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Welcome Garden
Featuring arching aqueducts, mature oak trees and abundant wildlife, this welcoming entrance garden introduces visitors to the Wildflower Center’s natural beauty. A large cistern highlights sustainable rainwater collection, while the founder’s stone and a quote from Lady Bird Johnson reflect the Center’s mission to protect native plants for future generations.
Nectar Garden
Perhaps the sweetest spot at the Wildflower Center, our Nectar Garden is filled with botanical treats that pollinators just can’t resist. Pause here on your way to the Family Garden to admire the many birds, bees and butterflies that call this garden their favorite lunch spot.
West Texas Garden
Featuring drought-tolerant plants from the mountains of West Texas, this garden highlights species adapted to arid conditions. Iconic pairings like Havard agave and Mexican feathergrass evoke desert highlands, while resilient natives such as blackfoot daisy demonstrate the beauty and practicality of low-water landscapes in a warming climate.
Hill Country Garden
Featuring Texas Hill Country plants, shaded pathways and a gentle stream, this peaceful garden includes a beautiful woodland setting and offers gardeners a stunning example of shade or low-light gardening within a landscape. A chalky limestone area showcases a variety of limestone-dwelling plants such as sumacs and snowbells.
Theme Gardens
The Theme Gardens exhibit the Wildflower Center’s most extensive collection of native plants. Demonstrating just a few of the infinite varieties, uses and adaptations of Texas native plants, the 23 garden beds showcase practical ideas to attract pollinators and create wildlife habitats, water features and drought-smart gardens.
Home Inspiration Gardens
Visit this collection of four gardens that will inspire your own home garden design. Whether your style is naturalistic, contemporary, formal or something in between, you’ll be inspired by the elegance, variety and beauty of native Texas plants. Plant lists for each garden are available on our website.
Schreck Pollinator Garden
Surrounding our newly renovated McDermott Carriage House, the Schreck Pollinator Garden will be a living demonstration of sustainable design. We can’t wait for you to explore this space, which will feature sun-loving native plants that attract monarch butterflies, sphinx moths, bumble bees and more.
Luci & Ian Family Garden
This 4.5-acre family garden provides a nature playground where children and families can explore the outdoors through hands-on discovery. Climb giant stumps, wander a native shrub maze, walk a Fibonacci spiral, splash in a creek with dinosaur footprints, and explore giant nests and other nature-inspired spaces.
Savanna Meadow
A stunning limestone arch flanked by giant live oaks is the gateway to this sweeping native grassland dotted with magnificent trees and seasonal wildlife. Follow a short quarter-mile trail circling the meadow and look for an ephemeral creek bed which flows with water only following heavy rains.
Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum
A one-mile looping path routes through this classic arboretum with 16 acres of Texas tree varieties – from bigtooth maples to pecans and live oaks. In addition to shaded picnic areas, visitors can explore the Hall of Texas Heroes, a collection of live oaks descended from famous and historically significant Texas trees.
Land Management Research Area
More than two miles of trails wind through the Wildflower Center’s natural areas, including the Texas Arboretum and active research plots. Experience Hill Country landscapes up close, from oak savannas to juniper-oak woodlands. These quieter paths offer a chance to explore at your own pace.
Courtyard
At the heart of the Wildflower Center, the Courtyard gathers visitors for music, events, family activities and everyday moments. A simulated Hill Country spring reminiscent of Jacob’s Well in Wimberley is in the middle and surrounded by the Center’s Shop & Gallery, restrooms and drinking fountains.
Observation Tower
Climb the Observation Tower’s spiral staircase for sweeping bird’s-eye views of the Wildflower Center and surrounding Hill Country. Styled after Spanish mission watchtowers and featuring Lampasas brown sandstone, the tower also serves as a 10,000-gallon rainwater cistern. Native plants crown the tower, making it both a scenic lookout and a symbol of sustainable design.
Texas Fernery
Did you know Texas has over 100 species of native ferns, the largest number of any state in the country? Our goal is to have a complete representation of native Texas fern species here at the Wildflower Center. Check out what we’ve collected so far and learn what makes these plants so unique.
Hedge Maze
Wander through a living maze of native shrubs designed for exploration and play. At its center, you’ll find a whimsical frog statue, Prince Ribbert Skeetereater, named by the community. This space offers a fun challenge for kids and a lighthearted way to experience native plants.
Dirt Dig
A hands-on favorite in the Family Garden, Dirt Dig invites young explorers to dig, scoop and build using simple tools and natural materials. This open-ended play space encourages curiosity, creativity and a connection to the natural world through tactile, outdoor exploration.
Robb Family Pavilion
This covered pavilion serves as a central gathering space for programs, classes and special events in the Family Garden. Solar panels on the roof generate a significant portion of the area’s energy needs, reflecting the Wildflower Center’s commitment to sustainability in both design and daily operations.
Lynda’s Library
Nestled in the Luci and Ian Family Garden, Lynda’s Library offers young visitors a shady place to rest and read. The gazebo-like structure features children’s books, benches of native wood and a skylight for a peaceful break from outdoor exploration.
Play Lawn
The Play Lawn combines open space for recreation with a demonstration of ‘Density’ buffalograss, a native turfgrass selected for its durability and low water needs. Stop by to see how native lawns can support more sustainable landscapes while providing space to play and relax.
Wildflower Cave
Sitting in the middle of our Savanna Meadow, Wildflower Cave is home to cave crickets, cliff chirping frogs, western slimy salamanders, and the occasional bat. On special occasions and during pre-arranged field trips, young adventurers can suit up and explore its depths. On an average day, though, we invite you to admire the cave entrance from afar and imagine what lies beneath!
Cecille’s Arch
This Texas limestone arch nestled among giant live oaks is the gateway to the Savanna Meadow, a gorgeous native grassland. Framed by lush flowering natives, and known as the “Wedding Arch,” this is a favorite spot for weddings, outdoor gatherings and memorable photos.
Hall of Texas Heroes
Step into living Texas history in the Hall of Texas Heroes, where young oaks descended from some of the state’s most legendary trees grow in two concentric circles. Raised from carefully collected acorns, this grouping of oaks provides a tangible, living connection to some of the historic events, people and places of Texas.
Kids’ Nature Build
Young visitors with big imaginations are invited to use a variety of curated organic materials like tree stumps, branches and leaves to create their very own secret hideouts. What can you dream up?
Cathedral of Oaks & Tree Swings
Nestled within the Texas Arboretum, this peaceful grove of towering oaks offers shade, swings and space to slow down. Known as the Cathedral of Oaks, it provides a quiet place to rest, reflect and experience the beauty of native trees in a setting shaped by both nature and community.
Research Trails Pavilion
Designed by Lake|Flato, this open-air pavilion provides a shaded gathering space along the Research & Conservation Trails. With simple stone seating and a durable metal structure, it supports outdoor learning and research activities while blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
Prescribed Fire Pavilion
Located along the Conservation Trails, this Lake|Flato-designed structure was created as a viewing area for prescribed burns and land management demonstrations. Today, it offers an elevated perspective on the surrounding landscape and highlights the role of fire in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Birdwatching Blind
This quiet observation structure allows visitors to watch birds and wildlife without disturbance. Slatted walls provide visibility while maintaining cover, and a bench offers a place to sit and observe. It’s an ideal spot to slow down and experience the diversity of species found in the area.
Welcome Center
The Welcome Center will serve as a first stop for visitors arriving at the Wildflower Center. Located in the Auditorium lobby, it will offer helpful information, maps and recommendations from staff and volunteers to help you make the most of your visit.
Auditorium
Inspired by Spanish missionary architecture, the 200-seat Auditorium features large sandstone blocks and wooden beams and hosts lectures, concerts, weddings and workshops. Sustainable features include a rain-harvesting roof, aqueduct and cistern contributing to the Center’s 70,000-gallon rainwater collection system. Stop in for a brief video about the Wildflower Center’s past, present and future.
Little Discovery House
Featuring exhibits on the Wildflower Center’s mission, this space introduces visitors to the legacy of Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes. Inside, displays highlight current research and seasonal blooms, connecting guests to the gardens beyond. As it evolves, future updates will bring more interactive experiences for visitors of all ages.
McDermott Carriage House
This repurposed 19th-century carriage house was originally built in 1885 by John Driskill, founder of Austin’s Driskill Hotel, to house horses that pulled carriages and delivery wagons. After its relocation and onsite restoration, the historic building is now used as an events space.
Shop & Gallery
Discover plant-inspired treasures while supporting the Wildflower Center. The Shop & Gallery features a curated collection of art, handmade goods, gardening tools, books and unique local products celebrating wildflowers, native plants and the state of Texas.
Café
We’re reimagining our on-site café. While it is closed for renovations, please check our website for updates on temporary food and drink options or pack a picnic basket of your own to enjoy in a shady spot.
Great Hall & Classrooms
With high ceilings and walls of stone and glass, the Great Hall is one of the most impressive structures at the Wildflower Center. This stunning space hosts weddings, team retreats, holiday parties and more. Peer out the windows at the Savanna Meadow and see what’s currently in season or descend the staircase to the classrooms to expand your native plant knowledge.
Library
The Library houses thousands of images, books and plant resources supporting native flora cultivation, conservation and preservation. Open by appointment only, this non-lending research library also serves as a rental venue, offering vaulted ceilings, natural light, and an intimate setting for meetings, retreats or small gatherings of up to 30 people.
Administration
This ranch-style building houses the Wildflower Center’s staff and daily operations. Designed with sustainability in mind, it incorporates features like rainwater harvesting and climate-responsive materials. It is also home to the volunteer program and serves as a hub supporting the Center’s mission and work.
Arboretum Trail
The Arboretum Trail winds through towering oaks, open fields and wildflower-filled spaces. Stroll beneath the Cathedral of Oaks, enjoy swinging beneath the trees, or visit legendary oaks in the Hall of Texas Heroes. With benches, picnic spots and water fountains along the way, this scenic trail invites visitors to explore and unwind.
John Barr Trail
The John Barr Trail offers a short, peaceful loop of .25 miles or connects to the longer Simmons Research Trail, guiding visitors through an outdoor classroom of native landscapes. Stroll past wildflower meadows, shrubs and trees and, in spring, enjoy a vibrant display of colorful blooms.
Simmons Research Trail
This .6-mile trail highlights the ongoing research by the Center to understand the impact of fire, grazing and mowing on native landscapes. Here you’ll find experimental plots and researchers working on real-time data collection to determine how native plants are responding to temperature, stormwater runoff and more.
Woodland Trail
The Woodland Trail offers a short, peaceful stroll through quiet woodlands and along a creek bed through the Center’s most extensive collection of mature trees. Enjoy shady groves, native shrubs, bronze wildlife sculptures and emerge into an open meadow seasonally lush with colorful wildflowers.
Roadrunner Trail
Named for frequent roadrunner sightings, this trail abounds with wildlife from lizards and deer to butterflies and beetles. Linking the Texas Arboretum with the Hill Country Trails, the Roadrunner Trail offers a distinctly Texas route through open fields and native landscapes with scenic views of native shrubs, trees, cacti and wildflowers.
Savanna Meadow Trail
This short trail winds through vibrant wildflower meadows and prairie grasses, offering scenic views of the Central Complex. Visit Cecille’s Arch, a favorite photo spot, and glimpse the Wildflower Cave, where water filters into the Edwards Aquifer. Enjoy seasonal blooms and chance encounters with pollinators and other natural wonders.