Wildflower Center (post #2 for today)

This is my second post for today...I just had too much stuff for the Hill Country!  Check out the other one, too.

Last Friday (after the Big Donut trip) we drove down to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to see if they had any flowers in bloom yet.  Although we were a bit early this season, we did see some beautiful displays of wildflowers.  However, I suggest that if you go, the middle of April is a better time.

In 1982 Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes founded an organization to protect and preserve North America's native plants and natural landscapes.  This place exists to introduce people to the beauty of wildflowers and the native plants.  The displays here at the center focus on the native plants of the Texas Hill Country.  The meadows and woodlands here look much as they did when Native Americans were the only inhabitants. 

When you walk into the center you see a large courtyard.  There is a cafe and gift shop and a visitor gallery on either side of the courtyard. 

From the courtyard you enter the Woodland Garden and then proceed to the Theme Garden area.  They also have a large greenhouse where they work to grow more of the native plants.  A beautiful arbor is between the greenhouse and the Theme Garden. (click on any photo for a larger view)

Wildflowers in the Theme Garden area are
Top Left is Golden Groundsel
Top Right is Prairie Fleabane
Bottom Left is Chocolate Flower
Bottom Right is Texas Yellow Star

The Texas state flower is the Bluebonnet, which you see lining this walking path.  Paths are all wheelchair accesible.  I took a break on one of the many benches throughout the center.

This path takes the visitor on a walk through the natural meadow area.  Not many wildflowers blooming here yet, but the walk was great.

This was a great place to visit and we did not do this on our previous trip to the Austin area several years ago.  We paid $6.00 for a senior pass.  Pets are not allowed and the center is smoke-free.  Closed Mondays and major holidays. 

The Wildflower Center is also a research unit of the University of Texas at Austin.  I hope you will make time to visit someday if you travel to the beautiful Hill Country.

Until next time.....so long for now!  (other post for today features lunch with Blogging friends)