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When Robert and Paula Beard bought their southwest
Austin home four years ago, it looked like most traditional
suburban landscapes – filled with St. Augustine grass
and few shrubs. |
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Today however, the original yard is barely recognizable
as native and adapted plants soften the facade and provide
color and interest at every corner. |
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Because Robert
lets the remaining patch of St. Augustine
grow
tall and
the front yard is well shaded by a large
pecan tree,
the grass never needs watering.
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Walking into the backyard
however is an unexpected
adventure as cactus, yucca and
colorful perennials
have replaced all the St. Augustine. |
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The plants
are mostly Robert’s domain,
but Paula enhances the setting with art, a lot of which she’s
collected from “throwaways” on brush and bulky
pickup days. The broken chimenea now houses a plant and
the rattan stool support a small cactus garden. |
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The galvanized
pots add splashes of color throughout
the yard and the
many birdhouses and birdbaths
attract a variety of wildlife. |
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The Indian plaque positioned
over the Turk’s Cap give an Eastern feel to one corner
of the garden while the sun sculpture peeks out from behind
12’ tall sunflowers. |
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Paula also makes tea from the Mulleins that sprouted up
in several areas of the yard. |
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Robert's wide
variety of plants attracts interesting wildlife. |
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When asked about their approach to their
landscape,
Paula said that they are proud to be different! |
