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EVENTS & CLASSES
Join us for one of our exciting classes, programs or events
Tuesday Twilights Feat. The Latin Dukes
Tuesday, May 27
Forest Bathing
Sunday, June 1
Sprouts
Wednesday, May 28
Summer Care for Native Plants
Saturday, June 7
GARDEN VIEWS
An inside glimpse of the gardens from our Instagram feed
Athena really said: copy-paste. 👀🦉 This serious little face might have you doing a double take, but it’s not the queen herself... It’s her baby.
Freshly perched after last weekend’s tumble out of the nest, this owlet is adjusting well to treetop life. Meanwhile, its sibling remains in the nest, but is expected to be ready to leave at any moment. Despite a little distance between them, this family is staying in close contact. Listen carefully, and you might sometimes hear the owlets communicating back and forth.
Athena’s been spotted too, perching nearby, delivering snacks, and keeping a close watch over her young.
If you’ve been following along, thank you. We love getting to share these small moments with you. This season’s story isn’t over just yet, so stay tuned for more updates!
📷 Natalie Luz Elorza-Welling
#AthenaTheOwl #GreatHornedOwls #WildflowerCenter #TexasWildlife #StayWild #BackyardBirding
May 23
Mistflower is stepping into the spotlight in our Theme Gardens right now. It’s our 2025 Wildflower of the Year — for good reason. With soft lavender blooms from spring through fall, this native beauty sticks around way longer than most.
We’re open all Memorial Day weekend, so why not come wander through the gardens and catch some early mistflower magic?
See you soon: https://www.wildflower.org/visit
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #GreggsMistflower #WildflowerOfTheYear #TexasNativePlants #GardenVibes #MemorialDayATX
May 23
Wild about a fall wedding? Yeah, us too. 🍂 There’s something really lovely about getting married when the garden’s alive with color and texture—grasses swaying, goldeneye and gayfeather catching the light, and mistflower blooming purple with butterflies all around. Fall here doesn’t mean chilly air or crunchy leaves, but it does mean beauty, warmth, and plenty in bloom.
Planning for this fall? We’re offering 10% off wedding dates from September through November 2025 when you book between May 23 and July 31, 2025!
Whether you picture a golden-hour vow exchange under the live oaks or a cozy celebration under string lights in the courtyard, we’ve got the space - and the season - to make it unforgettable.
💐 Learn more and contact our team at the link in our bio (wildflower.org/private-events/weddings)! And don’t forget to mention this post when you reach out!
#wildflowercenter #fallwedding #weddinginspo #austinweddings #atxweddings
May 22
Spotted: one very busy bee hard at work. 🐝
Native pollinators aren’t only found buzzing around blooms. This ground-nesting bee is excavating her nest in the soil! In fact, about 70% of native bee species live underground, building intricate tunnels to raise their young.
Unlike honeybees, most native bees are solitary and often go unnoticed, but they do the heavy lifting when it comes to pollinating native plants.
They prefer undisturbed, bare or lightly vegetated soil, which makes a great case for letting parts of your garden stay a little wild.
Keep an eye out in your own green spaces—you might spot someone buzzing around your feet!
🎥 Hannah Armstrong, lead horticulturist in our Theme and Pollinator Gardens
#WorldBeeDay #GroundNestingBees #NativeBees #NativePollinators #WildflowerCenter #NativePlants #StayWild
May 20
Owlet update: We had a big moment this morning! 🦉
Early today, one of our Great Horned Owlets had a little slip from the nest platform while awaiting breakfast from Athena. While it may not have been a graceful takeoff, this kind of early fledge is a natural part of growing up!
At 5–6 weeks old, owlets often leave the nest before they can fly well—a stage called branching. They’re surprisingly capable climbers at this age, using their talons and beaks to scale trees and explore their surroundings. While this fledge wasn’t intentional, the owlet is old enough to navigate the area and continue growing stronger.
Our team is keeping a close watch, and the young owl remains safe near the nest site as it adjusts to its new vantage point. Athena and her mate are still nearby, continuing to care for both owlets.
We’ll be watching closely for the sibling to make its move in the coming days. Stay tuned—and see the fledging in @cornellbirdcams update at the link in our bio!
📷 Bill J. Boyd
#StayWild #WildflowerCenter #GreatHornedOwl #OwletWatch
May 18
How about a little Saturday spotlight on standing cypress? 🌺
Also known as Texas plume for its feathery flower spikes, Ipomopsis rubra lights up our gardens with tall, fiery red blooms that hummingbirds love. These tiny nectar seekers are naturally drawn to red and orange tubular flowers — and this native fits the bill perfectly!
Standing cypress thrives in dry, sunny spots and can grow up to six feet tall. It’s deer resistant, easy to grow from seed, and a reliable pollinator magnet throughout spring and summer.
Catch these stunning blooms starting to pop during your weekend stroll at the Wildflower Center, and watch the hummingbirds in action.
Plan your visit: wildflower.org/visit
#StandingCypress #NativePlants #SpringBlooms #Pollinators #GoPublicGardens #GoPublicGardensDays #WildflowerCenter
May 17
It’s #EndangeredSpeciesDay — recognizing the species we’ve lost and those we still have a chance to protect. As they say, don’t let them become like the dinosaurs.
And funny enough... today also marks the official launch of Dinos in the Wild — our newest exhibit featuring life-sized, roaring prehistoric creatures nestled into our garden trails. They move. They rumble. And if you round a corner too quickly, they might just give you a little jolt.
While these ancient giants are no longer with us, many of the species around us still have time to thrive. Native wildflowers, rare pollinators, and songbirds are all part of the landscape we’re working hard to protect. And every garden, like ours, plays a crucial role in giving endangered wildlife and native plants a fighting chance. Beyond conservation through seed collection and research, our greenhouses also temporarily house endangered plants.
🦖 So come visit the ones that once ruled the Earth… and get inspired to protect the ones still living alongside us.
Dinos in the Wild runs through August 17, 2025. Learn more: wildflower.org/dinosaurs
#DinosInTheWild #EndangeredSpeciesDay #GoPublicGardens #GoPublicGardensDays #WildflowerCenter #StayWild
May 16
We’re proud to be a Blue Star Museum. Starting this Saturday, May 17 — Armed Forces Day — we’re offering free admission all summer long to active-duty military personnel and their families as part of the Blue Star Museums program.
This nationwide initiative, run in partnership with @BlueStarFamilies, the @neaarts, and the Department of Defense, connects service members with museums, gardens, and cultural spaces across the country. We’re honored to be one of them.
Find more information and plan your visit: wildflower.org/visit
#BlueStarMuseums #StayWild #WildflowerCenter #MilitaryFamilies #ArmedForcesDay
May 15
Whooo wore it best? 🦉 Our staff and docents have been showing their love for Athena with some fantastic owl-themed flair—everything from socks and jewelry to the official Athena t-shirt (available in our gift shop!).
Got your own Athena-inspired look? We’d love to see it!
📷 Athena photo by Bill J. Boyd and “owl-fit” photos by Carrie McDonald
#AthenaTheOwl #WildflowerCenter #StayWild
May 14
The sun’s not setting on Tuesday Twilights just yet. 🌅 We’re bringing you an encore—two bonus weeks of live music and laid-back evenings at the Wildflower Center, featuring some of your favorite performers. 🌿
But first: join us tonight (5/13) as @carosamigosmusic fills the Courtyard with the warm, winding rhythms of Brazilian choro, perfect for a golden hour groove.
Bring your appetite, too! @konfusedesindianfoodtruck and @garboslobster will be serving up savory fare, and @dulcefridaatx has the treats to top it all off. If you’re 21 or older, stop by the bar for our specialty cocktail of the evening or whatever suits your twilight vibe.
Reserve your spot at the link in our bio!
📷 @ticomendoza
#TuesdayTwilights #WildflowerCenter #ATXThingsToDo #ATXLiveMusic #AustinEvents
May 13
Athena really said: copy-paste. 👀🦉 This serious little face might have you doing a double take, but it’s not the queen herself... It’s her baby.
Freshly perched after last weekend’s tumble out of the nest, this owlet is adjusting well to treetop life. Meanwhile, its sibling remains in the nest, but is expected to be ready to leave at any moment. Despite a little distance between them, this family is staying in close contact. Listen carefully, and you might sometimes hear the owlets communicating back and forth.
Athena’s been spotted too, perching nearby, delivering snacks, and keeping a close watch over her young.
If you’ve been following along, thank you. We love getting to share these small moments with you. This season’s story isn’t over just yet, so stay tuned for more updates!
📷 Natalie Luz Elorza-Welling
#AthenaTheOwl #GreatHornedOwls #WildflowerCenter #TexasWildlife #StayWild #BackyardBirding
May 23
Mistflower is stepping into the spotlight in our Theme Gardens right now. It’s our 2025 Wildflower of the Year — for good reason. With soft lavender blooms from spring through fall, this native beauty sticks around way longer than most.
We’re open all Memorial Day weekend, so why not come wander through the gardens and catch some early mistflower magic?
See you soon: https://www.wildflower.org/visit
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #GreggsMistflower #WildflowerOfTheYear #TexasNativePlants #GardenVibes #MemorialDayATX
May 23
Wild about a fall wedding? Yeah, us too. 🍂 There’s something really lovely about getting married when the garden’s alive with color and texture—grasses swaying, goldeneye and gayfeather catching the light, and mistflower blooming purple with butterflies all around. Fall here doesn’t mean chilly air or crunchy leaves, but it does mean beauty, warmth, and plenty in bloom.
Planning for this fall? We’re offering 10% off wedding dates from September through November 2025 when you book between May 23 and July 31, 2025!
Whether you picture a golden-hour vow exchange under the live oaks or a cozy celebration under string lights in the courtyard, we’ve got the space - and the season - to make it unforgettable.
💐 Learn more and contact our team at the link in our bio (wildflower.org/private-events/weddings)! And don’t forget to mention this post when you reach out!
#wildflowercenter #fallwedding #weddinginspo #austinweddings #atxweddings
May 22
Spotted: one very busy bee hard at work. 🐝
Native pollinators aren’t only found buzzing around blooms. This ground-nesting bee is excavating her nest in the soil! In fact, about 70% of native bee species live underground, building intricate tunnels to raise their young.
Unlike honeybees, most native bees are solitary and often go unnoticed, but they do the heavy lifting when it comes to pollinating native plants.
They prefer undisturbed, bare or lightly vegetated soil, which makes a great case for letting parts of your garden stay a little wild.
Keep an eye out in your own green spaces—you might spot someone buzzing around your feet!
🎥 Hannah Armstrong, lead horticulturist in our Theme and Pollinator Gardens
#WorldBeeDay #GroundNestingBees #NativeBees #NativePollinators #WildflowerCenter #NativePlants #StayWild
May 20
Owlet update: We had a big moment this morning! 🦉
Early today, one of our Great Horned Owlets had a little slip from the nest platform while awaiting breakfast from Athena. While it may not have been a graceful takeoff, this kind of early fledge is a natural part of growing up!
At 5–6 weeks old, owlets often leave the nest before they can fly well—a stage called branching. They’re surprisingly capable climbers at this age, using their talons and beaks to scale trees and explore their surroundings. While this fledge wasn’t intentional, the owlet is old enough to navigate the area and continue growing stronger.
Our team is keeping a close watch, and the young owl remains safe near the nest site as it adjusts to its new vantage point. Athena and her mate are still nearby, continuing to care for both owlets.
We’ll be watching closely for the sibling to make its move in the coming days. Stay tuned—and see the fledging in @cornellbirdcams update at the link in our bio!
📷 Bill J. Boyd
#StayWild #WildflowerCenter #GreatHornedOwl #OwletWatch
May 18
How about a little Saturday spotlight on standing cypress? 🌺
Also known as Texas plume for its feathery flower spikes, Ipomopsis rubra lights up our gardens with tall, fiery red blooms that hummingbirds love. These tiny nectar seekers are naturally drawn to red and orange tubular flowers — and this native fits the bill perfectly!
Standing cypress thrives in dry, sunny spots and can grow up to six feet tall. It’s deer resistant, easy to grow from seed, and a reliable pollinator magnet throughout spring and summer.
Catch these stunning blooms starting to pop during your weekend stroll at the Wildflower Center, and watch the hummingbirds in action.
Plan your visit: wildflower.org/visit
#StandingCypress #NativePlants #SpringBlooms #Pollinators #GoPublicGardens #GoPublicGardensDays #WildflowerCenter
May 17
It’s #EndangeredSpeciesDay — recognizing the species we’ve lost and those we still have a chance to protect. As they say, don’t let them become like the dinosaurs.
And funny enough... today also marks the official launch of Dinos in the Wild — our newest exhibit featuring life-sized, roaring prehistoric creatures nestled into our garden trails. They move. They rumble. And if you round a corner too quickly, they might just give you a little jolt.
While these ancient giants are no longer with us, many of the species around us still have time to thrive. Native wildflowers, rare pollinators, and songbirds are all part of the landscape we’re working hard to protect. And every garden, like ours, plays a crucial role in giving endangered wildlife and native plants a fighting chance. Beyond conservation through seed collection and research, our greenhouses also temporarily house endangered plants.
🦖 So come visit the ones that once ruled the Earth… and get inspired to protect the ones still living alongside us.
Dinos in the Wild runs through August 17, 2025. Learn more: wildflower.org/dinosaurs
#DinosInTheWild #EndangeredSpeciesDay #GoPublicGardens #GoPublicGardensDays #WildflowerCenter #StayWild
May 16
We’re proud to be a Blue Star Museum. Starting this Saturday, May 17 — Armed Forces Day — we’re offering free admission all summer long to active-duty military personnel and their families as part of the Blue Star Museums program.
This nationwide initiative, run in partnership with @BlueStarFamilies, the @neaarts, and the Department of Defense, connects service members with museums, gardens, and cultural spaces across the country. We’re honored to be one of them.
Find more information and plan your visit: wildflower.org/visit
#BlueStarMuseums #StayWild #WildflowerCenter #MilitaryFamilies #ArmedForcesDay
May 15
Whooo wore it best? 🦉 Our staff and docents have been showing their love for Athena with some fantastic owl-themed flair—everything from socks and jewelry to the official Athena t-shirt (available in our gift shop!).
Got your own Athena-inspired look? We’d love to see it!
📷 Athena photo by Bill J. Boyd and “owl-fit” photos by Carrie McDonald
#AthenaTheOwl #WildflowerCenter #StayWild
May 14
The sun’s not setting on Tuesday Twilights just yet. 🌅 We’re bringing you an encore—two bonus weeks of live music and laid-back evenings at the Wildflower Center, featuring some of your favorite performers. 🌿
But first: join us tonight (5/13) as @carosamigosmusic fills the Courtyard with the warm, winding rhythms of Brazilian choro, perfect for a golden hour groove.
Bring your appetite, too! @konfusedesindianfoodtruck and @garboslobster will be serving up savory fare, and @dulcefridaatx has the treats to top it all off. If you’re 21 or older, stop by the bar for our specialty cocktail of the evening or whatever suits your twilight vibe.
Reserve your spot at the link in our bio!
📷 @ticomendoza
#TuesdayTwilights #WildflowerCenter #ATXThingsToDo #ATXLiveMusic #AustinEvents
May 13
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