Gardens of Texas: In Conversation with Houston Gardeners

Texas gardens are shaped by long, hot summers, drought-and-flood cycles, and other unpredictable weather extremes. In this exclusive panel conversation, author Pam Penick will bring owners of four Houston gardens featured in her new book, Gardens of Texas, to the stage to talk about how their gardens have taken shape over time. Through informal, interview-style discussions, the gardeners will share what they’ve learned about making inviting outdoor spaces, choosing plants, supporting wildlife, and tending gardens that are both resilient and deeply personal. Expect practical insights and local perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else, and a close look at the beauty of gardens grown in harmony with place.

The Garden will be providing some light snacks and sparkling water, and attendees are welcome to BYOB to enjoy during the event.

Non-member Ticket Price: $40
Member Ticket Price: $30

Pam Penick will be selling and signing copies of her book prior to and immediately following the panel discussion.

Featured gardens:

Houston Botanic Garden offers free parking for this special event, which will be held rain or shine. If you have specific questions, please email education@hbg.org.

About Gardens of Texas: Visions of Resilience from the Lone Star State

From colorful pollinator gardens to native meadows, and from edible gardens to contemporary jewel boxes, Gardens of Texas showcases the stunning range of garden landscapes flourishing across the state. With over 600 breathtaking photographs, it’s a visual celebration of 27 remarkable gardens, each a testament to the creativity, grit, and passion of Texans who are redefining what is possible.

Award-winning writer Pam Penick brings these uniquely Texan landscapes to life through in-depth conversations with the garden makers. Discover how they are adapting to heat, drought, cold snaps, and the changing climate—turning challenges into opportunities.

Both inspirational and informative, Gardens of Texas proves that extraordinary gardens are not just possible across the Lone Star State—they are thriving.

About Pam Penick

Pam Penick is a Texas garden writer, speaker, and advocate for climate-resilient design. She’s the author of Gardens of Texas, Lawn Gone!, and The Water-Saving Garden, and the voice behind Digging, her influential website about gardening in a hot climate. A former landscape designer, Pam now tends her own garden under live oaks in northwest Austin, keeping an eye out for screech owls and foxes but wishing for fewer deer. She also leads Garden Spark, a speaker series that brings bold ideas in design and ecology to the Austin gardening community.