Spring Garden Updates with New Native Gardens

Today, we caught up with Jackson Giles, one half of New Native Gardens, an Austin born boutique plant design company. We talked about the latest trends, Austin-specific design and style, the team’s inspiration, and creative ways to refresh your interiors and exteriors with a thoughtful touch.

Keep reading to check out our interview.

"New Native Gardens is a boutique plant design company based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to creating intentional, artistic greenery for homes and businesses. We specialize in high-end container plantings—both indoors and out—thoughtfully designed to enhance spaces while thriving in Texas’ unique climate. Our services range from one-time custom installations to ongoing plant care and maintenance, ensuring every design stays vibrant and beautiful over time."

"We founded New Native Gardens in 2020 after recognizing a gap between traditional landscaping and true plant design. Most landscaping companies focus on lawns and large-scale plantings, but few treat plants as an extension of interior and exterior design. We take a different approach—curating plant compositions that not only thrive but also elevate a space aesthetically."

"What sets us apart is our deep understanding of plant care, our focus on sculptural, sophisticated container arrangements, and our commitment to long-term maintenance. We don’t just install plants; we ensure they remain a living, evolving part of a home or business, blending art and nature in a way that’s both functional and beautiful."

"We don’t chase trends, but we stay aware of them—always with the goal of creating designs that feel timeless rather than fleeting. Our inspiration comes from architecture, interior design, and nature itself. Whether it’s the rugged beauty of West Texas, the layered textures of Japanese gardens, or the muted tones of desert landscapes, we take cues from environments that stand the test of time.

We also draw influence from European design philosophy, where plants are curated with the same care as the vessels they live in—balancing form, texture, and composition. In Austin, we translate that approach by pairing sculptural native plants with antique and vintage planters, adding layers of history and character to a space. The result is a collected, personal aesthetic where plants feel like an organic part of the home, rather than an afterthought."

"Before choosing plants, we always encourage homeowners to step back and consider the bigger picture—how the space interacts with the home’s architecture and overall style. The best designs feel like a natural extension of their surroundings, whether that means complementing existing elements or creating a subtle contrast.

One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is a move away from standalone planters toward layered groupings. A curated mix of pots in varying sizes and finishes creates a more intentional, collected look. When selecting plants, consider their form and compatibility with your site’s conditions—not just what looks good in the moment.

For full sun, we love resilient, sculptural plants like Yucca rostrata, prickly pear, and firestick pencil cactus, all of which thrive in Austin’s heat while making a bold visual statement. In shadier areas, we lean toward softer, more textural plants like Japanese maples, ferns, and Alocasia to add movement and depth.

The key to a successful refresh is intentionality—choosing plants, planters, and design elements that feel like they belong together, creating a space that evolves naturally with the seasons."

"One of the most common mistakes is designing for spring without considering how the plants will handle the intense Texas summer. Many homeowners fall in love with plants that thrive in mild weather but struggle once the heat arrives. The best approach is to plan for longevity—choosing plants that not only look good in spring but can also withstand the seasonal shifts ahead.

Scale is another issue. People often underestimate the size of their space and end up with planters that are too small to make an impact. In most cases, we recommend sizing up—larger planters create a stronger visual anchor and retain moisture better, which helps plants stay healthy.

Watering is also a factor that’s easy to overlook. A schedule that works in spring may not be enough when summer hits, so adjusting care routines as the weather changes is crucial.

Lastly, we encourage embracing seasonality rather than resisting it. Instead of trying to force plants to survive past their prime, view your garden as an evolving space. Swapping out cool-season flowers for heat-tolerant plants in summer keeps things fresh and allows for continuous renewal, making the garden feel dynamic rather than static."

"Achieving year-round greenery in Central Texas—where plants endure both extreme heat and occasional deep freezes—requires a mix of resilience and adaptability. Some of our go-to staples include Soft Leaf Yucca, Yucca rostrata, and Red Yucca, which provide structure while holding up to the elements. For evergreen presence, Blue Point Juniper and other upright junipers offer vertical interest and durability.

That said, we encourage homeowners to rethink the idea of year-round perfection. The most interesting gardens embrace seasonality, incorporating plants that thrive in different periods while allowing space for fresh plantings as conditions shift. Instead of forcing one solution, the goal should be a flexible design that anticipates change.

A well-thought-out plan considers not just temperature extremes but also lighting, drainage, and airflow. Sometimes, that means designing with movable planters to allow for seasonal transitions, collaborating with irrigation specialists for better water management, or having a plan to protect delicate plants when freezes occur.

The most beautiful year-round gardens strike a balance between permanence and impermanence—combining structural elements that anchor the space with seasonal refreshes that bring in new energy and character over time."

You can find us online at newnativegardens.com and on Instagram at @newnativegardens, where we share our latest designs. If you're in the Austin area and looking for a custom plant design, feel free to request a consultation through our website, call 512-266-6496 or email us at info@newnativegardens.com.