After charting many imaginary seas during this year’s Fortlandia exhibition, Prairie Schooner, designed by father–son duo R-T Krempetz and Aidan Krempetz @dmdinteractive , isn’t sailing away just yet. We’re excited to share that this beloved fort will now have a permanent home at the Wildflower Center, ready to welcome even more crews of explorers, pirates, and daydreamers.

And there’s more to celebrate: Prairie Schooner was voted Fan Favorite in this year’s Fortlandia exhibition. Thank you to everyone who came out to explore and share their favorites with us.

We’re back to regular hours starting today (open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., last entry at 4), and the forecast is looking great for a weekend outdoors! 

Plan your visit: wildflower.org/visit

Lying in wait. (Plants are better at patience than we are.)

Like these baby bluebonnets, many are still in a resting phase after the recent freeze. When winter warmth arrives early and is followed by cold, plants can be caught between signals.

A few cold & freeze facts that help explain what’s happening with the plants around us:

🌱 Many plants seal winter buds with protective layers that break down only after sustained warmth. When temperatures drop again, newly exposed tissue is more vulnerable.

🌱 Ice doesn’t always damage plants. Some evergreens tolerate freezing by allowing ice to form between cells rather than inside them, which helps prevent internal damage.

🌱 Roots are less affected than above-ground growth. Soil temperatures remain more stable than air temperatures, so roots are often protected even when stems or leaves are damaged.

🌱 Cold, dry air can be more stressful than snow. Snow acts as insulation, while dry winter air can increase moisture loss — something that’s easy to overlook in Central Texas.

#WildflowerCenter #PlantScience #StayWild

The final week of Fortlandia is here! 🌲🛖 If you’ve been itching to get outside after the freeze, this is your moment. Fortlandia is open through this weekend, ending Sunday, Feb. 1. 

One fort you won’t want to miss: Roots Rambler, designed by @memxswyss. Inspired by big bluestem, a keystone prairie grass whose roots can stretch up to 12 feet underground, this fort invites visitors to enter below ground, climb through a web of colorful “roots,” and emerge onto a prairie above — a playful look at the hidden world beneath our feet.

Heads up: The Wildflower Center will be closed Monday, Feb. 2 through Friday, Feb. 6 for planned site improvements and the deinstallation of this year’s Fortlandia exhibition. We’ll reopen with regular hours on Saturday, Feb. 7.

Thanks for bearing with us!

Come explore the forts and cast your vote for your favorite design: wildflower.org/fortlandia

📷 @ticomendoza

Weather Update (1/27): Due to freezing temperatures and lingering icy conditions, the Wildflower Center will remain closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27, in accordance with University of Texas guidelines.

As a result, tomorrow’s Fortlandia Designer Info Session is being rescheduled. A new date will be shared once confirmed.

Thank you again for your understanding! We hope you continue to stay warm and safe out there, and look forward to welcoming you (and your favorite garden companions) back soon.

🔗 wildflower.org/visit (link in our bio and Stories)

Looking for a recommendation to add to your snow-day reading list? We’ve got just the thing.

Trees have a lot to teach us — from centuries of climate history recorded in their rings to clues about drought, fire, and the future of our landscapes. This deep dive into the science of tree rings is a fascinating place to start.

And if it sparks your curiosity, explore more stories about native plants, ecology, and the science behind the landscapes we love.

Read more at the link in our bio.

CLOSURE UPDATE (1/26): The Wildflower Center will remain closed on Tuesday, Jan. 27, in accordance with university guidance. We will share updates on our website and social media, so please check back before your next visit!