Texas is a beautiful place, and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to preserving that natural beauty. This 113 hectare centre features gardens of local plant life and native animals, including turtles and butterflies. It is located just 19 kilometres southeast of downtown Austin, and car is by far the easiest method of transport. Free parking is available.
Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady of the United States from 1963 through 1969 as the wife of President Lyndon Johnson, was concerned that the country was losing its natural beauty to urban development. In 1982 she, along with actress Helen Hayes, founded the National Wildflower Research Center. It later became the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
The centre’s philosophy is that native plants better support native wildlife—such as birds and butterflies—and it focuses on protecting North America’s native plants. They also help to preserve the water, protect the soil and limit the use of pesticides.
Enjoy a sunny afternoon at the centre, where you can really get out and enjoy nature. Walk along the entrance trail, through the stone arches of the aqueduct, and make your way through the gardens. Several varieties of trees grow here, including live oaks, cedar elms, and ashe junipers. Look up into the canopy to view fuzzy balls of moss growing there. Guests will soon arrive at the courtyard, which is the heart of the whole Center.
From the courtyard, visitors can easily spot the amenities: restrooms, a gift shop, and the Wildflower Café. This is the perfect spot to look over the map and decide on the best way to spend your day. Gardens beckon, trails await, and exhibits are ready to be explored. Check out the website for a calendar of events to see what is waiting to be discovered during your visit to Austin.
Take a hike up the Observation Tower, modelled on the watchtowers of Spanish missions, and enjoy a great spot with a view—perfect for taking photos of the stunning flowers in bloom just below. Spot turtles in the Wetland Pond or count the butterflies in the Ann and O. J. Weber Butterfly Garden. Walk through the displays to find inspiration for your own garden, and learn about the fascinating ways in which native plants adapt and survive.
