Luminations

A strollable winter tradition lighting up our gardens

BECOME A MEMBER

Membership is a cost-effective way to visit often and support our important work. Please join our efforts to connect people to the natural world and create a more sustainable future.

EVENTS & CLASSES

Join us for one of our exciting classes, programs or events

Two oak trees, one with red leaves and one with green leaves against the blue sky

Luminations

Select Days, Nov. 22 – Jan. 5

Fortlandia logo in orange on a light green background with the tagline "Your secret hideout awaits"

Fortlandia

Daily, Oct. 4, 2024 – Feb. 2, 2025

Four women in athletic wear perform a yoga pose in the middle of a field.

Yoga FIT Mini Series

Mondays, Dec. 9 & 16 and Jan. 6 & 13

Elias pruning trees, by Bill Boyd

Into the Woods

Daily, Dec. 2, 2024 – Feb. 3, 2025

FIND A PLANT

Discover the Native Plants of North America


GARDEN VIEWS

An inside glimpse of the gardens from our Instagram feed

Finish this sentence: "My favorite memory of being a child in nature..." 💭 Was it climbing trees, watching fireflies light up the dusk, or the smell of fresh rain on the trail? 🌱

At the Wildflower Center, we’re working to ensure kids today and tomorrow can create those same memories. Your gift supports educational programs that connect children with the natural world and helps us protect the native landscapes where these moments happen.

Visit wildflower.org/donate at the link in our bio to give today. Your year-end contributions will be amplified by our matching fund, helping us reach our $100,000 fundraising goal. 

📷 @wildrosephotostudio 

#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #NaturePlay
Here in Central Texas, we do things a little differently - like trading “fall color” for “winter color.” Every season has its own kind of beauty and our gardens are starting to show their cool-weather charm. 🌿🍂
 
Plan your visit at the link in our bio or wildflower.org/visit!
 
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #FallColor #GoPublicGardens #AustinTX #ATXThingsToDo #ATX
Not long ago, winter felt like a far-off dream. But now, cooler days and signs of the season have arrived. For the year-round gardener, now is the time to prep! Most established natives can handle the chill, but young or container plants might need a little extra TLC.

☑️ Keep roots warm and soil moist with a layer of mulch. Fallen leaves help too, insulating plants and providing habitat for critters.
☑️ If the soil is dry, water deeply. Morning is best! Avoid watering below 40°F.
☑️ Wrap or move potted plants closer to the house and cover them during freezes.
☑️ Wait to trim until late winter or early spring to avoid stressing your plants.

Winter care now means a thriving garden come spring. Got tips and tricks of your own? Share them in the comments!

📸 Fall aster (𝘚𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘰𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘮 𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘶𝘮) and Big muhly (𝘔𝘶𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪), Wildflower Center

#WildflowerCenter #WinterGardenPrep #NativePlants #SustainableGardening
There’s still time to make the holidays bloom with a Wildflower Center gift membership! Orders made by this Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 11:59 p.m., will include a limited-edition enamel pin featuring our 2024 Wildflower of the Year, rock rose (Pavonia lasiopetala). 

Your loved one will enjoy:
🌿 Free admission for an entire year
🌿 Discounts on classes, special events like Luminations, and more

Support the Wildflower Center and knock out some of your holiday shopping at wildflower.org/join (link in our bio).

Order by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, to ensure delivery by Dec. 24!

#WildflowerCenter #HolidayGifts #StayWild
Lead Horticulturist Amy Medley recently planted Engelmann’s daisies (𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢) in the Family Garden. Also called “cutleaf daisy,” this plant is often seen on roadsides and blooms well even in drought conditions. 🌱
 
Keep watching for some handy container plant tips!
 
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #EnglemannsDaisy #ContainerPlant #NativePlants
The holidays can get a little hectic, but here’s your chance to slow down, find your balance, and soak in the season. Ready to roll out your mat and create joyful memories with the family? Join @atxyogagirl for a holiday-themed Family Yoga class this Sunday, Dec. 8, at 10:30 a.m. 🧘🎄

And don’t stop there—keep the good vibes flowing with a 4-week Yoga FIT mini-series with @fitinstituteoftx starting Dec. 9. Designed for all levels, these classes blend active stretching and passive-supported yoga poses for the whole body. 🌿

Yoga FIT Schedule:
Mondays, Dec. 9 & 16 and Jan. 6 & 13
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
$12 per class or $39 for the series

Register for these classes at the link in our bio!

📷 ATX Yoga Girl

#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #ATXYoga #FamilyYoga
“The environment is ... where we all have a mutual interest.”
– Lady Bird Johnson

Nature has a way of uniting us all. 🌿 We see it every day—families strolling through #Luminations, kids marveling at their first monarch, and new friends from all walks of life connecting through our classes. This #GivingTuesday, you can help us keep those connections alive and support our mission to inspire the conservation of native plants.

If we’ve inspired you to join us in that mission, we hope you'll consider supporting the Wildflower Center today. Your year-end gift will be amplified by our matching fund, helping us reach our $100,000 fundraising goal.

Visit wildflower.org/donate at the link in our bio to give today. Thank you for your support!

📷 @ticomendoza

#WildflowerCenter #StayWild
Picture this: Bushy bluestem (𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴) glowing against a crisp blue sky or frosty morning. Those feathery, fluffy flowerheads—like nature’s own silver cotton candy—are stunning during the winter season. While other plants settle into dormancy, bushy bluestem lights up the landscape with shimmering plumes, especially when the sun catches them just right.

Birds and small mammals love it for food, cover, and nesting material. This native grass thrives in sunny, low, moist spots—perfect for rain gardens or tricky damp patches.

For year-round beauty, pair it with spring and summer bloomers like purple coneflower (𝘌𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘢) or black-eyed susan (𝘙𝘶𝘥𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘢). Nature’s baton pass keeps your garden stunning all year long!

Learn more about a few of Texas' powerhouse native grasses at the link in our bio.

📸: Bushy bluestem (𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴), Wildflower Center

#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #NativePlants #BushyBluestem
Skip the lines and embrace the outdoors! 🌿 For those walking off yesterday's feast or starting a new family tradition, our trails and gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all the fresh air and serenity you need.

Tag us in your photos to share what adventures you're up to as you #OptOutside today. See you on the trails!

#WildflowerCenter #StayWild
Finish this sentence: "My favorite memory of being a child in nature..." 💭 Was it climbing trees, watching fireflies light up the dusk, or the smell of fresh rain on the trail? 🌱

At the Wildflower Center, we’re working to ensure kids today and tomorrow can create those same memories. Your gift supports educational programs that connect children with the natural world and helps us protect the native landscapes where these moments happen.

Visit wildflower.org/donate at the link in our bio to give today. Your year-end contributions will be amplified by our matching fund, helping us reach our $100,000 fundraising goal. 

📷 @wildrosephotostudio 

#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #NaturePlay
Here in Central Texas, we do things a little differently - like trading “fall color” for “winter color.” Every season has its own kind of beauty and our gardens are starting to show their cool-weather charm. 🌿🍂
 
Plan your visit at the link in our bio or wildflower.org/visit!
 
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #FallColor #GoPublicGardens #AustinTX #ATXThingsToDo #ATX
Not long ago, winter felt like a far-off dream. But now, cooler days and signs of the season have arrived. For the year-round gardener, now is the time to prep! Most established natives can handle the chill, but young or container plants might need a little extra TLC.

☑️ Keep roots warm and soil moist with a layer of mulch. Fallen leaves help too, insulating plants and providing habitat for critters.
☑️ If the soil is dry, water deeply. Morning is best! Avoid watering below 40°F.
☑️ Wrap or move potted plants closer to the house and cover them during freezes.
☑️ Wait to trim until late winter or early spring to avoid stressing your plants.

Winter care now means a thriving garden come spring. Got tips and tricks of your own? Share them in the comments!

📸 Fall aster (𝘚𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘰𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘮 𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘶𝘮) and Big muhly (𝘔𝘶𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪), Wildflower Center

#WildflowerCenter #WinterGardenPrep #NativePlants #SustainableGardening
There’s still time to make the holidays bloom with a Wildflower Center gift membership! Orders made by this Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 11:59 p.m., will include a limited-edition enamel pin featuring our 2024 Wildflower of the Year, rock rose (Pavonia lasiopetala). 

Your loved one will enjoy:
🌿 Free admission for an entire year
🌿 Discounts on classes, special events like Luminations, and more

Support the Wildflower Center and knock out some of your holiday shopping at wildflower.org/join (link in our bio).

Order by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, to ensure delivery by Dec. 24!

#WildflowerCenter #HolidayGifts #StayWild
Lead Horticulturist Amy Medley recently planted Engelmann’s daisies (𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘢) in the Family Garden. Also called “cutleaf daisy,” this plant is often seen on roadsides and blooms well even in drought conditions. 🌱
 
Keep watching for some handy container plant tips!
 
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #EnglemannsDaisy #ContainerPlant #NativePlants
The holidays can get a little hectic, but here’s your chance to slow down, find your balance, and soak in the season. Ready to roll out your mat and create joyful memories with the family? Join @atxyogagirl for a holiday-themed Family Yoga class this Sunday, Dec. 8, at 10:30 a.m. 🧘🎄

And don’t stop there—keep the good vibes flowing with a 4-week Yoga FIT mini-series with @fitinstituteoftx starting Dec. 9. Designed for all levels, these classes blend active stretching and passive-supported yoga poses for the whole body. 🌿

Yoga FIT Schedule:
Mondays, Dec. 9 & 16 and Jan. 6 & 13
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
$12 per class or $39 for the series

Register for these classes at the link in our bio!

📷 ATX Yoga Girl

#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #ATXYoga #FamilyYoga
“The environment is ... where we all have a mutual interest.”
– Lady Bird Johnson

Nature has a way of uniting us all. 🌿 We see it every day—families strolling through #Luminations, kids marveling at their first monarch, and new friends from all walks of life connecting through our classes. This #GivingTuesday, you can help us keep those connections alive and support our mission to inspire the conservation of native plants.

If we’ve inspired you to join us in that mission, we hope you'll consider supporting the Wildflower Center today. Your year-end gift will be amplified by our matching fund, helping us reach our $100,000 fundraising goal.

Visit wildflower.org/donate at the link in our bio to give today. Thank you for your support!

📷 @ticomendoza

#WildflowerCenter #StayWild
Picture this: Bushy bluestem (𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴) glowing against a crisp blue sky or frosty morning. Those feathery, fluffy flowerheads—like nature’s own silver cotton candy—are stunning during the winter season. While other plants settle into dormancy, bushy bluestem lights up the landscape with shimmering plumes, especially when the sun catches them just right.

Birds and small mammals love it for food, cover, and nesting material. This native grass thrives in sunny, low, moist spots—perfect for rain gardens or tricky damp patches.

For year-round beauty, pair it with spring and summer bloomers like purple coneflower (𝘌𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘢) or black-eyed susan (𝘙𝘶𝘥𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘢). Nature’s baton pass keeps your garden stunning all year long!

Learn more about a few of Texas' powerhouse native grasses at the link in our bio.

📸: Bushy bluestem (𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘰𝘨𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴), Wildflower Center

#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #NativePlants #BushyBluestem
Skip the lines and embrace the outdoors! 🌿 For those walking off yesterday's feast or starting a new family tradition, our trails and gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all the fresh air and serenity you need.

Tag us in your photos to share what adventures you're up to as you #OptOutside today. See you on the trails!

#WildflowerCenter #StayWild

Help us spread the beauty!

EXPLORE MORE

Expert advice, plant nerdery and inspiring stories

Illustration of compound leaves and round yellow flowers goldenball lead tree (Leucaena retusa)

Horticultural Heroes

Rescuing flora from Central Texas’ development boom

Snow-on-the-prairie and a paper wasp; because it's a UVIVF image, the centers of the flowers stand out in blue against a plant that looks purple, and clumps of pollen shine bright white.

Not Cutting It

Why No Mow May isn’t enough to change lawn culture

Big white bluestem prickly poppy blooms above purple blooms of prairie verbena along a concrete path.

Go Big Red

Fans rally to conserve a rare sage