Diana C. Kirby, Author at Diana's Designs Austin

About Diana C. Kirby

Diana Kirby is a lifelong gardener and longtime Austinite, who loves the Central Texas climate for the almost year-round opportunities it offers for active gardening and seasonal splendor. Known as an impassioned and successful gardener, Diana began by helping friends design and implement their landscapes. Soon, she was contracted as a professional designer by a popular local landscaping installation firm, where she designed landscapes for residential and commercial clients for several years. In 2007, her new passion blossomed with the launch of her own firm, Diana’s Designs. ... Diana is a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, the Garden Writers Association of America, and she writes a monthly gardening column for the Austin American-Statesman. Diana teaches the Landscape Design classes for several county Texas Agrilife Extension Service Master Gardener certification programs and speaks about gardening and design for garden centers and other groups. Learn more about presentation topics, availability and speaking fees.

Austin Garden Tour on Saturday May 3 will delight and inspire

This Saturday from 9-4, the Travis County Master Gardeners, are sponsoring their annual Inside Austin Garden Tour. As always, they have a great garden tour in store — full of interesting gardens sure to give you ideas and inspiration to take home.

You can see the sneak peek of the first 3 gardens in my last post here. This post covers the other 3 gardens, which incorporate two very different design styles and also demonstrate the broad range of plants that will thrive in the Central Texas area.

Austin Neal’s garden — a contemporary and rustic design – showcases many water wise plants and creative containers and art work.

This fabulous fence sets the stage as you enter the garden.

Grave and wooden walkways create an interesting walk to the front door.

This mobile of wasp nests dangles in front of you as you approach the door.

A mix of succulents and native perennials fill this drought-tolerant garden.

Raised vegetable beds filled with good soil will ensure a season of good crops.

Planters lined the fence, made of re-purposed supplies and filled with tough-as-nails succulents and cacti.

The Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden was filled with native and adapted plants that should be on everyone’s plant list.

Stroll through these plants — they are all labeled so visitors and tour participants can take notes and head to their favorite local nursery with a shopping list.

Demonstration plants include everything from ground covers to trees.

Perennials and herbs are also part of the garden.

This stunning bloom was definitely putting on a show of us.

Lori Daul’s garden is an amazing display of soft and sculptural plants.

Her entire front yard — only lawn when she purchased the house, is now filled with both sunny and shady spots with layers and layers of plants.

Texture plays a big role in Lori’s garden, as do sight lines and paths that lead the visitor through beautiful garden spaces.

In her back yard, the beds are very wide, allowing for layers of plantings to stand out.

Instead of a free-standing, upright bottle tree, Lori created a unique look using her mesquite tree as a bottle tree.

Whimsical garden art fills her beds.

Several water features add sound and interest throughout the garden.

Her use of sculptural, drought-tolerant plants next to the soft beauty of her rose collection makes a wonderful contrast.

Containers also help to add interest and texture to her beds.

Her coordinating blue fence and swing create a lovely oasis to sit and enjoy the garden.

Mixed among the perennials, Lori also has quite a few edibles mixed in her ornamental beds.

As you might tell, Lori’s garden was my favorite. And, she’s a personal friend of mine.

Her garden is not to be missed. So include the Travis County Master Gardeners annual Inside Austin Garden Tour on your Saturday plans. It’s going to be a beautiful day. The tour runs from 9-4 and is self- guided. Click on the link above for ticket information.

Enjoy the tour!

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:07-06:00May 1st, 2014|Blog, garden tour, garden tour 2014, Lori Daul, Master Gardener tour, Sharing Nature's Garden, water feature, water wise, xeric|0 Comments

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.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:07-06:00April 27th, 2014|Blog, cottage garden, fire feature, garden art, garden rooms, garden tour, garden tour 2014, Master Gardener tour, Sharing Nature's Garden, tour, tropical, water feature|0 Comments

Nursery serves as second classroom

txaas_masthead Horticulture Therapy Gardening is restorative. Taking in the fresh air, appreciating a job well done and enjoying nature – all help revive the spirit.

The mental and physical benefits of gardening have been recognized since ancient times. Today, horticultural therapy is used to help people with a broad array of disabilities in rehabilitative, vocational, and community settings.

It is used to improve initiative, language, and cognitive and social skills. Horticultural therapy can also help those with physical disabilities to strengthen muscles, improve balance and enhance coordination.

It’s About Thyme Garden Center on Manchaca Road is helping Austin-area special needs students learn important work skills and problem-solving techniques using horticultural therapy.

The nursery works in partnership with the Life Skills program at Akins High School, which is designed to provide special education students with rehabilitative and vocational skills in a community environment.

Once a week, a small group of Kelsey Williams’ Life Skills students travel by bus to the nursery, where they work with nursery owners, Chris and Diane Winslow and their staff. Depending on the students’ skill levels, students help in the greenhouses, fill and stack pots, sweep and help unload plants. Some high-functioning students are even able to help with planting and transplanting plants.

In addition to their job training experiences, students are interacting with staff and developing key social skills. The nursery also serves as a second classroom where Williams teaches students about plants and conducts science experiments. The students then continue learning about horticulture in the classroom by potting plants and tending their own small school garden.

Williams describes the class as an internship-like program, giving the students invaluable real-life experiences.

“The owners and staff at It’s About Thyme are always so welcoming and friendly with us,” said Kelsey. “The work definitely helps the students, and it also helps others who get to have exposure to these great kids.”

The Winslows have been working with the district’s program for several years, but Chris’ history with horticultural therapy extends far beyond that.

He worked for 26 years as the greenhouse director at Marbridge, a community education and job training facility for the mentally disabled, before retiring in 1998.

Winslow believes their work at the nursery provides the students with a wide range of benefits, both tangible and intangible.

“It gets the kids out of school and into the community,” said Winslow. “They’re getting life skills and training. They work in the vegetable garden and pull weeds and water and learn different skill sets.”

“They’re fun to work with and talk with,” said Winslow. “And it brightens their day a little bit, too”

When asked what she liked most about the experience, one of Williams’ students said she liked the work because growing plants helped her to create something.

“They enjoy being around plants and nature,” added Williams.

Akins has 5 classrooms with a total of 60 students in the Life Skills training program. A few of the other Austin businesses that partner with the Akins Life Skills program include Hobby Lobby and Half Price Books.

For more information about the uses and benefits of horticultural therapy, visit the website of the American Horticultural Therapy Association at AHTA.org.

Local Landscape Designer and Garden Coach Diana Kirby provides landscaping tips at www.dianasdesignsaustin.com and writes a garden blog at www.dianasdesignsaustin.com.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:07-06:00April 26th, 2014|Articles|Comments Off

Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham filled with vintage garden charm

The first stop my friend Pam, of Digging, and I made on our way to a delightful gardening weekend Houston was at the Antique Rose Emporium. Sadly, with our late Texas spring, we arrived before all the roses were in bloom. We saw buds galore, though.

In spite of missing the roses in bloom, the rest of this destination nursery’s gardens were filled with beautiful plants, charming vignettes, and lovely gift shops.

We were greeted upon our arrival by this beautiful monarch – having second breakfast on a lantana bloom

As I was perusing the plant table with 4″ pots, I was suprised to find another greeter – but this one was sleeping on the job. He slept through my camera clicks as I had to get a picture of him curled up so cute among the plants.

And the tables were full of pretty plants that all called out to me: “take me home, take me home.”

We had a full day’s garden agenda, or we would have loved to lounge under this beautiful tree and enjoy the scenery.

I was fascinated by this beautiful tree and its bark.

The view out to the amazing rose display – I’m not sure if they would be called obelisks, but they are amazing.

While the garden is filled with roses and perennials, it also has a sculptural side – filled with yuccas, agaves and cacti.

This decades-old building houses garden items for sale and is well preserved.

What a life — being a duck in this garden.

The building is so charming.

And I was fascinated with the preserved structure – imagining folks living in here a long time ago.

The hellebores were getting a head start on the roses, though they were still shy.

Gorgeous.

Another pretty area to stop and sit or gaze across the garden.

While blue is my favorite – this white delphinium really stood out.

On the path to the secret garden – drawing visitors in, wanting more.

Wish, anyone?

Circular paths wind around the rose towers.

More drought tolerant plants along the path.

There’s so much to see — time to sit a spell again.

Having a ginormous artichoke in my own garden, I was wowed by this beautiful display.

What a show of color on this kale.

The cute kitty napping on the plant table near the entrance can rest easy with this dog on the grounds.

What a pretty vegetable garden – filled with healthy plants and surrounded by a lovely fence.

I loved wandering around the grounds on my second trip to the Antique Rose Emporium. It’s a delightful gardening jaunt, and well worth the little drive. In a word, it’s charming.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:08-06:00April 15th, 2014|Antique Rose Emporium, artichoke, Blog, Brenham, butterfly, garden travel, garden visit, Hellebore, roses, seating, Sharing Nature's Garden, vignettes|0 Comments

Cottage garden entwined with beautiful edibles highlight of Houston trip

We saw lots of interesting, beautiful and creative gardens when my friend, Pam, of Digging, and I visited Houston for the Garden Conservancy’s Open Day Tour two weeks ago.

My very favorite — a cacophony of color, texture and layers so entwined that taking it all in was a project in and of itself. But a delightful one, not to be missed.

It wasn’t on the tour; it was recommended by Pam’s sister. We had high expectations for the house at 605 Peddie Street, and we weren’t disappointed. The owner, landscape consultant, Terry Gordon Smith, was hand watering the garden with a hose when he found us oohing and ahhing over his creation. He was very welcoming and proud of his garden and we enjoyed learning about the garden’s evolution and the weather and conditions in his Houston garden.

No lawn in sight, this garden is filled with evergreens, perennials, annuals, fruits, vegetables and herbs.

The bottle brush trees were pruned very high, making a dramatic statement towering over all the other plants.

Up close and personal – I almost can’t count how many plants are encapsulated in this close-up photo.

With so many plants filling the garden, the view from every angle is unique.

The delphiniums were gorgeous. I love blue in the garden and there just aren’t that many good choices for us to incorporate it into our gardens. I’ve had delphiniums, but the deer thought they were tasty!

Even the edibles make beautiful examples of perfect color combinations.

Tight shots like this make the veggies look like abstract art.

Pam’s working on some of those close ups, too.

Love the color combo of the delphiniums against the brightly colored house.

This was a delightful garden and, like the garden at 1514 Banks that I posted about, helped to give us a broader perspective of Houston gardens than just those one the tour. Our weekend was totally garden-licious. More to come soon about another cool destination nursery and restaurant combo.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:08-06:00April 13th, 2014|annuals, Blog, Bottle Brush tree, color, cottage garden, delphinium, edibles, Garden Conservancy Open Days, garden tour 2014, Houston Garden tour 2014, Peddie Street, Sharing Nature's Garden, spring, spring bloomers, vegetable garden, vines|0 Comments

Whimiscal garden art makes Arbor Gate Nursery in Tomball a must-see visit

What would a weekend garden tour trip be without a nursery tour to go along with it?

Not as much fun, that’s for sure. So when my friend, Pam, of Digging, planned our Houston Garden Conservancy Open Days trip last weekend, we had two nurseries on our fun-filled itinerary: The Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham (I’ll post about it soon), and The Arbor Gate in Tomball, a whimsical destination nursery packed with garden art of every imaginable type.

They describe their nursery as: “an inspired collection that includes unusual plants, artisan-created decorative pieces, and a constantly changing array of items that bring beauty, comfort, and even flavor to the home and garden.”

There were two lovely shops with home and garden gifts galore. I could get lost in a place like this.

This giant metal rose sculpture truly is a Carefree Beauty – no blackspot here.

Darting among the metal statues, I’m not sure who was more curious – me or this duck?

I was intrigued by all of the birdhouse art. I had my eye on one, but ended up with a piece of glass art instead. Now I wish I’d splurged and bought one of each.

The wall of the store was lined with talavera painted creatures.

This bevy of terra cotta cats seemed to be watching us wherever we went.

Unlike these two lazy porkers, who paid us absolutely no mind.

I think the duck was looking for a date here, but the herons weren’t interested.

And the pottery – boy was there a lot of pottery.

And more critters.

And more birdhouses.

And it wouldn’t be a nursery without some ceramic mushrooms.
I particularly liked this sea of ceramic fish swimming through this bright bed of chard. They looked like they were trying to talk to us.

They also had a wide variety of glass garden art – I almost bought this one, but ended up with a different piece – same colors but a different shape. It hasn’t found its perfect home in my garden yet, so that will have to be another post.

You can see Pam was having a great time loitering among the plants.

More animal garden art. I’ll bet that dog doesn’t wake its owner up at 5:30 on the weekends (like some dogs I know).

Their poppies were stunning.

I loved these Spanish-inspired colorful garden stakes.

And more cute ‘shrooms.

Flying bugs …

…and flying pigs.

I cannot tell a lie – a beautiful succulent from this table went home with me.

Here are more of the glass sculptures. They remind me of the amazing chihuly glass, and they were reasonably priced. I can’t wait to find the perfect place in my garden for the one I bought.

They also had a wonderful selection of plants and the nursery staff were very knowledgeable. We shared stories and asked questions and identified a few new varieties of plants to try back here at home in Central Texas.

Gardens and shopping. Kind of like peanut butter and jelly. We had a blast.

If you’re in the north Houston area, make time to visit this magical nursery — you’ll be glad you did.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:09-06:00April 7th, 2014|Arbor Gate, Blog, garden art, garden decor, garden tour 2014, Houston, nursery, Sharing Nature's Garden, Tomball|1 Comment

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