The 284-acre Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center features cultivated gardens, an arboretum, and managed natural areas in the transition zone between the Edwards Plateau and Texas Blackland Prairies ecoregions. It is home to nearly 900 species of native plants and is a national model for sustainable landscape design. A great post ahead.
The Center reflects Lady Bird Johnson’s unique legacy of beautifying Austin and her home state, Texas.
The Gardens
The gardens are a living legacy of former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson and showcase the beauty of native Central Texas plants and landscapes. She believed that the beauty of nature has the power to enlarge one’s imagination, relieve one’s mind, and restore one’s spirit.
With display gardens, family play gardens, and miles of trails the grounds are a paradise of wildflowers and native plant species. The botanical garden’s facilities are designed to sit lightly on the land and serve as a model of environmental sustainability.
It’s a wonderful day trip to enjoy the beauty of nature at this secluded paradise just 10 miles from downtown Austin.
The Arboretum
The 284-acre Wildflower Center is home to native plants in both garden and natural settings. It consists of cultivated gardens, an arboretum, managed natural areas, and wildlands that straddle the Edwards Plateau and Texas Blackland Prairies ecosystems.
The Central Gardens, opened in 1995, feature pollinator habitats, woodland spaces, water gardens, and homeowner design examples, among other things. You can also see native trees such as bigtooth maples and live oaks throughout the park.
Take a tour of the grounds or take in the Field of Light display with music headsets at Tuesday Twilight. This event is free for members and a great opportunity to enjoy the grounds with family and friends in the evening! Check it out here.
The Sculpture Garden
Former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson wanted America to regain its natural beauty, and her legacy lives on today at the Wildflower Center. Its mission revolves around researching and conserving native flowers, plants, and landscapes.
Among its many exhibits is the Field of Light, 16 acres of spindles of lights powered by solar power. The exhibit is immersive and draws visitors in by combining art, technology, and nature.
The Wildflower Center has a beautiful cafe and pretty rock architecture buildings to explore. There are garden walks and outdoor places to play as well as a great gift shop. There are also plenty of educational events and activities that you can attend.
The Pollinator Garden
Located southwest of Austin the Wildflower Center straddles the suburban and wildland interface. Its 279 acres support native plants and natural landscapes, with particular emphasis on the Edwards Plateau and Texas Blackland Prairie ecoregions.
Observe the landscape through the Observation Tower, built with beauty and function in mind. It serves as a 10,000-gallon cistern and offers spectacular views of the Hill Country.
Guests can walk through the pollinator garden to learn about the irreplaceable role insects play in the natural ecosystem. The Luci and Ian Family Garden is highly interactive featuring a native shrub maze, tree stumps to climb, and a walk-through Fibonacci spiral.
The Children’s Garden
Whether you’re in search of native bluebonnets, exploring the cypress-lined blackwater lagoons, or strolling the southwestern rock garden the Wildflower Center offers year-round experiences. Founded in 1982 by former first lady Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes the nationally-recognized Center is an example of a sustainable landscape.
Located 10 miles southwest of Austin the Center straddles the urban/wildland interface between the Edwards Plateau and Texas Blackland Prairies ecosystems. There is a wide variety of gardens, trails, and architecture reflecting the local culture. A cafe, a gift shop, and art exhibitions round out the facilities.
The Gift Shop
Former First Lady Claudia Alta Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson’s dedication to environmental conservation led her to create the Wildflower Center. The nonprofit research institution preserves native plants and promotes their use in planned landscapes around the country.
From summer camps to garden design classes, the center offers year-round educational opportunities for kids and adults. The museum also hosts events such as Luminations, which features thousands of paper lanterns illuminated by fiber-optic lights.
The 284-acre facility features cultivated gardens – including a butterfly garden, woodland space, water gardens, and homeowner design examples; plus meadows and natural areas with walking trails and land management research plots. Plant conservation efforts include a native seed bank, habitat restoration, and education. Check Out This Info.
Driving directions from Wise Coatings Austin to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Driving directions from Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to McKinney Falls State Park
