January 05, 2024
The Pond Backyard at Chanticleer attracts guests like a magnet. Water options at all times do. 5 ponds surrounded by blousy gardens are discovered on the backside of the lengthy hillside that begins on the backyard’s entrance. That is Half 6 of my go to to Chanticleer throughout the Philadelphia Space Fling final September.
I explored Chanticleer twice throughout the Fling — properly, as soon as earlier than the Fling started and once more throughout the soiree that Chanticleer handled us to. Lotuses have been trying otherworldly with their antennae-like seedpods and satellite-dish leaves.
Golden flowers stood tall…
…and stretched rayed petals like little suns.
Cleome providing up whiskery pink flowers
Through the late afternoon of my second go to, I noticed an excellent blue heron stalking koi. These koi are enormous, however perhaps there are smaller ones in there too?
Nonetheless as a statue, it waited on the pond’s edge. I waited and watched too.
The koi appeared to pay it no thoughts. May they see it?
Slowly it leaned over…
…able to strike…
…however after a couple of minutes it straightened again up. I watched for some time after which moved on. I’m afraid I’m not a lot of a hunter myself.
These koi are pleasant as canine after they suppose dinner is forthcoming.
A wisteria arbor overlooks the ponds, providing a shady retreat with throne-like chairs on the base of the hill.
Modern planters in a stacked composition overflow with a sedge waterfall.
The Pond Backyard path leads by an arching tree tunnel…
…and all the way down to a spring home, the place I noticed one other water bowl, this one containing a yellow waterlily and duckweed.
Close to the Asian Woods, a grassy path winds between the ponds and a display screen of tall bushes.
The wall of bushes opens as much as reveal a spherical glade, the place 4 chairs line up for a view of the Pond Backyard.
An ideal resting spot
Turning round, you’ve got a view all the way in which again as much as the large home.
Heading to the Gravel Backyard, I noticed a damaged grave marker set within the gravel path. “Trustworthy and True,” it reads, 1934 to 1938, and some letters of a reputation, maybe Dixie. A beloved pet of the Rosengartens, the unique house owners of Chanticleer, maybe?
Up subsequent: The gorgeous Gravel Backyard at Chanticleer. For a glance again on the shady Asian Woods at Chanticleer, click on right here:
To examine my previous visits to Chanticleer’s Pond Backyard, observe these hyperlinks:
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Hey, Austin-area gardeners, come study making a waterwise, Texas-hardy crevice backyard! Register for my subsequent Backyard Spark discuss with Coleson Bruce on January 18th. He’s created some of the attention-grabbing and delightful xeriscape gardens I’ve seen in Austin. Study all about it and hang around with fellow gardeners who’re interested by good design. Hope to see you there!
Come study backyard design from the specialists at Backyard Spark! I manage in-person talks by inspiring designers, panorama architects, and authors just a few instances a 12 months in Austin. These are limited-attendance occasions that promote out shortly, so be a part of the Backyard Spark e mail listing to be notified prematurely; merely click on this hyperlink and ask to be added. The Season 7 lineup will be discovered right here.
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