Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, TX: Texas's Botanic Garden and Native Plants

In 1982 Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes founded the National Wildflower Research Center, and later became the known as the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. In 2006, the Center became an organized research unit for the University of Texas in Austin.

The 279 acre public botanical garden is located 10 miles SW of downtown Austin, Texas.

As much as 30% of the world’s native flora is at risk of extinction. The plant conservation program protects the ecological heritage of Texas.

Wildflowers add beauty, provide habitat for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife, they help conserve water, and protect the soil. Native plants are hardy and are drought tolerant, because maintaining native plants requires less work; they are excellent choices for commercial landscapes.

The Wildflower Center - Austin TX

Has become a leader in native plant research and conservation. Plant conservation is a vital part of our eco system, such as oxygen, and carbon storage. Many plants species have been discovered that provide important anti-cancer drugs, anti-malarial drugs and many others. The center believes that there are many yet-to-be discovered plants for medicinal uses, and is dedicated to the preservation of seeds by collecting and storing more than 600 Texas Native plant species in the Wildflower center’s seed bank.

The Wildflower Center is dedicated to recruiting and training citizens that can participate in endangered species detection. The Center is also joining forces report invasive species with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection to detect pests.

Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin Texas 78739

512-232-0100

Hours

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Daily

$10 Adults

$8 seniors 65+

$4 Children 5-17

(prices subject to change without notice)

I have lived in the Austin Hill Country area for several years, and never took the time to visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. However, after several years of drought, we had some wonderful rainfall in the early spring of 2012. The ground soaked up the precious water and overnight Central Texas burst into an array of spectacular color. We had been in a drought for the past few years, and I had forgotten how beautiful Texas was in the spring, memories of my childhood 3^rd grade teacher talking about our Texas History and what an important roll Lady Bird Johnson played in the conservation of our wildflowers came to mind. My teacher said, “The Bluebonnets growing along our Texas Highways was Lady Bird Johnson’s Legacy”. Today people from all over the world have seen or heard how beautiful Central Texas is when the wildflowers and bluebonnets adorn our highways.

As a Real Estate agent, I travel several highways on my way to listing appointments or showings. Seeing the wonderful flowers along 130 Toll in Austin, and on FM 1431 to name a few-- sparked memories of what I learned about Lady Bird Johnson, so I made time to visit the Wildflower Center. Needless to say I was impressed and thought I would share photos and information.