Design A Go Go Archives | Diana's Designs Austin

Design day…

Today was the perfect day – 81 degrees and a gaggle of garden bloggers came to my house for our second monthly “DesignA Go Go” brainstorming session.

We did have one non-blogger interloper, who came to greet the guests and snag herself some lemonade. While she was doing that, her Dad was taking these great photos so I could post about our party before they headed off to the movies together.

We toured the gardens, talked about plants and compared notes about what’s still dormant and what might be dead in our gardens after our harsh winter.
After some visiting and chatting,
…and some eating and drinking,

…we set about looking at the area that I designated for my design brainstorming session. (Scroll down to my last post to see the area.)

Everyone asked great questions about what I like and what I don’t. What I’ll plant and what I won’t. And most importantly, what are the dogs gonna do with it all?!

The first component is an area along the wrought-iron fence that allows them to look out and watch the deer off into the woods behind the fence. In front of that, I had visions of a garden area — maybe a little like a secret garden — with some neat features you have to walk into to actually see and experience.

Bloggers sketched and drew and wrote and walked and looked. And I was giddy with anticipation. We all talked about lots of great ideas. And then each gardener shared with me his or her unique perspective.

And honestly, I think I am going to be taking ideas from many of the plans that were laid out – and there were so many good ideas – stock tanks, seating, fencing, plants — you name it, nothing was left off the table.

They even convinced me to try some plants and a stock tank (for plants), that I’d previously rejected. I was really trying to keep an open mind.

And then we had our plant swap and we all got loads of great new plants to try in our gardens.

It was a delightful day – a perfect Austin spring day – for relaxing and enjoying the garden instead of working in it for a chance.

THANKS to everyone who came and spent the afternoon sharing your great ideas with me.

Tomorrow I am off to the Zilker Garden Fest — our biggest garden festival of the year — where I hope to fill my wagon with more goodies to plant. Enough of this resting stuff!

Inspiration needed for Design A Go Go

This is it. My boring, inspiration-less corner. The subject of the Austin Garden Bloggers Design A Go Go this weekend to brainstorm with me about what to do in that back corner.

First rule, however, is that dogs must roam. They love to race to that back corner and watch for deer and other critters through the fence. Since I know that isn’t going to change because I put some inspiration over there, the dogs have to keep a path behind whatever I do.

I’d really like a garden room – some almost enclosed area with a focal point, but with a hidden element as well. It could cover part or most of the front of the playscape, too. I’m open. Might like a nice cedar arbor back there.

I’m just tired of competing with the dogs for the space and the bed that’s there, while nice enough when in bloom, was a put in as a filler. I’ve removed some of my original shrubs in favor of more perennials, too. Now the bed holds bi-color iris, Esperanza, Butterfly weed, Coneflowers, some pass-along bulbs, Ruellia, and an Abutilon. The fences have Crossvine and Wisteria on them. The trees in front of the area are 2 Lace Bark Elms and 1 Big Tooth Maple.

The existing corner bed gets morning and mid-day sun and late afternoon shade on the right side.

So, are you inspired when you look at these pictures? Something amazing pop into your head? Think you might have an idea to share with me? I’d love to hear it. All inspiration welcome!

Design A Go Go

Design day…

Inspiration needed for Design A Go Go

Escape in the garden