Desert Gardening 101
  • Home
  • About
  • Classes
  • Consultations
  • Speaking
  • Book
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Menu Menu
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Pinterest
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Youtube

Tag Archive for: living picture frame

Garden Inspiration: Southwest Style

Cactus/Succulents, Containers, Garden Travels, Landscape Design, Perennial, Southwest Texas garden
A boot planter adds a touch of whimsy to a patio table.

A boot planter adds a touch of whimsy to a patio table.

Exploring Southwest Garden Style Inspiration

I am always on the lookout for new ideas to use in outdoor spaces and on a recent trip to Austin, Texas, I toured 17 different gardens and came away filled with garden inspiration Southwest garden style. 

Southwest Garden Style: A Personal Touch

A garden’s style is a reflection of the owner and because everyone is unique, so is the way that they decorate their landscape. I confess that I saw several ideas that I felt representative of my taste and am contemplating replicating them in my garden or recommending them for my clients.

These ideas may inspire you to enhance your own landscape or recommend them to your clients if you’re a gardening enthusiast.

Southwest Garden Style Inspirations

1. Living Art: Wooden Picture Frames Adorned with Plants

One delightful feature I discovered was wooden picture frames filled with live plants, adorning a garden fence. This artistic touch adds charm to any Southwest garden.

These ideas may inspire you to enhance your own landscape or recommend them to your clients if you’re a gardening enthusiast.

Wooden picture frames filled with live plants adorn a fence.  Southwest garden style

Wooden picture frames filled with live plants adorn a fence is Southwest garden style

2. Gazebo Oasis: Creating a Cozy Outdoor Retreat

I fell in love with a gazebo nestled in Colleen Jamison’s backyard. Furnished with comfortable seating and even a chandelier, it’s a dreamy space that I aspire to recreate in my own garden someday.

 I fell in love with the gazebo in Colleen Jamison's backyard. Filled with comfortable furniture and even a chandelier, I hope to create something similar in my back garden someday.  Southwest garden style

I fell in love with the gazebo in Colleen Jamison’s backyard. Filled with comfortable furniture and even a chandelier, I hope to create something similar in my back garden someday.

3. Illuminating Elegance: Candelabra and Mirrors

Within the gazebo, a candelabra graces a side table, casting a warm glow. Mirrors strategically placed throughout the garden reflect its beauty, creating the illusion of a larger outdoor space.

 A candelabra graces a side table underneath the shade of the gazebo while mirrors reflect other areas of the garden.  Southwest garden style

A candelabra graces a side table underneath the shade of the gazebo while mirrors reflect other areas of the garden.

4. Reflective Charm: Mirrors in Shady Spaces

The simple inclusion of a mirror in shaded areas can work wonders, reflecting the garden’s other side and enhancing its visual appeal.

The simple inclusion of a mirror reflects the other side of the garden and creates the illusion of a larger outdoor space. This works well in shady areas.  Southwest garden style

The simple inclusion of a mirror reflects the other side of the garden and creates the illusion of a larger outdoor space. This works well in shady areas.

5. Whimsical Welcome: Garden Gate with a Unique Handle

A garden gate with a handle crafted from a hand cultivator adds a whimsical touch to the entryway, embodying the spirit of Austin’s “keep it weird” campaign.

A unique handle for a door - a hand cultivator welded to the garden gate. Southwest garden style

A unique handle for a door – a hand cultivator welded to the garden gate.

6. Artistic Garden Sculptures

One garden featured a stone head adorned with Mexican feather grass, creating a striking and artistic focal point.

A stone head spouts a full head of hair made from Mexican feather grass (Nassella tennuisma).  Southwest garden style

A stone head spouts a full head of hair made from Mexican feather grass (Nassella tennuisma).

7. Playful Entrance: Skull and Prickly Pear Cactus

Embrace creativity with a garden doorway graced by a skull and a prickly pear cactus, making a memorable first impression.

Keeping with the "keep Austin weird" campaign, a garden doorway is graces with a skull and a prickly pear cactus.  Southwest garden style

Keeping with the “keep Austin weird” campaign, a garden doorway is graces with a skull and a prickly pear cactus.

8. Curved Path of Discovery

A curved garden path leads visitors on a journey of discovery, punctuated by large concrete balls that add a unique visual element.

A curved garden path leads visitors on a journey of discovery with large concrete balls dotting the way.  Southwest garden style

A curved garden path leads visitors on a journey of discovery with large concrete balls dotting the way.

9. Upside Down Planters: Gravity-Defying Charm

An upside-down planter hanging from a tree, showcasing flowering impatiens, defies gravity and adds a cool, unexpected element to the garden.

An upside down planter hangs from a tree with flowering impatiens. I don't know how the plant stays in without falling out, but it's cool!  Southwest garden style

An upside down planter hangs from a tree with flowering impatiens. I don’t know how the plant stays in without falling out, but it’s cool!

10. Container Brilliance: Pots as Decorative Elements

Large, colorful containers can serve as focal points in the garden, even when they don’t contain plants. Explore the beauty of decorative outdoor pots.

A large colorful, container is the focal point behind a swimming pool. Pots don't need to have plants inside them to add beauty to the garden. Pots can serve as a decorative outdoor element.  Southwest garden style

A large colorful, container is the focal point behind a swimming pool. Pots don’t need to have plants inside them to add beauty to the garden. Pots can serve as a decorative outdoor element.

11. Pear Arbor: Rustic Elegance

Four pear trees form an arbor over a rustic dining table, creating a tranquil outdoor dining experience. These trees were trained onto a rebar structure, adding rustic charm.

Four pear trees form an arbor over a rustic dining table. The trees were planted 5 years ago and trained onto a basic structure created from rebar.  Southwest garden style

Four pear trees form an arbor over a rustic dining table. The trees were planted 5 years ago and trained onto a basic structure created from rebar.

12. Burst of Color: Planters, Cushions, and Outdoor Carpet

Pam Penick’s garden demonstrates that color doesn’t only come from plants. Add vibrancy using planters, cushions, and outdoor carpets to create a lively atmosphere.

Color doesn't only from plants in Pam Penick's garden - she adds interest with vibrant hues using planters, cushions, and outdoor carpet.  Southwest garden style

Color doesn’t only from plants in Pam Penick’s garden – she adds interest with vibrant hues using planters, cushions, and outdoor carpet.

Summer in my desert garden is a time to enjoy its beauty from the air-conditioned comfort of my home. Yet, it’s also when I plan and dream of what I would like to add to it when the weather cools in fall.

Metal stars are on display, framed by star jasmine vine (Trachelospermum jasminoides).  Southwest garden style

Metal stars are on display, framed by star jasmine vine (Trachelospermum jasminoides).

Embrace Garden Inspiration and Inspire Beauty

While garden inspiration was in plentiful supply during my visit to Austin, it can also be found in other places such as a roadside planting, a local business’s landscape, a favorite magazine, or perhaps even in your neighbor’s front yard. I encourage you to keep your eyes open to possibilities of what you can do with your outdoor space.

White Flowering Plants for the Southwest Landscape: Part 1

https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_0466.jpg 800 640 arizonaplantlady@gmail.com https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AZ-Plant-Lady-Logo-small.jpg arizonaplantlady@gmail.com2018-06-03 08:03:022023-10-09 15:48:56Garden Inspiration: Southwest Style

Get My Free Guide to Gardening in the Desert

You’ll receive helpful tips from me in your inbox. I write these with you in mind to help you succeed in the desert garden. I will never share your information with anyone else, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Privacy Policy

Connect With Me!

  • Amazon
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

noelle-johnson-az-plant-ladyNoelle Johnson: AZ PLANT LADY®

Author, Horticulturist, Landscape Consultant & Lover of Blue Pots

Check out my popular online classes!

Have a Question? Search Past Posts

Want More Tips? Connect with me in my Facebook Group!

 

Shrub Pruning Booklet: Say “No” to ball, square & cupcake-shaped shrubs!

Spiral-bound pruning guide booklet for shrubs

Product of the Month: Leather Gardening Gloves

 

Spring is the busiest time of year for pruning plants. Are your hands ready? A good pair of leather gloves is really important. My Bamllum gloves have a good grip and offer great protection.

 

Amazon Disclosure

AZ Plant Lady, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees.

Privacy & Policy, Disclaimer & Disclosure

 

“…and the desert shall rejoice and blossom.” Isaiah 35:1

© 2008-2025
Noelle Johnson
All Rights Reserved.

Popular Classes and Membership Club

desert gardening 101 class logo

Shop for My Recommended Garden Products:

Sign-Up For My Free Guide to Gardening in the Desert!

I promise not to sell or share your email with anyone ever!

*Please note that I cannot answer individual gardening questions.

Privacy Policy

Order My Newest Book!

The Water-Smart Garden Book

My Award-Winning Book!

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

© Copyright 2025 - azplantlady.com       Privacy Policy · Disclaimer · Sitemap
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Pinterest
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Youtube
Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT