Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Anytime Is Best Time To Visit!

Are you wondering when is the best time to visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Austin? Wildflowers in Spring are iconic, but the Wildflower Center is worth visiting anytime. Besides the amazing wildflowers that bloom in the Spring, the Wildflower Center has exhibits, art installations, music, workshops and educational events throughout the year.

When Is the Best Time to Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Austin?

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Austin covers 284 acres with miles of trails, gardens and exhibits that showcase the beauty and diversity of over 900 native plants in Texas. The gardens are designed to reflect the different ecosystems found in Texas, including woodlands, meadows, and wetland areas.

If you’re wondering when the best time to visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is, it really depends on your interests. Throughout the year, the Wildflower Center Austin hosts special events like art installations, garden tours, and annual plant sales. The gift shop is a great place to find garden and nature-related gifts. The Wildflower Center also has a cafe that serves sandwiches and drinks.

Best Time to See Wildflowers At Wildflower Center Austin Is March & April

If you are wondering when is the best time to visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Austin to see native wildflowers, visit in March or April. Spring is a fantastic time to visit the Wildflower Center. The wildflowers are thick and the colors are vibrant. Bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas, are especially beautiful and Spring is generally the only time you can see bluebonnets bloom in Texas . If you want to see the wildflowers at their best, plan your trip for March or April.

Lady Bird Johnson Was Pioneer In Sustainable Landscaping

Lady Bird Johnson was the wife of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States. She served as the First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969. Both Mrs. Johnson and her husband, the President, were born and raised in Texas. It was Lady Bird Johnson’s love for the natural beauty of Texas that inspired her to advocate for environmental conservation and beautification efforts across the United States during her time as First Lady.

Lady Bird Johnson once said, “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” Lady Bird Johnson was instrumental in passing the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 while she was First Lady. The Highway Beautification Act limited billboards and planted flowers along American roadways.  

Austin's Lady Bird Lake Is Named After Johnson

After they left the White House, President and Lady Bird Johnson moved to their ranch outside Austin, Texas. In the 1970’s, Johnson was involved in the Town Lake Beautification Project which transformed the Austin riverfront in the downtown and Zilker Park area of Austin. Today Town Lake has been renamed for Mrs. Johnson as Lady Bird Lake. 

Lady Bird Johnson founded the Wildflower Center to educate people about the value of protecting natural habitats and to encourage the use of native plants in landscaping.  Lady Bird Johnson remained involved with the Wildflower Center Austin until her death in 2007. Lady Bird Johnson was a pioneer in natural landscaping and sustainable gardening, but more than that she was an important part of developing the green spaces that make Austin the livable city that it is today.

Online Database Of Native Plants & Annual Plant Sales

The Wildflower Center Austin has the largest online database of North American native plants. Here is a link to the database of North American Native plants from their website.

There are also annual plant sales at the Wildflower Center Austin which often feature a selection of rare or hard-to-find native plant species. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center annual plant sale usually takes place in the spring.