San Antonio Botanical Gardens Paradise for Gardeners

If you're a gardener whether San Antonio resident or visiting San Antonio you owe yourself a trip to the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. Located on the former Brackenridge waterworks, the 33 acres showcases the best of Texas gardening in one location.

The gardens are a unique public private partnership between the City of San Antonio and a group of interested citizens organized under a 503(c) organization called the Botanical Society. Starting with an idea of several San Antonio residents in the 1940's the San Antonio Botanical Gardens opened in May 1980.

The gardens are grouped into three main areas: formal and display areas which showcase the current blooming displays, the Conservatory with its global displays and the Texas Native Trail with its regional gardens.

In the display gardens one of my favorites is the Rose Garden which has not only the latest hybrids with their showy blossoms but the old fashioned ramblers seen in many older Texas yards.

Another display is the Sensory Garden originally built for the blind. It's truly worth the time to let your fingers guide you through this section of the garden with its variety of tactile plants. Braille descriptions are posted throughout the Sensory Garden.

The Sister City program showcases the Kumanoto En garden. The relaxing arrangement will truly take you away from San Antonio where you can imagine yourself in Japan. The plant arrangements and buildings serve to reinforce the experience.

If a trip to the rain forest isn't in your budget this year you can still view the plants in the conservatory. With the displays of orchids, tropicals, palms, ferns, and aquatic plants you will feel far removed from everyday life in Texas. The smells and gorgeous colors will have you wanting to linger here for hours.

Other displays in the conservatory include cacti, and a palm forest where you feel dwarfed by the huge canopy of palms. The display and humidity leave you imaging a location far, far away.

For those new to Texas or looking for inspiration the Texas Native Trail is sure to provide ideas and inspiration for what to plant in the three different ecosystems that make up this area of Texas including the Hill Country, East Texas pine woods and South Texas.

The Texas Native Trail combines homes recalling the old style houses of the areas with plantings which demonstrate what best grows in each ecosystem.

One of San Antonio's best kept secrets is the annual membership program of the San Antonio Botanical Gardens. As the commercial says, "Membership gives opportunities," and the San Antonio Botanical Gardens proves that with membership activities year round. From Chocolate Day in February, to Shakespeare in the Park in June and the many plant sales throughout the year members can take advantage of the special events offered at the Gardens free or at a reduced rate. One summer favorite are the Concerts Under The Stars held throughout June, July and August. There's always something going on at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.

There are a variety of membership levels available, but basic membership packages are: $45 membership for two and $60 membership for 2 plus 4 children or others. If you or your family live in San Antonio the San Antonio Botanical Gardens are a great place for a picnic or just to sit back and enjoy the gardens.