July 07, 2025
After an art exhibition in East Austin, we joined friends for burgers on the covered patio at Lou’s Eastside. A collection of upcycled containers filled with cactus, succulents, and even native trees like retama immediately grabbed my notice.
Aztec murals on the building are a holdover from when this used to be a neighborhood tire store.
Stacked tire planters — filled with yucca, agave, prickly pear, and zexmenia — nod to the tire-store history too. I wonder if these are also an example of defensive landscaping, buffering the walk-up counter-service window from the busy street.
A peeled-back tire makes a sunburst planter for sun-loving succulents and cacti.
Traditional pots are here too.
An old metal bin by the restrooms holds a retama tree, giant hesperaloe, and small cacti — all extremely heat and drought tolerant.
Round pots with an assortment of agave, cactus, and other succulents add L.A. style in front of a crossvine “hedge.”
A yellow urn-shaped tire planter holds a matching golden barrel cactus.
A few more
It’s nice when a burger joint has a container garden to enjoy on the patio too.
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