October 29, 2025
Following the migratory route of monarch butterflies, I drove south on October 16, bound for Quinta Mazatlan, a nature and birding center near the southern tip of Texas. I was invited to give the keynote talk at the annual Planta Nativa VIP Night, and it was my second time to speak, so I knew it would be a wonderful evening of celebrating native plants of South Texas.
Sticks & Bones Trail
More about that in a moment. But first, in the spirit of the season, let’s take a spooky stroll through the Sticks & Bones Trail, which was all set up for a Halloween event. Giant skeletons and pumpkins greeted me at the start.
Soon I was in a nest of spiders!
Shrunken-head Bobs from Beetlejuice sat trailside.
Next came a Jack-o’-lantern tunnel. Notice the bendy tree snaking its way through the middle.
“The Golden Couple” rode by in a spectral carriage.
How do you do?
Instead of horses, skeleton roosters pulled the carriage!
In a snaky section, serpent skeletons draped from beaded chandeliers…
…and around tree trunks.
A chorus line of skeleton frogs greeted me on a bridge over a dry creek.
There were skull-topped bottle trees…
…a witch-hat thicket…
…and skulls on sticks. The thematic decorating was really good, and I could imagine how spooky it would be by flashlight — but all in good fun.
Along a stream, a skeleton fisherman was trying his luck, while skeleton anglerfish came right out of the water for him.
A skeleton Willie Nelson was strumming his guitar.
Hear no evil, see no evil, and speak no evil was given skeleton form too.
Even sunflowers got the skeleton treatment.
Creepy good
Little Red Riding Hood and a skeleton Big Bad Wolf closed out the trail. My, what big teeth you have!
Marigold streamers and a child-sized gateway through an owl made a festive exit.
Nature trail
During my stroll, I enjoyed non-Halloween moments too, like this round pool, half hidden and designed to attract wildlife.
Honeybees were swarming in an owl box high in a tree.
And I spotted a few green jays at a platform feeder. What a beautiful bird! It’s found in Central and South America, but its range stretches up to South Texas too.
Gift shop
In the main building, I admired a framed picture of a green jay.
The jay appears on T-shirts in the gift shop too.
Oh look — it’s my book The Water-Saving Garden! I recently learned this book is out of print, even though there’s still plenty of interest in the topic, at least here in Texas. In fact, my remaining WSG books to sell were snapped up at my earlier talks this fall. Too bad it’s out of print, but it is still available as an e-book.
Planta Nativa VIP Night
Before my talk for Planta Nativa, I held a book signing in the courtyard — my very first with my new book, Gardens of Texas. It was so nice to talk with visitors and send books out into the world.
I was delighted to see these two ladies again: Betty Perez, a rancher and native-plant botanist, and Colleen Hook, the executive director of Quinta Mazatlan. They’re each on a mission to promote South Texas native plants and restore thorn-forest habitat for wildlife in the Rio Grande Valley.
It was also a treat to see Shakera Raygoza and her daughter Shakera at the event. Their organic farm in Edinburg, Terra Preta Farm, is featured in Gardens of Texas. I’m so impressed by the work they do, the community they’ve built, and the help they give other young farmers like themselves.
At last it was time for my “Gardens of Texas” presentation.
It was wonderful to show examples of the gorgeous and resilient gardening going on across Texas. I talked about how the garden makers are adapting to our increasingly challenging climate while building habitat, creating beauty, and sharing joy in the process.
My appreciation to everyone who came out for my talk and/or bought a book. I met so many lovely people that evening! And big thanks to Colleen and John Brush for inviting me.
Next chapter
One last scene from Quinta Mazatlan — a big addition is in the works that will effectively double the size of the grounds and make it “a premiere destination for birders from around the world.” A new amphitheater, adventure garden, trails, and native plantings — even the parking lot will be planted, Colleen told me — will transform the experience of visiting.
According to Texas Architect:
“The existing eastern land will continue to serve serious birdwatchers through a system of winding paths in the dense and serene forest. The undeveloped land to the west will be transformed into a native adventure garden, designed by Austin-based Ten Eyck Landscape Architects, complete with over a mile of walkable paths and interactive water features. This active development also includes a large ‘parking garden’ that aims to set the tone for future surface parking in the region.”
I look forward to a return visit to see it one day.
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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’ll make a great holiday gift for anyone who loves gardens or the natural beauty of Texas. More info here.
Come see me on tour! I’m speaking in cities across Texas to celebrate the release of Gardens of Texas. Appearances in November include: The Antique Rose Emporium in Brenham on 11/1; Garden Spark in Austin on 11/6; Travis County Open Day Tour at Belmont Pkwy Garden in Austin on 11/8; Redenta’s Garden Shop in Dallas on 11/15; North Haven Gardens in Dallas on 11/16; Wichita River Native Plant Society of Texas in Wichita Falls on 11/17; Grapevine Garden Club in Grapevine on 11/18, and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin on 11/22. Join me to learn, be inspired, and get a signed copy of the book!
Nov. 6: 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. The next talk on 11/6 is my own — a presentation on resilient Texas gardens! Tickets available here. Subscribe to Garden Spark by clicking here to email — subject line: SUBSCRIBE.
Nov. 8: Tour 5 Austin gardens on the Open Day Tour for Travis County, sponsored by the Garden Conservancy. I’ll be at the Belmont Parkway Garden with a book-signing table for Gardens of Texas, so come say hi! Tickets for each garden must be purchased online in advance, and some gardens limit attendance, so reserve your spot early. Find full details and ticket links here.
All material © 2025 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
