Garden 2
The Woodland Escape
An Oasis of Shade
Unique gardens among a forest of oak trees and natural habitat!
Garden History
Gardening in a forest can be magical but challenging. Sandy Stone’s two acres include 65+ mature live oaks, numerous cedar elms, and ash junipers. Practically all the property is shaded which dictates a palate of native and adapted plants like frostweed, inland sea oats, Turk’s cap, mountain laurel and American beautyberry that also tolerate high heat and dry conditions. Turf grass is nowhere to be found.
Much of the land remains in a natural, wild state with a series of garden rooms nestled throughout the Welcome Garden, Front Door Garden, Mom’s Garden, Dry Creek Garden, Promenade, and a Fairie Garden and Secret Hideout for kiddos. Rocks large and small dug from the property or souvenirs from vacations line pathways and provide structure. Metal sculptures by Sandy’s partner complement the plantings. Miniature birdhouses dot tree branches.
Since moving to the property in 2007, dense underbrush has been cleared, mostly by deer and drought. Compacted clay soil is now covered by a foot of good topsoil amended with compost and mulch. A dry creek bed provides drainage and a focal point. A 7,500-gallon rainwater collection system helps with irrigation, though it ran dry last June.
Sandy’s is a place of natural beauty. Light filtering through the canopy of trees gives the entire acreage a serene and secluded aura. A garden plaque, gifted by a friend, sums it all up: “All gardeners live in beautiful places because they make them so.”
Directions
Garden Address
10626 Creek View Drive
Austin, TX 78748
Special Instuctions
Follow directional signs to the gardens.