Although its name is a bit of a misnomer — the gardens at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center showcase native Texas trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials, succulents, vines, and water plants, not just wildflowers — the Wildflower Center really does shine in early spring when bluebonnets, pink evening primrose, columbine, and Indian paintbrush begin their rainbow show.

A morning visit last Saturday turned up loads of cars in the visitor lot (a sure sign of spring) and loads of wildflowers, like these red and yellow columbines.

Charming, bright-yellow large buttercup (Ranunculus macranthus)

Can a tree be considered a wildflower? Nah, but flowering trees add so much beauty to the spring garden. This is Mexican buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa). I have one in my own garden, although it doesn’t bloom as much in dappled shade.

The Lilliputian king of Texas wildflowers, Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis). It’s peaking along Austin’s highways, but I think it’s got another week or two of peak bloom at the Wildflower Center. Don’t hold me to it though!

Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia). I’d love to find a spot for this woodland beauty. My friend Cat recommends it but warns it goes dormant in August, so plant Turk’s cap or another late-flowering perennial nearby to pick up the baton.

More bluebonnets with the distinctive stonework of the Wildflower Center in the background.

And more! Are these darker than usual, or is it a trick of the camera? I’m not sure.

Golden groundsel (Packera obovata), a shade lover

Masses of golden groundsel!

Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), one of my favorite native vines

The coral-red, tubular flowers are a favorite of hummingbirds.

More bluebonnets looking gorgeous paired with blue-green American agave

Singing the blues

Mexican plum (Prunus mexicana) is one of my favorite flowering trees. It has a sweet-spicy scent that kind of tickles my nose, and bees love it.

The flowering branches have such delicate beauty.

Golden groundsel along a gravel path

Ka-pow!

Among flowering trees, Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora) reigns supreme in my heart. It was blooming when I first visited Austin and helped me fall in love with the city.

More of the Wildflower Center’s beautiful stonework

An iris blooming in the entry pond

And look whooo’s back: Athena the great horned owl, sitting on a clutch of eggs in the sotol planter high up on the wall.

Her mate has been feeding her in the evenings, we were told, and perhaps soon the little owlets will hatch.

With so much springing to life, it’ll soon be time for a return visit to the Wildflower Center.

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Digging Deeper

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