Wildflower Center offers beauty in Texas heat

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Beautiful blooms cover the Yellow Bells plants at the Center. This and all the plants can be seen during the "Nature Nights" events, set for each Thursday in July from 5:30 to 9 p.m. A different topic will be covered each night. -- Staff photo by Taylor

July 14, 2005 - With temperatures hovering around 103 degrees, visitors to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin were few on July 6. The heat didn't stop a number of brave families, though, from taking the grounds tour and noting which native plants can "stand the heat" of a South Central Texas summer.

Most of the counties in the area have seen little or no rain for the past month, and the lush green pastures and fields of wildflowers have turned crisp and brown, in many areas. At the Wildflower Center, visitors can still find color … just not as abundant as some other times with cooler temperatures and adequate moisture.

The plethora of plants within the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is evidence of their mission to "educate people about the environmental necessity, economic value and natural beauty of native plants." The Center, founded in 1982 by Lady Bird Johnson and the late Helen Hays, is dedicated to "protecting and preserving North America's native plants and natural landscapes." There are over 30 species of native flowers, along with a number of native grasses.

"Wildflowers and native plants are as much a part of our national heritage as Old Faithful or the Capitol Building," cited Lady Bird Johnson in the Center's literature. "It is our obligation to keep the beauty of the landscape as we remember it in our youth … and to leave this splendor for our grandchildren."

The National Wildflower Research Center opened at its present location on April 8, 1995, with the name being changed to honor Lady Bird in 1998. What started out as a 45-acre Center, has grown to 279 acres, thanks to land gifts in the area. The added acreage has allowed the Landscape Restoration Program to develop, which, in turn, helps Texans decide on what might/should grow well in their areas.

During July, the Center, along with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is sponsoring "Nature Nights," every Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m., at a cost of $1 per person. Subjects to be addressed include hummingbirds and habitats; Texas snakes; Texas frogs and "summer night serenades;" and Texas night-time insects … good and bad.

Presently, there are 16 gardens within the Center to visit, from the Entrance Garden containing an evergreen Mountain Laurel to a Butterfly Garden which illustrates what type of habitat attracts area butterflies. There are four trails for hiking, including the Savanna Meadow Trail, Woodland Trail, John Barr Trail and the Restoration Research Trail. The latter two are wheelchair accessible.

Outdoor classrooms offer information on Persimmons, Elbow-bush, Agarita and Cedar Elm.

Finally, there are 11 facilities to visit, including an observation tower, library and a Children's Little House.

In early July, Yellow Bells, Western Wild Petunias and the Spineless Prickly Pear displayed their beautiful blooms, seemingly ignoring the hot, dry weather.

The Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is located at 4801 La Crosse Ave. in southwest Austin. Information can be obtained at 512-292-4100 or www.wildflower.org.