Friday, July 13, 2018

Austin loves its steel...

Yesterday's "from Austin" post (here) featured some of the largest steel planters I've ever seen. When it comes to steel planters in general — no matter the size — I have to say, Austin loves them...

These (above and below) were just a couple blocks from our hotel. I would really love this one in my garden...

I should I have tried to get a better shot of these, are those plants real?

This one was spotted on a walk up to the Capitol building our second day in town.

And this one, on a walk to dinner another night.

On our final Austin afternoon we walked the length of hip South Congress Ave, where there were many examples of great steel planters...even sticker covered stock tanks.

And rusty cylinders.

These may have been metal?

Perhaps painted after they got this treatment.

I remember several tales told to me by David Cristiani, about how his past clients fear putting anything spiky where the public might have a chance to come in contact with it. Obviously that's not a concern here...

Okay there is a short metal planter on the left, but really I wanted to share the sign. Evidently it's a bit of a local legend.

The other side.

More steel outside the Yeti flagship store...

Am I right? Austin loves its steel...

Weather Diary, July 12: Hi 97, Low 65/ Precip 0

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

20 comments:

  1. Maybe corten steel is less expensive in Texas? I do love the look.

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    1. A lot of it isn't even Corten-- we just use a cheaper thick gauge steel because it'll take 20 years to rust out and many clients are fine with that timeline.

      I'm actually really curious to see whether the &(*&$^%% Trump steel tariffs visibly affect our love and use of steel everywhere. Prices have gone up considerably, and my friends who work for developers say it's really having an effect on what they can build.

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    2. I love the look too, and it would be sad to think such a perfect material for landscapes will be used less.

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  2. Austin seems like a strange place for Yetis to set up shop. Ok, had to make that joke. My first thought with that motel sign was, "That motel is giving me the finger." Then I saw the "Let love in," and thought, "Maybe that's not a finger..."

    Ok, enough of that. Plants! I love the asparagus fern in the planter on the way to the Capitol building. You don't see Asparagus retrofractus often here in the houseplant sections. I haven't even been to Austin, yet I don't think I could imagine it without spiky plants in the public areas.

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    1. My thoughts on the sign took approximately the same arc that yours did. And yes....spiky plants everywhere!

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  3. I wonder if they use so much steel because it can take the heat and weather they have. If money were no object I would do a garden with lots of corten steel.

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    1. From a landscaper perspective, it's also nice to not have to dig the kind of footings required for, say, a masonry wall!

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    2. Excellent points, both of you. But as others have mentioned it must get mighty hot for the roots?

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  4. I had the same series of thoughts as Evan. Dirty minds think alike. Doesn't metal get really really hot in all that sunshine? Forget the spikes, I'd be more afraid of touching the container. It's interesting, I had a similar conversation with Katherine Tracey of Avant Gardens, when I asked why she didn't have any Agaves in her fabulous succulent house. She said she had gotten complaints from customers about getting poked.

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    1. I don't understand people's fear of spikes. Just be careful!

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  5. Thank you for this post! I had not really tracked on all the steel planters but they are very cool. I can totally see that one in your garden! I like the low one on top of the limestone wall. Saving this post for future design ideas!

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    1. Yay, glad to share a little inspiration.

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  6. What a fun motel sign. No wonder it's a local legend. Joining the chorus of dirty minds. All that steel, all those spiky plants; you must have been in heaven!

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    1. Indeed. So many fabulous plantings everywhere I looked!

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  7. The steel is Trendy and Stylish, but all I can think is that plant roots must cook in the heat from that metal. Wince.

    Naughty sign, especially accompanied by "let the love in". Ha ha!

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    1. I know the soil on the sunshine side of my driveway stock tanks does get VERY hot.

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  8. Gorgeous! I loved all of Austin's use of spiny plants in public places. Maybe it can teach people to pay attention/not destroy plants like I always see in other cities. Plants can fight back!

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    1. Plants that fight back....yes! Exactly why I have Yucca in my hellstrip. Take that you little soccer players!

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  9. Re: spikes in public... I wonder if it being Texas, litigation might be a bit different. Reputably, Texans are tough, right? ;)

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  10. The steel planters are really awesome and all the spiky plants too. They shout out loud, "Look..but don't touch!"

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