Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin’s southwest includes botanical gardens, hiking trails, as well as a research center including the Restoration Research Trail.
After leaving Washington DC Lady Bird Johnson worked to encourage the beautification of Texas highways.
Mrs Johnson’s passion for the environment and wildflowers eventually lead to the creation of The National Wildflower Research Center just east of Austin.
The membership expanded rapidly and in 1995 the current location opened, renamed in 1998 as The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Lady Bird Johnson – My special cause…
Whenever my mom visited Austin we would go to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to see the flowers and walk some of the trails.
My mom is an avid gardener and turned her entire front lawn and most of the back lawn into a gorgeous English-style garden which I refer to as Mumsy’s Garden and I photograph every time I visit Calgary.
She can quote all the Latin names whereas I usually stick with simple descriptions such as ‘pretty blue flower’ or ‘tiny pink blooms’.
Stacked turtles sunning on a rock in the lily pond
I love the lily pond and water feature near the entrance of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. The turtles always seem to be posing for visitors – particularly the two above! The turtles are adorable.
When can you see bluebonnets blooming in Austin?
Around early to mid-April the bluebonnets in Texas are at their peak. They begin to bloom starting as early as late February and continue through the end of April.
My favorite time of year to visit the Wildflower Center is in the springtime when the bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) and Indian Paint Brush (Castilleja indivisa) are in bloom. Early March through mid-April these wildflowers show off their gorgeous colors.
The bluebonnets and other wildflowers bloom more profusely after plenty of rain in early spring followed by mild weather and sunshine.
When there is a lack of moisture the flowers do not bloom in abundance. Big Bend National Park in west Texas had a stellar bluebonnet season in 2019 due to lots of precipitation.
Another feast for the eyes in Austin during early spring is Zilker Botanical Garden and the Red Bud trees blooming bright pink.
Bluebonnets and Indian Paint Brush bloom in springtime in Austin TX
There is always something blooming at the wildflower center. It is amazing how many gorgeous flowers bloom through the brutal Texas summer heat.
Mrs Johnson’s legacy lives on and Texas looks more beautiful thanks to her efforts. Town Lake was renamed Lady Bird Lake in honor of Mrs. Johnson.
You can visit President Johnson’s hometown of Johnson City west of Austin. It’s a pretty drive but try to do it mid-week when traffic is lighter.
From there you can drive to Fredericksburg and hike Enchanted Rock but be sure to bring water and a sun hat.
Coral Honeysuckle blooming at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Yucca plant in bloom on the grounds of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Tangerine Crossvine
When I first moved to Austin I planted a Tangerine Crossvine in a pot on my deck and it bloomed in bunches of beautiful orange trumpet shaped flowers.
It’s one of the easy flowering vines to grow in Texas. The Tangerine crossvines at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center are amazing.
Tangerine Crossvine blooming along a fence at the wildflower center
Crossvine decorate the stonework at the entrance of the Wildflower Center
Great Horned Owls nesting at wildflower center
Also watch for the pair of owls that have been nesting at the center for the past several years. The staff told me they had three chicks this year.
I took a photo but my camera wasn’t sharp enough (or perhaps it was me!) to capture much detail but you can make out mama owl at least.
Great Horned Owl – Mama owl on her nest at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Lunch at the Cafe
When you get tired and hungry stop by the Cafe and enjoy a treat. I recommend the Hibiscus Mint tea – it is a gorgeous color and very refreshing!
The Hummingbird sandwich with fruit and yummy cheesecake at the Wildflower Cafe
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Info
Contact information
Address: 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX
Phone Number: +1-(512)-232-0100Hours for Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- 9 am – 5 pm daily
- Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 24, 25, 31 and January 1
- Open until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays starting mid-March
- Member Mornings: Members get special early access to the gardens at 7:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays beginning mid-March
Wildflower Center Admission Fees
- Adults $15
- Students (non-UT students) and seniors $10
- Youth (age 5 – 17) $8
- Military (with ID) $13
- Children under 4 years old: FREE
- UT students, faculty and staff (with ID) FREE
- Members: FREE
Directions to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
From downtown Austin:
- Head West toward Guadalupe Street
- Turn LEFT onto Guadalupe Street
- Turn RIGHT onto Cesar Chavez Street
- Keep left at the fork and watch for Mopac TX-1 South
- Merge onto TX-1 South Mopac Expressway
- Continue for 9 miles (14.5 km)
- Turn LEFT onto La Crosse Ave
- Turn RIGHT at the entrance to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center