Tuesday, May 22, 2018

The garden of Jackson Broussard, a post GB Fling bonus

I was fortunate to tour a few additional Austin gardens, after the Fling proper wrapped up — one of those gardens was that of Jackson Broussard. Jackson (and his design company Sprout), was the designer of the Margie McClurg garden, which we visited on the final day of the Fling. I'll share photos of the McClurg garden later this week but could not wait to share images from Jackson's private garden. I was very inspired by what I saw and had a difficult time narrowing down my 159 photos to just these 56 (!)...

The hardscape was definitely the star of this garden, which is not to say the plants weren't fabulous, but the hardscape was impossible to outshine. Normally I would think that a bad thing, but not here.

Jackson covers concrete shapes with a mosaic of stone, metal, brick, glass...

...tile, and yes...

Even small metal cars.

The front walkway to the house (which Jackson grew up in, and then moved back to and now rents out) is bordered by a lush lawn.

With a private patio up near the house.

And low walls, covered with his mosaic work.

This vignette really captured my attention. The leaf shapes, colors, and metal accents. The restraint!

The "driveway" leads to the open carport, behind which is a two story home Jackson built for himself.

Before we head into the carport, the plants must be admired. I neglected to inquire about which Yucca that is, but love it's contrast with the dark-leaved Cotinus. A combination right from my front garden!

And as I came to expect during my time in Austin, a beautiful specimen Agave ovatifolia.

It turns out the carport isn't for cars, but for people...

As Pam said when she shared a similar image on Instagram "Opuntia as work of art"...

Now we've walked through the carport and are admiring the entrance to Jackson's home.

Seeing the not-yet-covered concrete was fascinating.

I wonder if there are plans for plants to be added to the metal urns?

The backside...

Plant close-ups, from those on the concrete "stage" to the side of the entrance columns.

The consistency of materials throughout the garden — no matter how they're used — was something I really appreciated. The same attention to detail was reflected in the plants, strong greens with yellow and purple, just a few flowers...I could have studied the details here for hours.

Water bowls were a reoccurring theme in Austin gardens. I wonder how they keep mosquitoes from breeding here? Frequent water changes?

Green on green, masterfully executed.

Finally it was time to check out the back garden. Adorable Daisy-Mae had been patiently waiting for us the entire time.

Did I mention she's adorable?

I wonder if the decorative metal is meant to obscure the landscape lighting, or to cast interesting shadows? Maybe both?

The angled deck along the side of Jackson's house...

Now that's a screened porch!

And this! (want) I wonder if the small block is so that Daisy-Mae can take a drink?

So simple, so perfect.

Seeing the lines in the side of the concrete here (from the boards that formed the "form") I started to wonder if maybe the columns back by the house entry weren't partially complete, maybe that's as far as he wants to go? Maybe seeing some of the concrete exposed is part of the plan?

Stepping around the back of the house...

And around the next corner, you discover an outdoor shower.

With a decorative swinging door.

Naturally I peeked inside. Then I wondered about the fence, there are small cracks between the posts, I think I'd require a little more privacy.

Retracing my steps to the seating area behind the pond.

Gate to the park-like space that borders the property (and now I realized I did not get a proper portrait of that gorgeous Agave ovatifolia in the pot)...

I'm not savvy enough to know if that's a smoker, or a bbq...

Ditto here, but either way I bet there's some tasty meals created in this garden. Oh look who snuck into the photo...

She has her own arched doorway into the massive Pittosporum (I think that's what that is?).

Looking across the deck, lawn, and back to the original house.

It seems every garden in Austin has a massive old tree, providing shade from the death-star...

Looking back towards the seating area and outdoor cooking stations.

I wish I could remember what Jackson told us about the bell, I want to say it came from his grandmother's school, but I can't be certain.

Seeing Daisy-Mae wriggling on the lawn brought back memories of Lila doing the same, although not for a long while. Just laying down had become painful enough for her in the final months of her life.

Extra tennis balls were tucked into the deck fencing, you never know when you'll need one.

Farfugium was another repeated element in the Austin gardens we toured. I was surprised, thinking it would require more water than they'd be willing to give it. Oh and they all were flawless, no slug feeding to mar those big beautiful leaves.

Heading back through the rebar-gate...

And through the shady carport into the bright front garden.

Before left I scanned the neighbor's lots for signs of other gardeners. Simple but stylish...

And cramscaped, not to shabby! Hope you enjoyed your photo-tour of Jackson's garden even half as much as I enjoyed touring it.

Weather Diary, May 21: Hi 73, Low 50/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

24 comments:

  1. omg, yes, so much to admire/steal! I love how the best Austin gardens have stripped it all down to the essentials as far as plants, cherishing their trees and shrubs, and then have such a freewheeling good time with hardscape -- design rebels fighting the Death Star!

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  2. Great stuff. Two words that stayed with me: mosaic and restraint. It may very well be that the exposed columns are meant to remain that way, and it's fascinating to get a glimpse into process of creating them. How does he manage not to cram more plants into every exposed spot... the purple clover gets to shine.

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    1. I wonder his client gardens are where the plants run free, thus he has the ability to remain restrained at home?

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  3. I wish this garden had been on the regular fling tour (or that I'd stayed longer) but I'm glad you and Pam have shared your photos. In addition to Daisy-Mae, I love those wall and other stone-brick-concrete amalgamate structures. All of a sudden I found myself wondering if I could do something like that...

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    1. I think the planners inquired about having this garden on the Fling, but Jackson was too busy with work projects to get it ready (although gosh, it looked pretty darn perfect to me).

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    2. Actually, Jackson agreed to have it on tour, and we desperately wanted it to be, but it was too far afield from our other gardens to make it fit with the bus routing schedule. One of those difficult logistical decisions.

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  4. The hardscape and plants sing a beautiful duet together in this garden creating a harmony pleasing to lovers of both.

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    1. The choral director in you speaks....

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  5. Jackson put the small stone block by the pond so that his niece can climb up to see the fish when she visits.

    His garden is indeed a model of restraint, and yet it is full of eye-catching detail and plants. I love his style.

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    1. Well that's almost as much fun to picture as Daisy-Mae using it.

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  6. You said it: details! Like the bamboo mulched with the patio gravel so it appears to emerge from the patio itself. Great stuff!

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  7. A very stylish garden, full of wonder and comfort.

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  8. It’s rare to see such restraint and cohesion in a garden. Proves he’s a pro.

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  9. Wonderful walk through his creation. Thanks for sharing it with us!

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  10. Something new & original! I love it!

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  11. I saw this post yesterday but didn't have the brain capacity to really pay attention or put sentences together to comment (jet lag). What a great garden! The mosaics really speak to me, especially those little cars. I wish I could practice this much planting restraint. And oh, for the beauty of that un-slug-eaten Farfugium! Thanks for sharing your photos.

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  12. Excellent use of pavers/bricks/concrete scraps. Many great details, like the concrete water feature. Thanks for showing us this great garden! (And Daisy Mae--what a cutie!)

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  13. Just a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design.

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