Want to know how accurate our staff’s Ice Age impressions are? 🦣There are only a few days left to experience Ice Age in the Wild before these prehistoric creatures go extinct (again) after Aug. 15!

Make the most of the final days:

🌙 Friday, Aug. 14, 6–8:30 p.m.: Join us for Ice Age Night, featuring the exhibit after dark, free face painting, a prehistoric craft, a dance party, food trucks and adult beverages.

🎬 Plus, tomorrow, Aug. 13 at 11 a.m.: Catch Ice Age during the final screening of our Summer Film Series, included with general admission.

Tickets for Ice Age Night are available through the link in our bio.

#IceAgeInTheWild #WildflowerCenter

Is your garden thirsty or just surviving the Central Texas summer? 🌿

In August, it’s completely normal for many native plants to look a little worse for wear. Closed leaves, afternoon wilting, yellowing foliage and even summer dormancy are all natural ways plants conserve energy and make it through the hottest part of the year.

Wildflower Center horticulturist Sophie shares how to tell the difference between normal summer heat stress and signs that your plants actually need more water, plus a few tips for watering effectively.

Please note: This guidance is specific to native plants growing in Central Texas and may not apply to plants in other climates or regions.

#WildflowerCenter #NativePlants

What`s blooming this week? Meet eryngo (Eryngium leavenworthii)! 

One of our favorite late-summer wildflowers, eryngo puts on a spectacular show just when many other blooms begin to fade. It’s often mistaken for a thistle, but is actually a member of the carrot family.

Kyle’s here to share why this unique Texas native is worth a closer look, including its brilliant color, value for birds and ability to reseed itself for future seasons.

Don`t forget to plan your Tuesday and Thursday visits to cool off in our air-conditioned auditorium for the final two weeks of our Summer Film Series. It`s included with admission, making it an easy way to enjoy both the gardens and a movie in one visit.

What other late summer bloomers are your favorite? 🌿

Squeeze in one more summer memory before the school year begins. Join us for Ice Age Night at the Wildflower Center on Friday, Aug. 14, to experience Ice Age in the Wild after hours.

Wander among towering prehistoric mammals, enjoy free face painting and a prehistoric craft, dance the evening away in the Great Hall and grab dinner from @dulcefridaatx, @eatjabs or @thecorndogcoatx.

It’s also one last hurrah for Ice Age in the Wild before the exhibit closes on Aug. 15.

🎟 Tickets
• $15 for non-members (ages 3+)
• $10 for members (ages 3+)

Please note: The gardens will close at 3 p.m. and reopen at 6 p.m. for this event. Regular daytime admission does not include entry to Ice Age Night.

Get your tickets through the link in our bio - we’d love to see you there! 🦣

🎥 @ticomendoza

Good things come in pairs.

Today is the final day of our summer fundraising campaign, and your gift can go twice as far. Thanks to a generous last-minute challenge, every gift made today will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $20,000, through midnight tonight.

Help us make the most of the match and finish strong!

Give today: wildflower.org/donate

#WildflowerCenter #StayWild

Step inside the Little Discovery House and you’ll find a space designed for curious minds. Sketch the birds you spot outside the window. Take a closer look at tiny flowers through a microscope. Flip through nature books, explore what’s blooming in the gardens, or borrow a magnifier and add your latest discovery to our new i-Spy observation log.  

If you’re visiting with kids, this is a stop you won’t want to miss. They can learn through play, make their own observations and see what other young explorers have discovered before them.  

Next time you’re here, set aside a few extra minutes to wander inside! 

Plan your visit: wildflower.org/visit 

#ATXThingsToDo #AustinTX #NaturePlay

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) has been especially abundant this year thanks to all the rain, making it a great time to brush up on how to identify it.

You’ve probably heard “leaves of three, let it be,” but that rule isn’t always enough. Several common plants in Central Texas have three leaflets too.

In this video, Kyle Cheesborough, our Director of Gardens & Collections, walks through one of the most reliable ways to distinguish poison ivy from several common lookalikes, including agarita (Mahonia trifoliolata), dewberry (Rubus trivialis), cow itch vine (Cissus trifoliata), aromatic sumac (Rhus aromatica) and box elder (Acer negundo).

Be sure to save this video for the labeled comparison guide at the end - it may come in handy on your next hike or while working in the yard.

#PoisonIvy #CentralTexas #WildflowerCenter

Today’s dose of cuteness: two young fawns spotted in the Savanna Meadow. 🥹🦌