ADULT PROGRAMS
The Wildflower Center offers abundant opportunities to learn about Texas native plants, gardening, nature art, photography, writing and more — including our very popular Native Plant Gardening Series.
Classes generally happen during spring and fall, with other programs occurring throughout the year.
May 2018
Presentation: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason
Come hear from Michael Eason, author of the newly released "Wildflowers of Texas" as he talks about the wonders of Texas' favorite flora. The presentation will be followed by a book signing at the Wildflower Center Gift Store. This event is free with admission. Admission is always free for members! Once again, spring has returned to Texas--and so have the wildflowers! With their arrival comes a new addition to the bestselling Timber Press Field Guide series. This compact guide will…
Find out more »Birds & Blooms – NEW
Early birds of all ages can join a nature walk to observe flowers and feathered friends in our gardens.
Find out more »Nature Drawing
Develop skills in composition, drawing technique and color blending. Learn to create proportionally correct forms and believable textures.
Find out more »Texas Arboretum Walk
Explore the wonders of native trees in the Texas Arboretum with a knowledgeable docent. Bring your binoculars and look for birds or simply enjoy the stroll on one of our most shaded* trails and learn about native plants and Texas history along the way. *There are still several sunny spots and we recommend water, sunscreen and a hat! This tour is free with admission. Registration is encouraged. Register: May 6 Register: May 20
Find out more »Art Show Opening: Joseph Hammer
The art of recycling! Everyday objects, from old books to croquet balls to printers' blocks and tintypes, re-created and given new life as art. The exhibit will include a selection of Hammer's rarely exhibited 3-D assemblages, plus an unprecedented preview of collages for the artist's upcoming major fall show at Austin's Davis Gallery. Join us for an opening reception with the artist at the Wildflower Center Gift Store: Saturday, May 26, 2- 4 p.m. Beverages and small bites will be…
Find out more »Guided Garden Tour
Tour our gardens and trails with a knowledgeable volunteer docent and learn about native plants and the history and architecture of the Center. Each of our docents bring their own special knowledge and interests to the tour, and sites change throughout the seasons. Garden tours are always free with admission to the gardens; inquire at the Admissions Kiosk! Interested in volunteering for our educational programs? Inspired by nature? Come share your passion! In spring we have weekly training and volunteer opportunities with…
Find out more »June 2018
Tai Chi
Learn and practice with the guidance of an expert in the serenity of the gardens.
Find out more »Thorns & Blooms: Growing Cacti
Many spiny species also have beautiful blooms! Discover them on a behind-the-scenes tour of our greenhouse and learn how to grow cacti at home.
Find out more »Summer Care for Native Plants
Interested in converting your yard into drought-resistant native plant habitat? Learn tips and tricks for keeping Texas plants healthy.
Find out more »Native Host Plants for Butterflies & Moths – NEW
Learn to create a host-plant haven for the larvae of Texas butterflies and moths with native plants in your garden.
Find out more »Tai Chi
Learn and practice with the guidance of an expert in the serenity of the gardens.
Find out more »July 2018
Drawing I – Short Form
Presented in partnership with the Contemporary Austin Art School. You can draw! Practice with a new drawing medium in each session of this course. Enjoy drawing success in the very first class. Throughout the course you will refine your technique while focusing on still-life and found objects in a supportive environment for beginners.
Find out more »Tai Chi
Learn and practice with the guidance of an expert in the serenity of the gardens.
Find out more »Teacher Workshop: Growing Up WILD
This workshop will introduce educators to the Growing Up WILD (GUW) curriculum, an early childhood education program encouraging children to be curious about explore the natural world. Through experiences and activities, GUW provides positive impressions of the natural world alongside social and academic skills. This program is open to both formal and informal teachers. The workshop fee includes instruction, materials and the curriculum guide, which: Is written especially for early childhood educators (of children ages 3-7) Features over 400 nature-based experiences…
Find out more »August 2018
Luscious Landscapes (Watercolor Painting)
Seven-week course presented in partnership with Contemporary Austin Art School. Transparent watercolor is the perfect medium for capturing landscapes. Create beautiful light patterns and establish a mood in your paintings by working in the studio as well as our gardens and natural areas. Some experience with watercolors is recommended.
Find out more »September 2018
Native Plant Gardening Series: Small-lot Landscapes
Part of the Native Plant Gardening Series, this class is ideal for participants designing landscapes with one acre of land or less; perfect for designing yards and gardens. Take the classes individually or enroll in the entire series and save.
Find out more »Native Plant Gardening Series: Plants I
Part of the Native Plant Gardening Series, in this class students will identify and learn about a variety of plants native to Central Texas, unique growing characteristics of each, and how to choose the right ones for a garden. Take the classes individually or enroll in the entire series and save. This is one of our most popular offerings!
Find out more »Native Plant Gardening Series: Large-Scale Design
Part of our popular Native Plant Gardening Series, this class is ideal for participants designing landscapes with one acre of land or more. Take the classes individually or enroll in the entire series and save.
Find out more »Series: Watercolor — Basics and Beyond
This six-session course is presented in partnership with the Contemporary Austin Art School. All levels welcome. Lessons will include wet-into-wet washes, wet-on-dry washes, color theory, composition, and ways to create glowing color like those you see in our gardens and natural areas!
Find out more »Native Plant Gardening Series: Plants II
In this continuation of our popular Native Plants Gardening Series, dig deeper into the topic of Texas flora. Learn about native plants and where to find them as well as resources to keep growing. Take classes individually or enroll in the entire series and save.
Find out more »Wildflower Tiles With Alcohol Inks (Beginner)
Learn to create eye-catching wildflower ceramic tiles with alcohol inks and canned air using a unique technique! Go home with three charming tiles and a crafty new skill.
Find out more »Native Plant Gardening Series: Installation
Part of our popular Native Plant Gardening Series, this class is ideal for those wanting to learn about site preparation, irrigation, planting best practices and mulch application for a healthy garden. Take classes individually or enroll in the entire series and save.
Find out more »Dog Days of Fall
Grab your canine bestie and head our way for fun, dog-friendly activities in the gardens. Two days only!
Find out more »Foraging for Native Edibles (CANCELLED)
This program has been cancelled due to expected inclement weather.
Find out more »Native Plant Gardening Series: Maintenance
In this continuation of our popular Native Plant Gardening Series, gain knowledge of plant physiology, gardening tools, watering guidelines and more. Take classes individually or enroll in the entire series and save.
Find out more »Native Plant Gardening Series: Pest Management
In this final installment of the Native Plant Gardening Series, learn to identify common beneficial and harmful insects in your garden. This class also covers pest management, treatment and safety practices. Take classes individually or enroll in the entire series and save.
Find out more »Austin Museum Day
Join us for activities all over the Center with story time, presentations, demonstrations and tours throughout the day. Free admission.
Find out more »Gardening for Newcomers
New to Texas or just new to gardening? Come meet some natives and learn where to plant them and how to keep them healthy!
Find out more »Moonlight Hike (CANCELLED)
Join us on an after-hours, moonlit hike throughout the gardens and the Texas Arboretum.
Find out more »Fortlandia Grand Opening Weekend
Your secret hideouts awaits. Join us for a magical weekend for the first look at our Fortlandia exhibition.
Find out more »The Plants That Shaped Texas (NEW)
Texas landscapes range from lush and fruitful to rough and tumbling, and native plants have shaped life in the Lone Star State from past to present.
Find out more »Guided Garden Tour
Tour our gardens and trails with a knowledgeable volunteer docent and learn about native plants and the history and architecture of the Center. Each of our docents bring their own special knowledge and interests to the tour, and sites change throughout the seasons. Free with admission to the gardens.
Find out more »October 2018
Native Bees of Texas
Why are native bees such a buzz-worthy topic? These magnificent, hard-working insects are diverse, fascinating and vital to landscapes. Learn about bee ecosystems, morphology, behavior and society, nesting habits, diets, and how to tell bees from wannabees (mimics). We'll talk conservation too!
Find out more »Foraging for Native Edibles
Discover edible native plants you can forage and harvest in Central Texas.
Find out more »Plant ID Walk & Learn
Get to know your natives! Learn how to ID plants using a key and other observational techniques.
Find out more »Landscape Design Studios I & II
This two-class course takes principles from our “Native Plant Gardening: Landscape Design” into a studio environment with guidance from an expert horticulturalist.
Find out more »Series: Drawing I – Short Form
Seven-session course in partnership with Contemporary Austin Art School. You can draw! Practice with a new drawing medium in each session of this course. Throughout the course you will refine your technique while focusing on still-life and found objects in a supportive environment for beginners.
Find out more »Forts by Moonlight Hike (CANCELLED)
Join us on an after-hours, moonlit hike throughout the gardens and the Texas Arboretum.
Find out more »Bees, Brews & Beyond
Cheers to pollinators! Grab your smartphone or camera and carpool with an adventure buddy to Vista Brewing where wildflower fields, farms and thoughtfully designed grounds are a perfect place to snap beneficial fauna in action and share to Instagram or iNaturalist for the 2018 Texas Pollinator Bioblitz.
Find out more »Kokedama: Art Meets Botany in Japan
Journey to a land of soil and moss (Japan!), where the art of Kokedama originates. This ornamental plant sculpture is a style of bonsai, where plants' roots are bound into a spherical form. Guest lecturer Young Choe will explain how Kokedama and Kusamono similar potted arrangements) are created and teach about their cultural history and significance. Attend lecture, workshop or both.
Find out more »Are You Strong Enough to Be My Plant?
Foot traffic, children at play, dogs with the zoomies and hot, dry summers — what's a yard to do? Find out what plants are tough enough to handle the heat, wear and tear in this new workshop taught by our Family Garden horticulturist. We'll point out low-maintenance plants that can survive and thrive in lived-in Texas landscapes.
Find out more »Movies in the Wild: Coco (CANCELLED)
Our Family Garden is transformed into an outdoor theater for Pixar's "Coco." Come early for Day of the Dead activities.
Find out more »November 2018
Migratory Birds in the Landscape
Join birders from Travis Audubon and horticulturists from the Wildflower Center on a walk focused on plants that migratory birds rely on for food and shelter.
Find out more »Botany X-Files (CANCELLED)
Investigate what plants are on your plate and in those pills! Open to everyone; educators get CPE credit.
Find out more »Texas Arboretum Tour
Get your steps in while exploring the wonders of native trees (plus shrubs, grasses, flowers and more) in our Texas Arboretum, one of the most shaded trails at the Wildflower Center. Walks will focus on native flora and Texas history, and you'll likely see feathered friends along the way.
Find out more »Series: Nature and Abstract Drawing
Seven-week course In partnership with Contemporary Austin Art School. Learn how to create abstract drawings using natural forms as inspiration. Class will start plant and natural element studies and discover how to transform these representational objects into abstract formal compositions reflecting the individual.
Find out more »Fire & Water Walk (NEW)
On this tour of the gardens and natural areas, discover how fire and water are used in managing plants and landscapes at the Wildflower Center. Learn about our impressive rain catchment system and cisterns and visit the research plots where prescribed burns are conducted. Free with admission to the gardens.
Find out more »Series: Botanical Illustration
Seven-class series in partnership with the Contemporary Austin Art School. Enhance your drafting skills through drawing plant forms. Create detailed illustrations using a variety of papers with graphite, colored pencils, and ink. Enjoy and experience the native plants at the Wildflower Center by sketching flora in and out of the studio.
Find out more »Series: Watercolor — Basics and Beyond
This six-session course is presented in partnership with the Contemporary Austin Art School. All levels welcome. Lessons will include wet-into-wet washes, wet-on-dry washes, color theory, composition, and ways to create glowing color like those you see in our gardens and natural areas!
Find out more »Guided Garden Tour
Tour our gardens and trails with a knowledgeable volunteer docent and learn about native plants and the history and architecture of the Center. Each of our docents bring their own special knowledge and interests to the tour, and sites change throughout the seasons.
Find out more »
4801 La Crosse Ave.
Austin, TX 78739
512.232.0100
Map
Contact Us
OUR MISSION
Inspiring the conservation of native plants