Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Perfect Day to visit Rock Rose

Jenny already called it in her Rock Rose blog post:  a perfect day in her garden.  Way back in June of 2014 when I asked Jenny to be a docent for my garden club's tour of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center she also invited us to tour her own garden.  All of us.  Of course, I jumped at the chance and added it to our agenda.  Garden club meetings are the second Wednesday of each month so the date was fixed no matter the weather or Jenny's recent hip surgery.

It couldn't have been a better day.  We were greeted with masses of Bluebonnets at peak bloom.


 


Finally!  After following Jenny's blog for years and months of anticipation we approach the entry courtyard.



Into the first garden space, that must be the Zephirine drouhin rose Jenny finds to be a pruning challenge.  I think she's found just the right touch.



Native Claret Cup cactus in full bloom, this doesn't happen everyday!



I thought this was the front door until it opened to reveal more garden space.  Well, it is the front door which enters into the garden.  A glimpse of the massive Lady Banks rose.  You can see more of it on Rock Rose blog.



The garden spaces are each accessible from the house but in order for our rather large group to reach the pool and walled gardens we walked right through the bluebonnets around the side.



Perfect weather, everything in full spring bloom at once.


Indescribable how it feels to be here.  Wow.


One surprise is how the garden spaces are distinctly divided by walls and doorways, a nod to Jenny and David's English childhood so very different from our "wide open spaces" approach to Texas gardening.



The English garden trough turned Texas tough with opuntia replacing delicate alpines.














Columbine, poppies, bluebonnets, winecups...oh, my!









The walls define the spaces but do not close them off












Jenny in action as docent in her own garden





The view over the garden wall.


Back around to the front, the iris and cactus is an eye-catching combination.


Before we go, a group shot by professional photographer and garden club member Janne Aubrey.  Jenny and David (an enthusiastic participant in the gardens) front right.


And a last look at those Bluebonnets!



A beautiful day in a wonderful garden with great hosts.  Thanks, Jenny and David!

For Jenny's view of our day in her garden:

A Perfect Day for Visitors
A Day Spent with Gardeners

Central Texas Gardener segment on Rock Rose garden
Posted by at 8:36 AM
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21 comments:

  1. Mark and GazApril 16, 2015 at 9:17 AM

    Fantastic looking garden and just love the sense of enclosure provided by the walls and a backdrop to the beautiful planting. And those blue bonnets in a large swathe like that looks magical!

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  2. MistiApril 16, 2015 at 10:47 AM

    Wow, what a fantastic garden! I'm envious!

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  3. garyApril 16, 2015 at 11:05 AM

    beautiful-wow!

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  4. Rock rose April 16, 2015 at 11:17 AM

    How fun to tour my own garden seen through your eyes. It was a really special day. I enjoyed meeting your gardening group and it's always fun to tour with a group who have a keen interest in the plants and your group certainly did.Y'all come back to Austin soon.

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    Replies
    1. ShirleyApril 17, 2015 at 3:55 PM

      We do have fun and enjoy our tours. Thank you and David so much for opening your garden to us.

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  5. Linda/patchworkApril 16, 2015 at 11:27 AM

    What a great tour! Thanks for taking us along.

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  6. Pam/DiggingApril 16, 2015 at 11:33 AM

    I love that last picture of all of you and Jenny and David. And well do I remember the overwhelming delight of my first visit to Jenny's garden (on a public tour), and that has never gone away although I've seen it many times since. Jenny is a treasure to share their lovely garden with so many visitors over the years.

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    Replies
    1. ShirleyApril 17, 2015 at 3:56 PM

      If I remember your post, the unfolding beauty of the garden was a surprise since Jenny was not blogging yet.

      Delete
  7. outlawgardenerApril 16, 2015 at 3:25 PM

    A great garden! Love the walls and doors leading to more gardens - such marvelous structure and such grand plantings! When can I move in?

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  8. Kris PetersonApril 16, 2015 at 6:35 PM

    I always enjoy the posts bloggers do on other bloggers' gardens as I get new insights into those gardens. This post is no exception. Jenny's garden is special and spectacular from whichever angle its viewed but I got a broader picture of the overall garden from your post. Thanks for sharing your visit!

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  9. Beth at PlantPostingsApril 16, 2015 at 8:27 PM

    Oh yes, it does look heavenly! All those Bluebonnets! That view! The espallier rose! Is the pond a swimming pool or a decorative pond? Either way, it blends in perfectly with all their hardscapes and plantings. Just lovely.

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    1. ShirleyApril 17, 2015 at 12:06 PM

      It is a swimming pool beautifully blended into the garden.

      Delete
  10. RagnaApril 17, 2015 at 9:17 AM

    Um um um ... absolutely wonder-full.

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  11. danger gardenApril 17, 2015 at 11:57 AM

    *sigh*...so beautiful! This was wonderful, to see an overview of a garden I love from afar. Those agaves, the walls, the water, I swoon...

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    1. ShirleyApril 17, 2015 at 3:53 PM

      It's a special place and glad I could share another view of the garden.

      Delete
  12. AnonymousApril 17, 2015 at 2:06 PM

    No comment, except I'm breathless at how good it looks and your photos of it may be the best I've seen. Glad I got to tour it a few years ago, even an hour after throwing out my back! This was at least as good.

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    Replies
    1. ShirleyApril 17, 2015 at 3:52 PM

      Being there on just the right day had a lot to do with how the photos turned out! I remember being a bit envious of your tour back then so I was thrilled to have the opportunity now.

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  13. TexasDebApril 18, 2015 at 8:17 AM

    I'll add my thanks to the others for sharing your own view of Jenny and David's amazing spaces. It is fascinating how visitors often see another's garden in a particular way that is not better or worse than but simply revelatory and novel. I loved the wider shots that gave me more a sense of the spaces in total but I think the very best was all those smiling faces in the closing photo. No blooms could be sweeter...

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  14. MartiApril 18, 2015 at 4:05 PM

    It's fun to see her garden through your lens too. I always like seeing pictures of her garden. I love the outdoor "rooms" and am intrigued by her house as much as her landscape. How fun to see it on a tour!

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  15. Michael - Plano Prairie GardenApril 20, 2015 at 10:05 PM

    I am jealous. I would love to see Jenny's garden some day. Your photos are the next best thing. You captured many views of the garden that I have not seen before.

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  16. rickiiApril 23, 2015 at 3:25 PM

    Pure perfection!

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