Garden Galleries

On the right of this path is the fun foxtail asparagus fern. This one is needier than its bushier cousin. In our heat it needs shade and a little more water than some of your other WaterSaver plants. Use it as an accent in small quantities and be ready to hand water it a bit more.

In the spirit of A picture is worth a thousand words, one large beautiful pot, with or without plants, makes for a calmer, cleaner design instead of multiple smaller pots. Large pots can be expensive but if you add up the cost of the smaller pots, potting soil, plants and time it might just be less costly.

In very shady small spaces it's hard to grow anything well. Some cotoneaster here is set off well with classy yard art.

The only down side to this patio is you'll never want to leave!

This landscape has used decomposed granite as both inorganic mulch and the planting medium throughout. If you decide to include rock, particularly if it's small in size, you'll want to plant in it so the roots will hold it in place and it will not run-off into the street into storm drains after one of San Antonio's famous gully-washers.

The clean subtle lines of sage green smooth stucco provide the inspiration for this incredible homeowner designed landscape. A corner lot, with a deep setback, this entry wall provide the privacy for a front courtyard reminiscence of Mediterranean designs.

This homeowner climbed on this beautiful oak as a child. When it came time for building she made sure the tree won out over the construction, though she had to remain vigilant. Was worth the effort don't you think?

This pathway leads to a small garden room and focal point. A classic garden design element.

In great design details count. Here instead of the ubiquitous grass strip, the homeowner chose terracotta segments to corral liriope on pretty pebbles.

This spineless prickly pear grows too easy and is right at home in any Texas landscape. Do give it some room – it can grow large.

In San Antonio shade is a hot commodity, shade is also not the best location for grass. Use your shady spots for pervious pathways and patios. The shade is where you want to be anyway.

This homeowner settled on a monochromatic color scheme and uses the juxtaposition of plant forms such as spikes, in the form of agaves and mounds like these black-foot daises, cenizo and ornamental grasses to create interest.

These striped agaves are quite the drama queens with their flashy color-block scheme, imposing size and dramatic architectural interest. If you have room for them include them. Oh yeah – no water needed.