TABGA CONFERENCE, DALLAS ARBORETUM, DALLAS, TEXAS – FEB 12 – 14, 2020
In an attempt to organize all the Botanical Gardens, Arboreta and Public Gardens and Parks under a single umbrella – the Texas Association of Botanical Gardens was created in 1991. The individuals behind the formation of the organization were Paul Cox (deceased), Linda Gay (retired from the Mercer Arboretum, now at Arborgate), Henry Painter (retired from the Fort Worth Botanical Garden) and Dave Creech (SFA Gardens). An agreement was reached that the TABGA would have no by-laws, no committees could be created, and there would be only one annual meeting per year – and the host for each annual meeting had to cover all the costs. Since those early days, annual meetings, usually in February, have been well attended – and provide Directors and staff the opportunity to get together, review the past year, and share in the joys and tribulations of gardening in Texas. Select nurserymen and landscapers often intend as invited guests. While not all of the gardens of Texas attend the annual conference, most do. The following list is a good starting point for those looking for a listing of the public gardens in Texas. If you find any problems with the list or descriptions, please contact Dr. Dave Creech at dcreech@sfasu.edu – he cheerfully serves as the informal webmaster of this one web page Association. It’s what happens when an army of professionals keeps it simple.
NORTH TEXAS
567 Maddux Road, Weatherford, TX; Mailing Address: P.O. Box 276 Mineral Wells, TX 76068; Phone 940.682.4856; ; Fax 940.682.4078 Email: info@clarkgardens.com; Director – Carol Clark Montgomery carol@clarkgardens.com; Event Coordinator – Melissa Barry Melissa@clarkgardens.com; Group Tours, Memberships and Administrative Assistant -Beverly Hayes Beverly@clarkgardens.com
Surrounded by native woodlands and tucked away down a country road between Weatherford and Mineral Wells, is Clark Gardens Botanical Park. Its story is one of hard work, dreams and the visions of Max and Billie Clark. What began as the Clark’s private garden in 1972 – a small personal endeavor of traditional landscaping on this rugged Texas hillside – is now a botanical masterpiece. Much of this world of tranquility – this unexpected treasure – was sparked by Billie Clark’s inspirations. In 1999, Max and Billie established the Max and Billie Clark Foundation and donated 143 acres, including the gardens, to this new non-profit organization. The gardens are an educational and scientific facility as well as a working model of beautiful, yet sustainable, landscapes. The native Texas and Texas adaptable plants the park exhibits are low maintenance and many are drought tolerant. On April 22, 2000, Clark Gardens opened its gates to the public and has been declared one of the most beautiful gardens in Texas. Visitors may take a photo journey of the making of Clark Gardens Botanical Park, and read more about its unique history when they visit the History House in the Park’s West Garden Area.
Box 255, 711 West Lee Ave., Weatherford, Texas 76086; 817-361-1700 Steven Chamblee, Horticulturist – schamblee@weatherfordtx.gov
Weaving the mysterious elements of Chinese architecture into the elegance of a formal English garden, the 3.5-acre former estate of portraitist Douglas Chandor was designed & built to delight your heart and revive your senses. Each of the garden’s fifteen rooms will enchant you. From the 20 foot stone boulder waterfall to the formal bowling green to the mysterious dragon fountain, something wonderful awaits you around every bend.
825 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218; Phone: 214-327-8263; 214-327-4901 Event Hotline; Jenny Wegley, Horticulturist – jwegley@dallasarboretum.org
The Dallas Arboretum is a sixty-six acre arboretum and botanical garden. It is devoted to research and education, as well as to public display. Plan a full day here in the spring or fall. The Dallas Arboretum has amazing color displays and has developed a cutting edge evaluation program for new plant materials.
3220 Botanic Garden Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76107; phone: 817-871-7686; Bob Byers, Director, Bob.Byers@Fortworthtexas.gov; Steve Huddleston, Director of Horticulture Steve.Huddleston@fortworthtexas.gov; Rob Bauereisen, Grounds manager at Robert.Bauereisen@fortworthtexas.gov; Gail Manning, education horticulturist at Gail.Manning@fortworthtexas.gov; Kathleen Cook, landscape architect at Kathleen.Cook@fortworthtexas.gov; Leslie Pool, Garden center coordinator at Leslie.Pool@fortworthtexas.gov
The oldest botanic garden in the state of Texas, the Forth Worth Botanic Garden consists of 110 acres within the cultural district of Fort Worth. It features 23 gardens, among them the rose garden, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, a 10,000 sq. ft. conservatory that houses a tropical collection, and the beautiful Japanese Garden. Opened in 1973, the Japanese Garden covers 7 ½ acres of varied topography and includes authentic Japanese architecture, koi ponds, waterfalls, and meticulously-maintained plant material, including a vast assortment of Japanese maples.
411 Ball Street, Grapevine, Texas 76051-5113; Telephone: 817-410-3470; Kathy Nelson, Parks Department, Capital Improvements Project Manager, knelson@grapevinetexas.gov
This garden is a beautiful treasure in the heart of historic Grapevine – an excellent place to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquil surroundings of nature. This special garden welcomes visitors with hundreds of varieties of plants, extraordinary scents to tantalize, and the therapeutic beauty that a day in the garden provides. The gardens are an ideal location to exercise, hold a wedding or special event and take those special family photos.
HOMESTEAD HERITAGE TRADITIONAL CRAFTS VILLAGE
P.O. Box 869, Elm Mott, Texas 76640; Phone: 254-754-9600; Email: info@homesteadheritage.com
This is an all-organic establishment with planting scattered around the grounds. The Homestead Heritage Village is a working farm featuring a herb garden, perennial borders, old roses and vegetable gardens.
1612 W. Henderson Street; Cleburne, Texas; Mailing address: City of Cleburne, Community Service, P. O. Box 677, Cleburne, Texas 76033; Grace Clanton 817-487-0761; Kristi Dempsey 817-645-0949 or (817) 556-8858
Winston Patrick McGregor Park will is at the corner of West Henderson and Colonial Drive. The land, financial gift and house were bequeathed to the City of Cleburne by M. Frank Scott, longtime resident of the City. The 10-acre park is a botanical style park featuring native plants and plants that are suitable for the Cleburne area. The park has walking paths, a pavilion/gazebo, a pond with fountain, children’s garden, memorial grove and a variety of educational and recreational activities. The house, now completely restored, is used for meetings, small receptions, and other gatherings. The gazebo will accommodate concerts, weddings, and other events.
TEXAS DISCOVERY GARDENS AND CONSERVATORY
3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, P.O. Box 152537, Dallas, Texas 75315; Phone: 214-428-7476; Email: TDG@TexasDiscoveryGardens.com
Texas Discovery Gardens and Conservatory is a seven acre arboretum and display garden. It is designed to showcase native plants in an urban environment and teach the conservation of nature. The tropical conservatory doubles during the State Fair as a living butterfly exhibit.
THE HEARD NATURAL SCIENCE MUSEUM AND WILDLIFE NATIVE PLANT GARDEN
One Nature Place, McKinney, Texas 75069; Phone: 972-562-5566; Email: info@heardmuseum.org
A 289 wildlife sanctuary that is glorious in spring and fall. The museum is beautifully integrated into the beauty of this Texas landscape. The Texas Native Plant Display Garden harbors over 200 plant species, including some seldom seen in public collections, like Texas aloe and the native black cherry.
8101 Anglin Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76140; Phone: 817-572-0549; Email: Weston@westongardens.com
The Weston Gardens in Bloom is a retail nursery covering seven acres and a display garden covering four acres in the gardens. The gardens feature English-style mixed borders, old roses and native plants.
Clapp Park, 4111 University Avenue, Lubbock, Texas 79413; Phone: 806-797-4520; Email: lubbockarbo@lubbockarboretum.org
A fifty-five acre arboretum and research site, exhibiting landscape use of native and adapted plants.
EAST TEXAS
8500 Bay Area Boulevard, Pasadena, TX 77507; Phone: Local (281) 474-2551; Tom Kartrude, Executive Director, Phone: 713 274 2666; Email: tom@abnc.org
ABNC was founded in 1974 as a result of efforts begun by an environmental visionary, Armand Yramategui. Armand foresaw the urban growth around Armand Bayou and strove to have this land remain a wilderness. Armand’s tragic death in 1970 inspired a local, regional and national coalition of people and organizations to acquire the 2500 acres of land now preserved as ABNC. ABNC is a non-profit organization that was established with the mission preservation and environmental education.
BEAUMONT BOTANICAL GARDENS AND THE WARREN LOOSE CONSERVATORY
Bert & Jack Binks Horticultural Center, 6088 Babe Zaharias Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77705; Phone: 409-842-8129; Gary Outenreath, Horticulturist: goutenreath@yahoo.com
A 10,000 square feet glass conservatory displaying thousands of tropical plants. The tropics come alive, with a water lily pool full of fantail goldfish, edged by Victorian water lilies from the Amazon, plus foliage and flowering tropical plants of every imaginable description.
13062 Farm Road 279, Chandler, Texas 75758; Phone: 903-852-3897
Blue Moon Gardens is a six acre cottage garden, greenhouse and retail nursery. The gardens are clustered about a farmhouse that’s nearly a century old and newer buildings that carry out the same style, this is a cottage garden par excellence. Be careful visiting the nursery; it’s easy to get carried away with the wonderful diversity of ornamental plants.
EAST TEXAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL SOCIETY
1601 Patterson Road at Highway 175 West, P.O. Box 2231, Athens, Texas 75751; Adam Black, Director of Horticulture, Email: decatropis@gmail.com or: info@eastexasarboretum.org
The Arboretum and Botanical Society is a 100 acre nature trail and associated gardens. The property includes an1850s dogtrot house as home to a small museum, a large open-sided pavilion and numerous color gardens.
420 Rose Park Dr., Tyler, Texas 75702 (Highway 31 West at Rose Park Drive); Phone: (903) 535-0885; Fax (903) 535-0884; Email: ggrantgardens@yahoo.com
Right next to the Municipal Rose Garden, the 8,000 square foot IDEA garden offers a tranquil setting, designed for the serious gardener seeking new ideas or for the enjoyment of the casual visitor. The garden features more than 90 varieties of flowers, trees, shrubs, grasses, ground cover and bog plants. Some are new or currently underutilized, but all are adapted to the Northeast Texas area. Also featured are new plant promotions and plants being tested and evaluated for use in our region. All plants will be grown in an environmentally friendly manner using water conserving methods. The IDEA Garden features several composting methods. The IDEA Garden, the Shade Garden, the Sunshine Garden, and the Heritage Rose Garden are all maintained by the Smith County Master Gardeners
JASPER ARBORETUM AND OUTDOOR LEARNING CENTER
225 Water Street, Jasper, TX 75951 (1 block south of the courthouse); Mailing address: Jasper Master Gardeners c/o Texas A&M AgriLife, 271 E. Lamar, Suite, 200, Jasper, TX 75951. PHONE: 409-384-3721 or call the Chamber of Commerce at 409-384-2762; Email: sharonruthkerr@gmail.com
This 14-acre complex features several park areas sponsored by a coalition of organizations and the City of Jasper. The original plans for the gardens were designed by horticulturalist Dr. Dave Creech at the request of Estelle Debney, founder of the Jasper Arboretum board, with the support of the Woman’s Civic Club. Sandy Creek runs through the center of the park from Hwy 96 to the scenic stone-arched Main Street bridge. The north bank features formal gardens, children’s Kiwanis Park, and Library Gardens (dry garden, rose garden and butterfly garden). The historic Beaty-Orton House built in 1888 is surrounded by the sunny garden (color plantings and heritage azaleas) and the home itself is filled with period antiques. The house is open for tours by appointment only and may be reserved for special events like weddings and quilt shows. The newest addition to the park is the Master Gardener greenhouse and Outdoor Learning Center. In front of the greenhouse is a pergola with brick patio and swings, a favorite lunchtime stop for downtown Jasper. Behind the greenhouse is a potting shed/classroom overlooking Sandy Creek, where otters sometimes play. Next to the greenhouse is the Butterfly Gardens. During Butterfly Festival (first Saturday in October), a section of the butterfly gardens next to the greenhouse is netted over to be a protected butterfly house where children can get a closer look at the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly. One goal is to raise enough money to build a permanent butterfly house that will be open year-round. Future development on the south bank will include a larger pond with fountains, footbridge over the creek, nature trail with Texas native plants and a log cabin nature center. Both the Jasper Arboretum and Jasper Master grdeners are 501(c)3 non-for-profit organizations.
LONGVIEW ARBORETUM AND GARDENS
Director of Parks and Recreation, PO Box 1952, Longview, TX 75606
Email: info@longviewarboretum.org; Phone: (903) 237-1398
The Longview Arboretum and Gardens will be located on 28.62 acres of city-owned flood plain land adjacent to the Maude Cobb Convention & Activity Center in Longview, Texas. The mission statement states that the goals of the garden are to enhance the natural beauty of East Texas, preserve and protect the clean air, clean water, good soil, trees and abundance of living plants in the East Texas area; to enhance natural and native habitat with a minimum amount of disruption and intrusion, and to build an entity that will reflect the grace of God and His creation that East Texas citizens can enjoy and help preserve for generations.
Near Lufkin, Texas. Jim Carcano, Director of Horticulture, Email: jim@lovettpinetum.org
The Lovett Pinetum began with Dr. Robert Lovett’s enthusiasm for conifers. On 14 acres near Springfield, Missouri, he began experimenting with planting several different speciesofpine starting in 1970 and continuing through today. In 1997, the Lovett Pinetum was formed as a non profit to continue the further development and management of the collection. The pinetum has grown to 108 acres in Missouri and includes a 43 acre site in Lufkin, Texas. The Pinetum collection includes more than 500 species, varieties, and cultivars of conifers. Visitation is ONLY by appointment.
1906 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701; Phone: 409-832-2134
The McFaddin-Ward House is an estate garden on the grounds of a 1906 Beaux Arts Colonial style house. It is three landscaped blocks including buildings; 40,000 square feet in lawns and 20,000 square feet in garden beds.
QUITMAN ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDENS (aka Gov Hogg Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens)
100 Gov Jim Hogg Parkway, Quitman, Texas 75783; Contact information: Pam Riley 903-466-4327 (President) pam_riley2003@yahoo.com; Vice President – Jan Whitlock j_whitlock@hotmail.com; Treasurer – Linda Avant; Secretary – Deanna Caldwell; Email: friendsarboretum@yahoo.com
A new 23-acre garden in Quitman, Texas, with the crown jewel being the Stinson house. The Stinson House was built in 1869 by James A. Stinson in Pine Mills, Texas–about 15 miles east of Quitman at the intersection of Highway 154 and 312. Ima Hogg was instrumental in having the Stinson House moved to its current site (at the back of the Governor Hogg Park) in 1968. The house has six fireplaces (one in each room). Central air and heat as well as electrical lights have been added. A room off the front porch that is separate from the main house was originally used by the family for workers or travelers to spend the night. That room has been converted to a bathroom. After the house was moved to its current location in 1969, it was owned and operated by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. The house served as a museum and housed Hogg family furniture for several years until the museum was closed due to lack of funding. The house then sat empty and unused for a number of years until it was finally incorporated into the Arboretum in October of 2009.
1900 West Front Street, Tyler, Texas 75702; Phone: 903-531-1212; email: info@tylertexas.com
The Municipal Rose Garden is fourteen acres dedicated for public display and research. The garden has some 38,000 to 40,000 specimens of more than 500 varieties, mostly modern. The is one of the largest collection of roses open to the public in the whole world.
Stephen F. Austin State University; P.O. Box 13000, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962-3000; Phone: 936-468-4343; Dave Creech, Director: dcreech@sfasu.edu; Anne Sullivan, Administrative assistant, sullivanfa@sfasu.edu; Dawn Stover, Mast Arboretum: dawnstover@sfasu.edu; Elyce Rodewald, Environmental Education: erodewald@sfasu.edu; Duke Pittman, Landscape Manager: pittmanwesle@sfasu.edu
Located on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, SFA Gardens includes the SFA Mast Arboretum, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, Pineywoods Native Plant Center and the Gayla Mize Garden. Each of the gardens offers a unique outdoor experience. From a vast and diverse collection of rare plants from around the world, to Texas’ largest azalea garden, to gardens and nature trails dedicated solely to native plants, and a new network of hiking and biking trails. The SFA Gardens serve to promote plant diversity in the landscape while serving as a living laboratory for SFA students, faculty and the nursery and landscape industry. SFA Mast Arboretum was established in 1985, the Mast Arboretum is 10 acres built entirely around themes and is used as display gardens for research and education. A green laboratory and a cornucopia of diversity, this garden serves as a teaching tool for the Horticulture program and is a must-see garden stop for visitors to Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas. The Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden – over eight acres, 7000 azalea plants (500 varieties), 200-plus varieties of Japanese maples, 200-plus camellia varieties, 200 Hydrangea varieties, and much, much more, this garden encompasses forty beds and over 1.2 miles of walking trails. SFA’s Pineywoods Native Plant Center is the third garden in the USA affiliated with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center with a mission to display a wide range of plants native to the Pineywoods. With over 2.2 miles of all-season trails and forty acres, this garden is a remarkable island in the middle of a busy city. Finally, the Gayla Mize Garden is eight acres initiated in 2010 and is part of the 68 acres of the SFA Recreational Trails and Gardens with a focus on deciduous azaleas, their hybrids and wide ranging collection of trees and shrubs in our never-ending trials to find plants with promise.
SHANGRI LA BOTANICAL GARDENS AND NATURE CENTER
2111 West Park Avenue, Orange, Texas 77630; Phone: 409.670.9113; FAX: 409.670.9341; Rick Lewandowski, Director. E-mail: info@shangrilagardens.org; Jennifer Buckner, Horticulture Director: jbuckner@shangrilagardens.org
Nestled within 252 acres in the heart of Orange, Texas, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is a program of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, a private foundation whose mission is to improve and enrich the quality of life in Southeast Texas and encourage and assist education. The unique ecosystem of Shangri La presents an ideal opportunity to further that mission as well as carry on the vision of H.J Lutcher Stark, the man who originally developed it more than 60 years ago. The formal Botanical Gardens contain more than 300 plant species in five formal “rooms” as well as four sculpture “rooms.” Adjacent to the Botanical Gardens is a bird blind which allows visitors to observe nesting birds in Shangri La’s heronry. The Nature Center includes a hands-on exhibit called the Nature Discovery Center, a laboratory, and three outdoor classrooms located deep in the cypress swamp. The Orientation Center includes an Exhibit Hall, Discovery Theater, Children’s Garden, Exhibition Greenhouses, Café, and Garden Store. Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is the first project in Texas and the 50th project in the world to earn the U.S. Green Building Council’s Platinum certification for LEED®-NC, which verifies the design and construction of Shangri La reached the highest green building and performance measures. As one of the most earth-friendly projects in the world, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center offers a glimpse of how people can live in harmony with nature. The combination of gardens and nature at Shangri La presents a serene oasis for retreat and renewal, as well as the opportunity to explore, discover and learn. Visit Shangri La and rekindle your sense of wonder.
THE GARDENS AT TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY
600 John Kimbrough Boulevard, Texas A&M University 2142, College Station, TX 77843-2142; Joseph Johnson, Gardens Manager; Phone: 979-862-1697; Email: Joseph.Johnson@ag.tamu.edu
The Gardens at Texas A&M University are envisioned as a place of beauty, a peaceful sanctuary on campus, and a place where everyone at Texas A&M and the surrounding community can relax, enjoy and learn simultaneously. The Gardens project will restore, preserve, and develop nearly 40 acres riparian way into an aesthetic, functional public garden to conduct formal teaching, research and extension/outreach activities. The Gardens will serve as an outdoor classroom for faculty and staff to teach students and the public valuable concepts about food production, landscape beauty and the natural environment. Construction began in June 2016 on the 7 ½ acre Leach Teaching Gardens that will serve as an outdoor teaching, education, and demonstration venue centered on garden design, installation and management. The Leach Teaching Gardens expected to be completed in the spring of 2018 will contain a collection of thematic gardens focused on: vegetable and food production; butterfly, bee and bird gardens; Earth-Kind® techniques and Texas Superstar® plants; student-designed and constructed rotating gardens; our garden heritage; and more.
CENTRAL TEXAS
10,000 Hwy 50, 7561 East Evans Rd, Independence, TX 77833; Phone: 979-836-5548 and the FAX is 979-836-7236 and in San Antonio, TX 78266 the phone is 210-651-4565 and the FAX is 210-651-4569; Open in Independence Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm and Sun 1:30am-5:30pm – and in San Antonio Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm and Sunday 11:00am-5:30pm
With two locations, visitors can wander through an amazing nursery and garden displays that features pass-along plants, proven performers and a plethora of own-root antique roses. Heirloom gardening at its finest.
BEND OF THE RIVER BOTANIC GARDEN
7915 S. General Bruce Drive, Temple, Texas 76502; Currently open as Park rental space only; 254-913-1013; Zoe Rascoe, VP BOTR Botanic Garden Foundation – zrascoe@brc.tamus.edu
Bend of the River Botanic Garden will provide Central Texas with a natural space for learning, research, cultural enrichment, and leisure activities. The 90 acre Garden site will offer venues for public and private events, opportunities to improve health and wellness in a natural setting, cultural and educational programming and research, and serve as a destination for the enjoyment of nature and outdoor recreation. The Master Plan will be finalized in early 2017 with a capital campaign to follow.
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
4801 La Crosse Avenue, Austin, Texas 78739-1702; 512-292-4100
As a wildflower center perfectly adapted to its environment, this display garden educates the public in the use and utility of regional plants. The garden consists of many small cultivated beds, including 23 theme gardens, and several miles of trails through the wonderful Hill country of Texas.
3801 Old Bull Creek Road, Austin, Texas 78703; Austin Parks and Recreation Department; 512-974-6700
Mayfield Park Garden is twenty-three acres of public park with both natural woodlands and landscaped gardens, including a herb garden. Not all of the acres are cultivated.
9001 Bosque Blvd., Woodway, TX 76712; 254 399-9204; Janet Schaffer, Director. Email: arboretum@woodway-texas.com
Nestled in the rolling hills of Woodway, Texas you will find quaint pocket gardens and a rustic nature trails throughout this 16 acre facility. The Carleen Bright Arboretum celebrates and shares the distinct beauty of gardens and natural environments in Central Texas; it is a year-round focus for community life.
605 Robert E. Lee Road, Austin, TX 78704; For Museum information, call (512) 445-5582; Fax. 512-445-5583
Several paths take you through the garden to discover over 130 sculptures by Charles Umlauf, an internationally recognized sculptor. Sculptures range from detailed realism to lyrical abstractions. Family groups, animals, religious and mythological figures, and nudes are featured in the collection. The figures are crafted from wood, terra cotta, stone, bronze, and marble. This serene and shady spot is wonderful for escaping the Austin summer heat while still communing with nature and art. A stream runs through the garden, forming small pools at various spots. Both the museum and the garden are accessible to people with disabilities.
425 Wildflower Hills, P.O. Box 3000, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624; 830-990-1393; 800-848-0078; email: wsf@fbg.net
Wildseed Farms is a two hundred acre working farm and display garden set up to give visitors a close-up view of some of the crops. It is a world leader in producing wildflower seeds. It includes 70 acres of bluebonnets as well as trails through the growing areas and beside sizeable display beds.
Wild Basin Wilderness, 805 N. Capitol of Texas Hwy., Austin, Texas 78746; Director Monica Swartz, Wild Basin Director; 512-233-1619; monicasw@stedwards.edu
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve was founded in 1974 to protect 227 acres of pristine Texas Hill Country and to provide nature education programs. Visitors enjoy 2 1/2 miles of hiking trails that pass through woodland, grassland, and streamside habitats. These habitats are home to threatened and endangered species, and hundreds of native plants, animals and birds. Wild Basin’s nature education programs are funded by special events, memberships, corporate donations and grants.
SAN ANGELO INTERNATIONAL WATER LILY COLLECTION
The Civic League Park is located at 24 South Park Street, between Beauregard and Harris Street.
In 1988, Ken Landon joined hands with city officials to create a lily pool at Civic League Park. The neglected pond, built in 1934, as a reflection pool, was a gooey bog when then city parks director, Jimmy Rogers asked city council members to approve an “Aquatic Beautification Project.” After receiving the go-ahead, the two men and members of the San Angelo Council of Garden Clubs rolled up their sleeves and set to work. Soon, thousands of people were flocking to the park to look at the lilies. September and early October are the “Spring time” of flowering for lilies. However, something is always blooming in the collection April through October. The spotlights are turned on the night bloomers, and the park is also well lit and safe.
2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78746; 512-477-8672; Melissa Bartling, Horticulturist 512- 477-8672 ext. 15; Email: melissa.bartling@austintexas.gov; Elizabeth McVeety, Garden Center Coordinator 512-477-1750; Email: elizabeth.mcveety@austintexas.gov; Julyette Evans, Events Coordinator 512-477-8672 ext. 10; Email: julyette.evans@austintexas.gov; Website: ww.austintexas.gov/department/zilker-metropolitan-park and http://www.austintexas.gov/department/zilker-botanical-garden
Zilker Botanical Garden is located on 26 acres in the heart of Austin in Zilker Park. Beautiful theme gardens include rose, herb, daylily, iris, fern, and azalea collections as well as the native Green, Taniguchi Japanese, Hartman Prehistoric, and Butterfly Gardens.
SOUTH TEXAS
COCKRELL BUTTERFLY CENTER AT THE HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
One Hermann Circle Drive, Houston, Texas 77030; 713-639-4629
The Butterfly Center in a three-story, cone-shaped glass conservatory. It was built and is maintained especially as a living exhibit of butterflies. The conservatory bloomed an Amorphophallus titanium in 2010, which was a signature event and greatly increased attendance.
SOUTH TEXAS BOTANICAL GARDENS AND NATURE CENTER
8545 South Staples, Corpus Christi, Texas 78413; 361-852-2100; FAX: 361-852-7875; Michael Womack, Executive Director, Email: wmwomack@stxbot.org
A one hundred-eighty acre combination botanical garden, with both highly cultivated exhibits and nature trail featuring native plants and wildlife including extensive natural areas and endangered species.
100 Lee Lane, Lyford, TX 78569; (956) 262-2176; Paul Thornton, Botanical Garden Manager pthornton@hilltopgardensaloe.com ; Cynthia Gonzales, Visitor Services associate; cgonzales@hilltopgardensaloe.com; 956-262-2176
Hilltop Gardens is 25 acre tropical healing garden that is surrounded by a 500 acre organic farm. Hilltop Gardens is located in the Rio Grande Valley.
Hilltop Gardens, the historical home of Aloe, is far from the sounds, lights, and energy of the city. It is a place to experience nature….a place to enjoy…. a place to learn….and a place to revitalize your mind, body and spirit with activities that focus on the restoration, nourishment, and preservation of an environment that promotes wellness. The concept of the gardens is based on the healing power of aloe and has been designed as a respite from the hectic world. It’s a place where our visitors can learn, explore and experience nature. It’s a place that promotes wellness of mind, body and spirit. The gardens are surrounded by a 500 acre experimental farm, a 12 month operation that grows premium quality crops. The farm is certified both organic and global GAP (Good Agricultural Practices).
HOUSTON’S HERMANN PARK CONSERVANCY
Hermann Park Conservancy, 6201-A Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77030; Doreen Stoller, Executive Director; 713-524-5876 ext. 331; doreen@hermannpark.org
A major park with public gardens and expansive green areas.
Administrative Office: 3701 Kirby Drive, Suite 992, Houston, Texas 77098; 713-715-9675; Email: info@houstonbotanicgarden.org; Claudia Gee Vassar, Interim Executive Director: cgvassar@houstonbotanicgarden.org; Jose Leal, Office Manager: lleal@houstonbotanicgarden.org
The future site of the Houston Botanic Garden is a 120-acre site with a mature tree canopy located on Sims Bayou. The natural oxbow and the channel create an island that, along with the southern gardens across Sims, will host a variety of collection and display gardens, event spaces, educational exhibits, and research facilities. The Houston Botanic Garden strives to enrich life through discovery, education, and the conservation of plants and the natural environment.
JAPANESE TEA GARDEN (CHINESE TEA GARDEN, SUNKEN GARDEN)
3875 N. St Mary’s Street, San Antonio, Texas 78212; Phone: (210) 735-0663
This is a Japanese-style garden, with large lily pond and lush semitropical planting. Contains many more flowering plants than most gardens of this type, incorporating native perennials and colorful annuals throughout. This site is designated as a Texas Civil Engineering Landmark and a Registered Texas Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
22306 Aldine Westfield Road, Humble, Texas 77338-1071; 713-274-4160; Emails: Darrin Duling, Director at dduling@hcp4.net; Anita Tiller, Botanist at atiller@hcp4.net; Jeff Heilers, Greenhouse Manager at jheilers@hcp4.net; Chris Ludwig, Horticulturist at cludwig@hcp4.net; Jamie Hartwell, Volunteer Coordinator at jhartwell@hcp4.net; Maryanne Esser, Board President of The Mercer Society at msociety@hcp4.net
Mercer Botanic Gardens is over 325 acres of beautiful public gardens. The gardens feature an outstanding collection of gingers, bamboos, and trees and shrubs adapted to the Gulf Coast region.
MOODY GARDENS RAIN FOREST PYRAMID
One Hope Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77554; 800-582-4673; Email: Danny Carson, Horticulturist dcarson@moodygardens.org; Donita Brannon, Rain Forest Horticulturist donitab56@gmail.com
A ten story glass conservatory, re-creating conditions in the world’s rain forests. It is home to thousands of flora and fauna. The conservatory includes plants, fish, butterflies, birds, bats, and insects from American, Asian, and African rain forest.
RIVER OAKS GARDEN CLUB GARDEN AND AZALEA TRAIL
2503 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77098; Phone: 713-523-2483
Several acres of classic old world formal garden. Bayou Bend Collections and Gardens is a new LEEDS Silver building worth a trip and is part of the
555 Funston Place at North New Braunfels, San Antonio, Texas 78209; 210-536-1400; Executive Director Bob Brackman Email: john.brackman@sanantonio.gov
This botanical garden is planted and maintained for the purposes of education and research, as well as the conservation and display of plants from around the world. Includes a conservatory, display gardens, formal beds and native planting. The garden covers thirty-three acres.
Route 1 Box 40, Alamo, Texas 78516; 956-787-2040
This is a five acre wholesale and retail nursery. Thousands upon thousands of desert plants live and thrive in this natural rock garden setting, representing about 2,000 different kinds of cacti. The gardeners propagate them on site, thus preserving rare and endangered species. Harry passed away June 4, 2010 and we are not sure of the status of his amazing collection. No link to a website specific for this garden but I’ve included a description. Needs checking.
301 South Border, Weslaco, Texas 78599; 956-969-2475
A five acre educational nature park featuring native flora unique to the local ecosystem. “A secret garden in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley.”
WEST TEXAS AMARILLO BOTANICAL GARDENS
1400 Streit Drive, Amarillo, Texas 79106; 806-352-6513; email: jackie@amarillobotanicalgardens.org
A four acre garden designed to provide horticultural education for the region. It includes display gardens, a conservatory, a gallery for exhibitions, classrooms and a 1,600 volume library, making it a valuable resource for the community.
BARTON WARNOCK ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER
HC 70, Box 375, Terlingua, Texas 79852; Phone: 915-424-3327
The environmental education center is a two-acre botanical garden set within 99.9 acres of natural area. The garden features plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert.
CHIHUAHUAN DESERT GARDENS OF THE CENTENNIAL MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
Centennial Museum, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 79968-0533; John M. White, Garden Curator, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, University of Texas at El Paso, Centennial Museum Rm. 305, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX 79968; (915) 747-5335 Office; (915) 747-5411 Fax; email: museum@utep.edu
A two acre teaching and research garden open to the public for both formal and informal education in the use of native plants in the low-water landscape. This assemblage of 430 species is one of the largest collections of Chihuahuan Desert plants in the world.
TEXAS A&M AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION CENTER
Xeriscape Demonstration Display Garden, Texas A&M University, 1380 A&M Circle, El Paso, Texas 79927
A demonstration xeriscape garden, using plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert, as well as other arid regions, for research and education. The High Desert Cactus Garden is outstanding. I’m not sure of the status of this garden.
Texas A & M University, College Station, TX Feb 2018
Grapevine, Texas Feb 2017
Moody Gardens 2016
Chandor Gardens 2014
Bayou Bend 2012
Zelker Botanical Gardens, Austin, TX 2009
San Angelo, TX 2007
Dave Creech 
Wonderful post! May I share it? Sue Orwig, Houston, Tx
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Reblogged this on Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog.
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