February 23, 2026
Blushing orange tulips greeted me last week in Houston in my friend Amy’s garden. Spring hadn’t yet cracked open buds on trees and perennials. But oh, those tulips — such impractical magic!
Amy told me her designer, David Morello, plants a handful of tulip bulbs each fall in large terracotta pots as part of his maintenance of the garden. The orange-on-orange flowers warm up the garden in early spring, and it doesn’t take many to make an impact.
With her hot-pink shirt, Amy was giving spring vibes herself.
Meet the Author event at Rice University
That evening, Amy and I appeared together at Rice University for a Meet the Author event coordinated by Rice Alumni and Friends of Fondren. In front of a full room (plus a Zoom audience) of alums and other attendees, with Amy leading the conversation as moderator, I shared about my years at Rice and how my writing career and new book evolved.
Amy and I go way back — to our freshman year of college — so it felt especially meaningful to sit beside her and reminisce before a crowd of Rice Owls. I pointed out that three of the featured gardens in my book belong to alumnae: Amy’s in Houston, Dacia Napier’s in San Antonio, and my own in Austin. Gardening Owls across Texas!
Back in the late ’80s, I never would have guessed I’d return to Rice as a featured author. But if I had, I’m quite sure I’d have pictured Amy right there with me, cheering me on. Thanks, Amy!
Thank you to Friends of Fondren and executive director Mary Lowery for inviting me and putting on such a lovely event. And thanks to everyone who came out — friends, fellow Owls, and local garden lovers — to celebrate Texas gardens with us.
Heading to San Antonio
A quick note to say on Saturday I’m heading to an event at San Antonio Botanical Garden. If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll join me. And if you have garden-loving friends in San Antonio, please share the word!
February 28, 1-3 pm – San Antonio Botanical Garden
Join me for a “Gardens of Texas” presentation and discover practical strategies and inspiration for creating gardens with the resilience to weather Texas’s extreme climate. I’ll have books available for sale and signing too. This event is free with admission or Garden membership! Reservations recommended due to limited space. Reserve your spot here.
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Digging Deeper
My new book, Gardens of Texas: Visions of Resilience from the Lone Star State, is here! Find it on Amazon, other online book sellers, and in stores everywhere. It’s for anyone who loves gardens or the natural beauty of Texas. More info here.
Come see me on tour! I’ll be speaking and hosting book events across Texas this spring to celebrate the release of Gardens of Texas. Join me to learn, get inspired, and say hello!
Learn about garden design and ecology at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. Subscribe to Garden Spark by clicking here to email — subject line: SUBSCRIBE.
All material © 2026 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
