In need of a garden fix a couple of weeks ago, I stopped by Zilker Botanical Garden with my daughter, looking forward to strolling around the gardens for 45 minutes or so. I was surprised when the gate attendant told me admission for two Austin-resident adults is $12. Admission used to cost just a couple of dollars, and when my kids were younger it was free.

If only I’d thought to bring my Wildflower Center membership card with me. I learned later that Zilker honors reciprocal memberships with participating botanical gardens around the country. The lesson? Always carry your membership cards, fellow garden visitors!

Of course Zilker Botanical Garden is cash-strapped and has been working for a few years to build a conservancy to take over management from the city’s over-extended parks department and bring much-needed improvements to the gardens. I applaud those efforts, and I am sure they thought long and hard about raising admission fees. Zilker definitely does need our support.

Here are a few winter-quiet scenes I enjoyed as I walked around the gardens.

In town, Austin has experienced only one or two light freezes so far this winter, and many parts of the gardens are largely green, although flowers are few.

Soon the heat of summer will return, so I plan to soak up as many cool-season garden visits as I can make time for.

There’s always something to see, no matter the season. So how are you getting your garden fix this January?

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Digging Deeper

Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Season 8 kicks off in fall 2024. Stay tuned for more info!

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