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EVENTS & CLASSES
Join us for one of our exciting classes, programs or events
Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat
Friday, June 20
Bats 101
Saturday, June 28
Sprouts
Wednesday, June 25
Teen Wellness Workshop
Friday, July 11
GARDEN VIEWS
An inside glimpse of the gardens from our Instagram feed
It may not always turn heads like a wildflower, but Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) is Texas royalty — it’s our official state grass, after all.
This native bunchgrass gets its name from the way its oat-like seeds dangle off just one side of the stem. And when it blooms, look closely — you’ll catch flashes of orange and purple in the tiny flowers.
Beyond good looks, it’s got serious range. Sideoats helps hold soil in place, supports pollinators, and serves as food for wildlife. It’s a larval host plant for several skipper butterflies, which means it’s quietly doing the kind of behind-the-scenes work that keeps a prairie healthy.
See if you can spot it out on our trails: wildflower.org/visit
📸: Michael Caballero
#TexasNativePlants #SideoatsGrama #NativeGrass #WildflowerCenter #StayWild
Jun 13
Small but mighty. This sleek Cretaceous predator had a razor-sharp claw on each foot, lightning reflexes, and the instincts of a pack hunter. Deinonychus didn’t just chase prey, it outsmarted it. Fossils suggest they had relatively large brains for their body size!
Catch this sharp-toed star at the Wildflower Center now through Aug. 17 (if you dare).
Plan your visit: wildflower.org/dinosaurs
#WildflowerCenter #DinosInTheWild #StayWild #Deinonychus #Dinosaurs
Jun 12
Spotted yesterday near the entrance pond by our friend Bill Boyd — say hello to the Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), one of North America’s giant silk moths. With a wingspan of up to 6 inches and bold, purplish eyespots on its hindwings, this tan beauty is named after the one-eyed cyclops from Greek myth. The spots are more than just striking, they’re a defense mechanism, flashing suddenly to startle predators.
Fun fact: Its caterpillar can eat 86,000 times its own weight in just under two months! These moths are found throughout much of Canada and the U.S., and their larvae feed on a wide variety of host plants.
📷 Bill J. Boyd
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #SilkMoths
Jun 11
New this summer: Teen Wellness Workshop 🌿🧘♂️ Need a way for the teen in your life to reset and recharge? On July 11, we’re teaming up with @atxyogagirl Cynthia Bernard, whose family yoga and retreat classes have long been a favorite at the Wildflower Center, for a half-day experience focused on mindfulness, movement, and creativity.
✨ Flow through yoga and gentle breathwork
✨ Practice calming techniques and affirmations
✨ Explore nature through journaling and quiet reflection
It’s a chance to slow down, connect, and be fully present—away from screens and summer stress.
🔗 Space is limited — register at the link in bio!
For teens only. Led by trained facilitators and held in accordance with UT Austin’s Youth Protection guidelines.
📷 Theresa DiMenno
#ATXYogaGirl #YogaRetreat #WildflowerCenter #YogaInNature #AustinEvents
Jun 10
Big red sage (Salvia pentstemonoides) is one of Texas’s rarest native plants—once thought extinct, and now on the verge of being listed as endangered.
So how did it go from remote cliff faces to curated garden beds?
A recent @texasmonthly article explores that very question, tracing big red sage’s dramatic rediscovery in the 1980s, its steep decline in the wild, and the rising interest in growing it, sometimes without understanding just how rare it is.
🌱 Our own Dr. Sean Griffin, Director of Science & Conservation at the Wildflower Center, is interviewed in the piece, sharing insights from our research and seed conservation efforts. We’ve collected and preserved seed from wild populations, grow plants in our gardens from these carefully sourced seeds, and monitor wild populations—helping safeguard this species for future generations.
Start with the Texas Monthly article on big red sage (paywall alert, but it’s a great read!), then check out our own feature on its conservation story and what makes this plant so unique.
👉 Both links in bio!
📸: Big Red Sage (Salvia pentstemonoides) growing currently in our Theme Gardens. It blooms from June to October in response to rainfall and the persistence of soil moisture.
#BigRedSage #SalviaPentstemonoides #WildflowerCenter #TexasNativePlants #EndangeredPlants #NativePlantConservation #BotanicGardens #StayWild
Jun 9
June at the Wildflower Center ☀️ Summer`s here, but there’s plenty of shade to keep things cool. Come wander the trails, catch a breeze, and see what’s new in the gardens.
🦕 Dinosaurs are back and roaming the grounds
🌊 Discovery Day: Water makes a splash on Sunday, June 8
🧘♀️ Morning yoga + fitness classes in the fresh air
🦇 Learn about local bats at a special conservation talk
There`s a lot happening—find your favorite spot and make a day of it: wildflower.org/events
📷 2, 3 & 5 by @ticomendoza
📷 4 by @tdimenno
📷 6 by Brittany Dawn
📷 7 by Adam Barbe
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #ATXEvents #ATXThingsToDo #StayWild #ExploreTexas
Jun 7
Something to make you say WOW!
We’ve loved seeing your reactions to Dinos in the Wild! 🦖🤯 These prehistoric giants are roaming our gardens, surprising visitors young and old. Whether it’s your first time or your fourth, come have your own adventure before they disappear on August 17.
☀️ Summer hours: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. (last entry 2 p.m.)
🦖 Included with general admission, free for members
Plan your visit: wildflower.org/dinosaurs
🎥 Henry Kellison
#DinosInTheWild #WildflowerCenter #FamilyFunAustin #AustinWithKids #Dinosaurs #StayWild
Jun 5
“How’d you find me?” 🦉 Look who was spotted in the Arboretum this morning! 🌳
Thanks to everyone who’s been keeping a respectful distance and quietly enjoying these special sightings. It’s still such a treat watching Athena’s owlets grow.
📷 Bill J. Boyd
#WildflowerCenter #GreatHornedOwl #AustinWildlife #Birding #StayWild
Jun 4
Sensitive briar (Mimosa roemeriana) has leaflets that fold when touched — a subtle, surprising motion that’s easy to miss unless you know to look. 🌿✨
This movement is called thigmonasty — a rapid response to touch or vibration powered by shifting water pressure inside the plant. Scientists think it may help startle herbivores or shake off bugs.
There’s a patch growing near our Observation Tower! Brush gently and watch the magic happen.
More about Mimosa roemeriana at the link in our bio.
#MimosaRoemeriana #SensitiveBriar #WildflowerCenter #StayWild #TexasNativePlants #ATXThingsToDo #NatureMoments
Jun 2
Giant coneflowers aren’t quite dinosaur-sized… but they can grow up to 6 feet tall — tall enough to rival our prehistoric pals in the Family Garden. 🦕🌼
These Rudbeckia maxima are blooming now and make a pretty great photo op if you ask us.
📍Plan your visit: wildflower.org/visit
🌼 Learn more about Giant coneflowers at the link in bio!
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #ATXThingsToDo #InTheGarden #GiantConeflower #RudbeckiaMaxima #DinosInTheWild
May 31
It may not always turn heads like a wildflower, but Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) is Texas royalty — it’s our official state grass, after all.
This native bunchgrass gets its name from the way its oat-like seeds dangle off just one side of the stem. And when it blooms, look closely — you’ll catch flashes of orange and purple in the tiny flowers.
Beyond good looks, it’s got serious range. Sideoats helps hold soil in place, supports pollinators, and serves as food for wildlife. It’s a larval host plant for several skipper butterflies, which means it’s quietly doing the kind of behind-the-scenes work that keeps a prairie healthy.
See if you can spot it out on our trails: wildflower.org/visit
📸: Michael Caballero
#TexasNativePlants #SideoatsGrama #NativeGrass #WildflowerCenter #StayWild
Jun 13
Small but mighty. This sleek Cretaceous predator had a razor-sharp claw on each foot, lightning reflexes, and the instincts of a pack hunter. Deinonychus didn’t just chase prey, it outsmarted it. Fossils suggest they had relatively large brains for their body size!
Catch this sharp-toed star at the Wildflower Center now through Aug. 17 (if you dare).
Plan your visit: wildflower.org/dinosaurs
#WildflowerCenter #DinosInTheWild #StayWild #Deinonychus #Dinosaurs
Jun 12
Spotted yesterday near the entrance pond by our friend Bill Boyd — say hello to the Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), one of North America’s giant silk moths. With a wingspan of up to 6 inches and bold, purplish eyespots on its hindwings, this tan beauty is named after the one-eyed cyclops from Greek myth. The spots are more than just striking, they’re a defense mechanism, flashing suddenly to startle predators.
Fun fact: Its caterpillar can eat 86,000 times its own weight in just under two months! These moths are found throughout much of Canada and the U.S., and their larvae feed on a wide variety of host plants.
📷 Bill J. Boyd
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #SilkMoths
Jun 11
New this summer: Teen Wellness Workshop 🌿🧘♂️ Need a way for the teen in your life to reset and recharge? On July 11, we’re teaming up with @atxyogagirl Cynthia Bernard, whose family yoga and retreat classes have long been a favorite at the Wildflower Center, for a half-day experience focused on mindfulness, movement, and creativity.
✨ Flow through yoga and gentle breathwork
✨ Practice calming techniques and affirmations
✨ Explore nature through journaling and quiet reflection
It’s a chance to slow down, connect, and be fully present—away from screens and summer stress.
🔗 Space is limited — register at the link in bio!
For teens only. Led by trained facilitators and held in accordance with UT Austin’s Youth Protection guidelines.
📷 Theresa DiMenno
#ATXYogaGirl #YogaRetreat #WildflowerCenter #YogaInNature #AustinEvents
Jun 10
Big red sage (Salvia pentstemonoides) is one of Texas’s rarest native plants—once thought extinct, and now on the verge of being listed as endangered.
So how did it go from remote cliff faces to curated garden beds?
A recent @texasmonthly article explores that very question, tracing big red sage’s dramatic rediscovery in the 1980s, its steep decline in the wild, and the rising interest in growing it, sometimes without understanding just how rare it is.
🌱 Our own Dr. Sean Griffin, Director of Science & Conservation at the Wildflower Center, is interviewed in the piece, sharing insights from our research and seed conservation efforts. We’ve collected and preserved seed from wild populations, grow plants in our gardens from these carefully sourced seeds, and monitor wild populations—helping safeguard this species for future generations.
Start with the Texas Monthly article on big red sage (paywall alert, but it’s a great read!), then check out our own feature on its conservation story and what makes this plant so unique.
👉 Both links in bio!
📸: Big Red Sage (Salvia pentstemonoides) growing currently in our Theme Gardens. It blooms from June to October in response to rainfall and the persistence of soil moisture.
#BigRedSage #SalviaPentstemonoides #WildflowerCenter #TexasNativePlants #EndangeredPlants #NativePlantConservation #BotanicGardens #StayWild
Jun 9
June at the Wildflower Center ☀️ Summer`s here, but there’s plenty of shade to keep things cool. Come wander the trails, catch a breeze, and see what’s new in the gardens.
🦕 Dinosaurs are back and roaming the grounds
🌊 Discovery Day: Water makes a splash on Sunday, June 8
🧘♀️ Morning yoga + fitness classes in the fresh air
🦇 Learn about local bats at a special conservation talk
There`s a lot happening—find your favorite spot and make a day of it: wildflower.org/events
📷 2, 3 & 5 by @ticomendoza
📷 4 by @tdimenno
📷 6 by Brittany Dawn
📷 7 by Adam Barbe
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #ATXEvents #ATXThingsToDo #StayWild #ExploreTexas
Jun 7
Something to make you say WOW!
We’ve loved seeing your reactions to Dinos in the Wild! 🦖🤯 These prehistoric giants are roaming our gardens, surprising visitors young and old. Whether it’s your first time or your fourth, come have your own adventure before they disappear on August 17.
☀️ Summer hours: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. (last entry 2 p.m.)
🦖 Included with general admission, free for members
Plan your visit: wildflower.org/dinosaurs
🎥 Henry Kellison
#DinosInTheWild #WildflowerCenter #FamilyFunAustin #AustinWithKids #Dinosaurs #StayWild
Jun 5
“How’d you find me?” 🦉 Look who was spotted in the Arboretum this morning! 🌳
Thanks to everyone who’s been keeping a respectful distance and quietly enjoying these special sightings. It’s still such a treat watching Athena’s owlets grow.
📷 Bill J. Boyd
#WildflowerCenter #GreatHornedOwl #AustinWildlife #Birding #StayWild
Jun 4
Sensitive briar (Mimosa roemeriana) has leaflets that fold when touched — a subtle, surprising motion that’s easy to miss unless you know to look. 🌿✨
This movement is called thigmonasty — a rapid response to touch or vibration powered by shifting water pressure inside the plant. Scientists think it may help startle herbivores or shake off bugs.
There’s a patch growing near our Observation Tower! Brush gently and watch the magic happen.
More about Mimosa roemeriana at the link in our bio.
#MimosaRoemeriana #SensitiveBriar #WildflowerCenter #StayWild #TexasNativePlants #ATXThingsToDo #NatureMoments
Jun 2
Giant coneflowers aren’t quite dinosaur-sized… but they can grow up to 6 feet tall — tall enough to rival our prehistoric pals in the Family Garden. 🦕🌼
These Rudbeckia maxima are blooming now and make a pretty great photo op if you ask us.
📍Plan your visit: wildflower.org/visit
🌼 Learn more about Giant coneflowers at the link in bio!
#WildflowerCenter #StayWild #ATXThingsToDo #InTheGarden #GiantConeflower #RudbeckiaMaxima #DinosInTheWild
May 31
Help us spread the beauty!
EXPLORE MORE
Expert advice, plant nerdery and inspiring stories
Horticultural Heroes
Rescuing flora from Central Texas’ development boom
Take It Outside
The benefits of hands-on, high-touch outdoor education
Go Big Red
Fans rally to conserve a rare sage