The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

What it is

Lady Bird Johnson, a former First Lady who campaigned for planting wildflowers along American highways, founded this centre with the actress Helen Hayes in 1982. It is now part of the University of Texas at Austin and serves as the state's botanic garden. Everything grown is native to Texas. Stone buildings collect rainwater, and paths lead through meadows, a woodland garden, a family garden and demonstration plots that show how to use native plants at home. In late March and April the meadows flower with bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, pink evening primrose and winecups. It is the place to learn the names before driving the Hill Country.

Before you go

• Early April is the usual bluebonnet peak. The centre posts bloom updates each spring.
• Go in the morning. Texas afternoons are hot even in spring.
• The staff can tell you which country roads are flowering that week.

The flowers you will see

Texas bluebonnetThe blue wildflower that is the state flower of TexasPink evening primroseA pink wildflower that opens at night and spreads across open groundFirewheelA daisy-like wildflower with red, orange, and yellow petals

Also part of it, and being written: Castilleja indivisa.

More in United States

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