About
Press Releases
The communications office of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin provides media with timely, accurate information about the Wildflower Center. Below are recent press releases related to Center events and to staff expertise on conservation practices, native plant gardening, nature education, and native plant resources and research findings. For more information or photos beyond those on the newsroom site, please contact:
| Communications Director Saralee Tiede 512.232.0104 stiede@wildflower.org |
Media Manager Barbra Rodriguez 512.232.0105 brodriguez@wildflower.org |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2005
Wildflower Days continues with the ever-popular Spring Plant Sale and Gardening Festival held on April 9 and 10, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a special members-only preview sale Friday, April 8, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This plant sale boasts the largest selection of native plants in Central Texas with some 300 species and 23,000 plants from which to choose. Native plant experts are available all day to help visitors make the best choices for their gardens. FREE shuttle bus service is available from Bowie High School on Slaughter Lane both days.
Event Highlights include:
- Demonstrations by Austin Herb Society, Geo Growers, Wild Connections, the City of Austin, Travis County, and the Wildflower Center staff
- Presentations on managing fire ants in your landscape; identifying drought tolerant native herbs for landscaping; your landscape's role in water conservation; and landscape design with your child in mind
- Guided walks focused on growing native plants for your landscape; the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer; tips for landscaping with wildflowers; and garden favorites
- On Saturday, April 9, author Michael Lind signs Bluebonnet Girl, and on Sunday, April 10, author Kathi Appelt signs Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How A First Lady Changed America
The U.S. debut of The Ladybird Chronicles by Jane Davenport is receiving rave reviews. This outdoor art exhibit that blends art and entomological detail has been extended to May 7, before it travels to botanical gardens and zoos in nine other states. The internationally award-winning exhibit that has toured Europe and Asia includes 30 large-scale photographic artworks featuring the bugs and beetles of Australia's Wollongong Botanic Garden.
Finally, on Saturday, May 7, 10am-5pm, the Wildflower Center will feature a new event. Rain or shine, Gardens on Tour 2005 Presented by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center will take an exclusive look into Austin's backyard native gems. This Mother's Day weekend tour will introduce gardening enthusiasts to six private gardens, plus the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. All gardens prominently feature native plants and demonstrate good gardening practices, while encouraging people to use native plants in their own garden.
Tour wristbands are $25 and will be available starting April 4 at Wild Ideas: The Store, Barton Springs Nursery, The Natural Gardener, and Shoal Creek Nursery. Individual garden tickets are $6 and may be purchased on-site at each home. Children under 5 are free.
Hours for the Wildflower Center are Tuesday - Sunday 9am - 5:30pm. From March 14 to April 25, the Center is open on Mondays as well.
Spring admission is $7 for adults; $5.50 for seniors and students; and $2.50 for Children. Children 5 and younger, and members are free.
Directions:
The Wildflower Center is located in southwest Austin: Follow Loop 1 south, turn left on La Crosse Avenue, the first light past Slaughter Lane. The Wildflower Center is two blocks down on the right.
For more information on any of these events or additional information on the Center, call 512.232.0104 or visit www.wildflower.org.
