EDUCATION ABOUNDS!

Major floral exhibits include the Orchid House, Exhibit House, Plumeria Collection, Sensory Garden, Hibiscus Garden, Arid Garden, Rose Garden with Rose Garden Pavilion, Water Garden, Hummingbird Garden and Landscape Demo Beds surrounding the Visitors Center. The 3000-plus orchid collection recently was featured in Texas Highways magazine.  

A “Walk on the Wild Side” --through protected natural wetland and native habitat--features the shaded Bird & Butterfly Trail, Birding Tower, Palapa Grande on Gator Lake, Wetlands Awareness Boardwalk plus the Oso Creek Loop Trail. Under construction is a Tree Demonstration Garden.  A Native Plant Garden is in design stage.  The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, based in Washington, D.C., recently honored the Gardens & Nature Center’s $90,000 Wetland Water Containment, Restoration & Boardwalk project at an award ceremony and media conference.

The Botanical Gardens has a full calendar of horticultural and environmental educational classes and workshops for adults; children’s gardening programs and Wilderness Experience Kids Camp; plus the SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL & PLANT SALE in April; AUNT FLORA’S NATURE FEST & FALL PLANT SALE in October; and KRISTIE KRINGLE’S GARDEN SHOPPE OPEN HOUSE in early December.