Suggestions for garden center/nursery knowledgeable about Hill Country gardening (Austin: house hunting, sick)

[romesq]

I'm armed now with several books on how to garden in the Hill Country. So far, looks like I can unlearn all I know about gardening in NOLA.

Anybody growing camellia japonicas or camellia sasanquas in Barton Creek area or other areas west? Have been advised to forget about my beloved azaleas here. Perhaps I can substitute oleanders for them? Any thoughts on these plants?

And what is it with the flamingoes all over the slope at 2244 and 360? Obviously a nursery but flamingoes? Homesick Floridian perhaps? Or Austin Weird?

[mckg]

Hey romesq -

Congrats on making the move - we've posted on a couple threads as my husband and I are also making the move to Austin. I plan to visit Zilker Botanical Garden as soon as we're settled next January (arrive tomorrow to househunt) and check into their master gardener program. I participated in that program in Virginia a few years back and it's a fab resource for gardeners. As part of the program, one is required to volunteer hours. I used to sit at the regional library once a month w/a couple other volunteers and try to help walk-ins identify plants, diagnose diseases or refer them to the appropriate source. I bet something like that exists in Austin, but I'll be interested to see what responses you get as I'll be in the same boat. Oleanders are great and drought-hardy, but they are toxic if eaten! Didn't know that when my kids were little but it was never an issue -- they didn't eat plants and the cat didn't get sick either!

Btw, did you check the gardening thread?

[romesq]

Thanks, Mckg. No, I did not think to check the gardening thread (general thread section, I presume), but thanks much for the tip. Your idea about Zilker sounds great as well. Will check that out. Know about oleanders but toxicity not an issue for us either. Have fun house hunting. We're very pleased with ours. Now, if we can just get our home in NOLA sold after hurricane season passes, we'll be Austinites full time! Good luck to you.

[love roses]

The natural gardener would be one place, or look online at Central Texas Gardener. They have a show on PBS, and it's all about local gardening. Their website is a great source of info.