GARDEN BLOGGERS' VISIT TO SAN ANTONIO BOTANICAL GARDENS

On Saturday a group of Austin bloggers drove down to San Antonio. First stop was Madrone Gardens in San Marcos. I was unaware of this garden until Lee at The Grackle mentioned his visit the previous week.

Owned and operated by Dan Hosage, Madrone is a native plant nursery..... with a difference. You had better know your plants because there are no labels on any of the containers. We spent a some time walking with Dan and then we scattered looking at the various pots picking them up and asking each other "do you know what this is? " It was a bit of a guessing game.

However, most of us managed to find something we just had to have and many of us left with a swamp bay plant. I still have to do research on exactly what I bought.

We continued on our way to the Botanical Gardens in San Antonio.

The gardens gave a very tropical feel on first entering. Lush growth under the large trees.

We all recognized the Cranberry hibiscus, Hibiscus acetosella, we had seen in Eleanor's garden.

In Austin we all need to add some fall color to our gardens and this one would do the trick, either in a pot or in the ground.

Children would certainly delight in seeing the larger than life insects displayed around the garden.

My favorite was the giant spider seen in the East Texas Pineywoods area.

Several theme gardens highlight plants in a particular habitat.

In the Japanese garden, it didn't seem to matter that there was no water in the central feature. The blue river rocks still gave the impression of water.

As ever, the bamboo fencing, which demonstrated several different forms, was magnificent.

In the Garden for the Blind. Low walls made the plantings available for touch.

There are several enclosed exhibit rooms where the climatic conditions are controlled in order to support a number of different habitats.

The exhibit room was filled with exotic leaf forms and orchids.

There was a great deal of interest in this tree from of Euphorbia. I did look at the tag but my memory didn't retain the name. Should have photographed the tag.

It reminded us all of the pointsettia, which is also a Euphorbia.

I loved the combination of plants in this pot. When it comes to pots this olive jar shape is my favorite.

Children had clearly been at work here. A large mural depicts life in different areas of the jungle.

In the Kleberg Desert Pavilion we all spotted the flower on this Huernia. I can see why they named this the Life-saver plant, Huernia confusa.

The Palm and Cycad pavilion.

The Fern Grotto.

Finally the gardens have designed a Water Saver Exhibit. Above is an example of the typical American front garden. Each one of the following gardens gives suggestions on how to design and plant a garden for low water use.

The Spanish Courtyard.

The Cottage Garden

The Manicured Xeriscape.

The Texas Hill Country Garden

The Wildlife Garden

After leaving the Gardens our final stop of the day was at the Antique Rose Emporium, before heading home to Austin.

Thanks Pam for organizing a really great outing. Happy planting garden bloggers.