas) City Hall, Zone 8b |
Joining in the discussion was Rollingwood Parks Commission member Robert Patterson, who was key to moving the garden from concept towards completion. Living less than a block away, Patterson is a direct beneficiary of the new and improved view provided as he walks his dogs daily and occasionally rides his recumbent bicycle past the park. He also walks the talk, having removed his own lawn a couple of years ago in favor of more xeric, naturalized plantings.
The community garden design, utilizing natives and well adapted neighbors, is meant to be both inspirational and instructive, providing by direct example what good can come AG (After Grass). Most of the plants are clearly labeled, giving you a glimpse of what grows well and as importantly, where, under some very typical central Texas conditions. The plants chosen, once established, require little supplemental watering. As the gardens are unfenced and our area is populated with freely roaming white tailed deer, the plants in play are also proving their browse resistance under combat conditions.
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| Director of Photography Ed Fuentes relocates a camera as Producer/Editor Linda Lehmusvirta chats on site with Mark Morrow, in charge of Audio Ops for the segment. |
You know, I'm not sure how the CTG crew ever gets any work done when they are filming in a public place. I was not the only one to recognize them and casually enter what was actually their work space. It didn't matter - everybody was as courteous and congenial as if they were simply enjoying the day and not trying to get a segment filmed. After mis-identifying a small tree (just to assure everybody it was really me!) I realized I had originally been on my way to run an errand, so I excused myself and did just that.
Then of course, I scooted back home and grabbed my own camera. Wouldn't you? As I was attempting to surreptitiously snap a shot of CTG's queen bee at work, I could not help but notice a couple of other important garden ladies busily working the spaces.
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| Harmonia axyridis - Asian lady beetle |
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| Coccinella septempunctata - Seven spot lady bug |
But don't wait to see it on television! If you are ever in the neighborhood, do stop at Rollingwood's City Hall on Nixon Drive and take a leisurely live self-guided tour of the garden and grounds. I can't promise I'll recognize you, stop my car and say hello, but I can promise that possibility is not at all the best reason to visit.
Rght now, things are lookin' very good in the hood.
Rollingwood Waterwise Demonstration Garden
203 Nixon Drive
Rollingwood, Texas
Admission: free
22 comments:
You didn't, in your adolescent, groupie fervor,toss your gardening gloves or some other apparel at the anyone, did you? Snort.
Such a fun post, Deb, and thanks for your promotion of the Rollingwood Waterwise Demo garden--I need to cruise by there sometime for a look-see.
Love your ladybird beetle shots. I've had a bunch of those aphid-munching friends visiting this spring--as well as a bunch of aphids. But, I'm letting the beetles and their offspring do their thing: munch, mate, reproduce, etc.
Thanks for the morning chuckle!
Oh wow! I would have stopped just as fast. Scott Ogden (sqeee!) whose books on gardening in tough climates have been inspirational and the plants lists indispensible. The CTG crew and the shows they produce are just as important to the formation of my garden.
The Rollingwood garden looks like an excellent place to get inspired.
Tina: If I had my gardening gloves in the car I think I'd have angled for autographs. Do I now carry a pristine pair of gloves and a sharpie in my car on the off chance I'll ever see the CTG group in action again? (chances: slim to nonexistent..) Um, maybe? : )
Shirley: Right!??!! These folk are Garden Gurus for real. I am love-love-loving the golden poppies and globemallow in the demo garden right now. You suppose it would be considered homage or petty theft if I tried to snag some seed later in the season?
(Not that I am planning on it but I do think about it every time I drive by!).
How fun!
I would have stopped, too. Not often you can hobnob with royalty.
Linda: Everybody who stopped was treated quite courteously, not at all a controlled access situation there in the public gardens. It helped to have the KLRU van parked close by. The van + the gardens = Squeeee!
That sounds like a great break from mundane errands. How nice to have a community garden close by! The closest waterwise demonstration garden in these parts I know if requires an arduous drive through downtown LA (which isn't something I undertake lightly) plus a significant entrance fee. But that's LA...
I'm enjoying the thought of you counting the spots on every ladybug you see!
So fun! What a fun way to meet some idols. The demonstration park looks beautiful- I haven't herded (ahem, walked) though with my kids on the way to the playground in a few months and it looks wonderful!
I'm such an avid viewer of CTG! Such a great program. I look forward to seeing this episode air, and will have to put this on my list of gardens to visit!
Kris: Most organized tours are held this time of year, when flowers are at peak right along with the oak pollen. That means I don't tour much locally.
This demonstration garden was installed in place of lawns in front of City Hall buildings located between two parks, just a stone's throw from where I live. I'm proud of our municipality for their foresight and leadership in waterwise gardening. Now if only my actual neighbors would do the same!
THGM: I bet you'll be pleased at how well everything has filled in so far. Lots of pollinator action, too. And the parks, well, they're great, aren't they! The happy noise from both the parks and ball fields nearby is a welcome backdrop for being outside in our neighborhood.
Rebecca: I know you'll love the segment. Watching CTG is my favorite way to armchair garden tour.
We are a bit of a drive from where you are, and the gardens are small, having been installed where lawn used to be in front of our public buildings. That said, if you were already in this neck of the woods, the gardens are lovely and well worth a look around.
What a beautiful and sweet post! And great pictures. Believe me, I was squealing with delight to meet you, too! Thank you so much for stopping!!
I'm wondering why you didn't call me! I would have been over there in a shot. But I will have to pay a visit next time I am heading down or up Bee cave Rd. I never knew where your city hall was but you have put it on the map. And Deb. you are too funny. You had me smiling at some of your comments.
LindaL: You are too kind. Believe me, I had no choice but to stop - after spotting you I couldn't have driven on by to save my life. I am deeply relieved I managed to come to a full stop before leaping out and rushing over...
Thanks for letting me transplant a little of the CTG fun over here to austinagrodolce!
RockRose: Thanks Jenny! [Ummm - do I have your number? : ) ]
I'm tickled you enjoyed the post and I know you'll enjoy the small R'wood garden by City Hall. What they've done there is right up your alley.
That said, you've been doing a lot of what they've done there for years already. I wouldn't have been shocked to learn they'd come to you for inspiration!
How fun - a rare sighting of the elusive Linda in her natural habitat! And Scott Ogden as well!
A year ago, you suggested I visit this garden, and I finally did a week and a half ago, catching the bluebonnets at peak bloom. I had no idea I was so close to the elusive TexasDeb's garden as well. Would that a sighting had been possible. I'll be posting about the Waterwise Garden soon. It offers fabulous inspiration. Thanks for letting me know about it!
Pam: I remember that suggestion and when I began reading posts about other gardens in the neighborhood on your blog recently I wondered if City Hall was on your list of stops.
I'm excited to see and read about your take on the gardens. Rollingwood is certainly getting its moment in the sun (and the hail!).
I'm glad you and the CTG crew were here before the storms hit. The damage wasn't terrible but the flowers sure looked happier before they got pelted with ice!
=D Love CTG and Scott Ogden's work. hahaha I wonder what he would have done if you HAD thrown your gardening gloves at him. That is hilarious. I've seen some interviews with him and he seems kind of intense and intimidating. More of a plant person than a people person. Thanks for the laugh (and great tip ... will definitely check out the garden some time soon).
Debra: I was only around long enough to mis-identify a plant and to make a statement that provoked a bit of a reaction from Mr. Ogden about invasive plants and what we should be doing (or not) about them. Me stepping in conversational mucky spots is so par for the course I ought to wear rain gear full time.
Just you all watch though - one of these days I'll get an ID correctly sorted out and then who knows what will happen next!
Some Tx A&M Extension offices now have real nice demo gardens mostly maintained by Master Gardeners. I've been learning a lot from them. A large native garden goes around the New Braunfel's office and a vegetable garden is across the parking lot. A vegetable and herb garden by the Austin office. In Bryan a large semi-formal layout using natives is next to the office. I just wish there was a list of them across the state with their addresses. They are like you said, GREAT learning gardens because they are using what grows in the wild in your area. Sure beats trying to fight the environment to grow things that keep dying or guessing what natives bought in a nursery will look like when fully grown. These gardens are so beautiful, I think they far outshine regular lawns with plants that do not come from here.
Something about the demo garden at Bryan. It uses all natives and I think it does NOT look like a bunch of overgrown weeds. I live in the country and have to be wary of the rattlers and copperheads. So, a wild looking English style garden would be dangerous to me and visiting children.
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