Green Garden

Facing increased demand for water and measurable chemical impacts to our creeks and aquifer that are caused by landscaping practices, the City of Austin's Green Garden demonstrates attractive, yet environmentally-sound, alternatives for Austinites. Featuring native and adapted plants, this garden showcases designs by nine different designers that can be adapted to the home landscape. Homeowners can learn which plants work well together and learn light and space requirements for each. Designs range from colorful, seasonal gardens, to traditional, evergreen styles, and a natural, wildlife habitat.

Major components of a Green Garden include:

• Austin-hardy plants (natives and adapteds) that require fewer pesticides and less water
• Appropriate turf varieties to limit water, maintenance and fertilizer needs
• Compost, and/or Dillo Dirt, to recycle waste products while providing nutrients
• Trees to reduce energy needs and improve air quality
• Don't bag lawn clippings to reduce waste in the landfills and replenish nutrients to the lawn
• Reduce pavement to allow water to filter into the yard and avoid runoff to the street

Several interesting features can be found in the Green Garden area. The members of Xi Zeta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi gave the antique iron gates marking the entrance to this garden in memory of Dr. Dorothy Schons. The statue of Saint Francis of Assisi is set on a pedestal of natural rock and was donated by the Catholic Women's Study Club of America. An interesting footnote to the choice of subject is that Franciscan monks built a mission at Barton Springs in the 1730s but abandoned it due to constant raiding by "hostile Indians". The Peace Aviary features a fanciful castle birdcage in black wrought iron forged by Louis Herrera Sr., whose son worked on the entry gates to the gardens.