New Orleans-inspired garden courtyard – Digging

January 28, 2026

Last November, I photographed several Austin gardens designed by landscape architect Curt Arnette of Sitio Design, who’s also an old friend and former neighbor. Between my book tour schedule and the holidays, I didn’t find time to edit those photos until January — an excellent winter project. With Curt’s and the owners’ permission, I’ll give you a peek into several beautifully designed private gardens by one of the most talented garden makers in Austin.

Let’s start with this New Orleans-inspired walled garden in central Austin. Recycled brick — faded red with a little gray and traces of old paint in robin’s egg blue — encloses a paved courtyard with a tiered fountain.

The splashing fountain muffles the noise of highway traffic a couple blocks away.

Green foliage — Texas dwarf palmetto, ‘Feather Falls’ sedge, foxtail fern — provides serene lushness. Nothing fussy here, just what works in a good deal of shade.

Creeping tendrils of fig ivy green up the walls.

An arched doorway with a lacy iron gate echoes three inset arches on the fountain wall.

A tall screen of green-black shutters hides something — maybe a utility box? — and adds more NOLA style.

Side view of the fountain

Graceful fountain detail

Elegant, white-cushioned seating on one side of the courtyard is shaded by yellow-trimmed green parasols. Curt added dark-green planter boxes atop the back wall for more height and privacy.

Under those lily pad-green parasols

Paving detail with greened-up silver ponyfoot

Palmetto, sedge, fig ivy, and the timeworn elegance of old New Orleans — what a magic trick for an Austin backyard.

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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.

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All material © 2026 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.