If you want to shoot wildflowers this spring the Wildflower Farm in Fredricksburg may be the only place you'll find them.We are in a drought and dry winters mean little to no wild flowers.

I think around Brenham (not the hill country) is where you see a bigger display of wildflowers, however there's been a drought all over so as snappybob said there might not be much.

This is a neat place...

Here is a link that might be useful: wildseedfarms

This place is also neat. See link below... I've been 15 years ago, 10 years ago, and 2 years ago. 2 years ago it had gone to crap. But, the website says it's under new ownership and might be worth a look. It's only one minute away from the main drag in Fredericksburg, so it's not a big deal if you don't like it (that is, if you went to Fredericksburg to shop to begin with).

Don't forget about Enchanted Rock.

There are also lots of neat wineries and lavender farms around Fredericksburg if you are interested in those.

There is a winery just outside of Lago Vista, which is on one of the "wine trails". They have a pond garden which is really pretty but not worth a trip, imho. I always go look at it when I am there, but it is just a small little area.

The San Antonio Botanical gardens are always worth a visit no matter what time of year. You might want to head that way...

And, Brenham is a beautiful area, as lyfia suggested. They do have hills, and dairies, and they are not far from famous barbecue country.

So, you can find stuff to do, and things to photo, but trying to catch wildflowers at their peak is difficult even for people who live here.

I hope you have a great trip!!!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Herb Farm

Sorry to hear about Wild Flower Farms, they seemed to be doing fine when they were at Eagle Lake. Hate to hear of any business going under. There are places in Texas the will fool anyone. I have been in west Texas in the spring and got to see over 200 miles of flowers covering both sides of the road and back for at least 40 yards. Some times we just get lucky. Hope they enjoy their adventure.

Wally it wasn't the wildflower farm that went down hill it was the herb farm. But it looks like they are fixing it back up according to the website.

Thank you, that's just the type of places I'm looking for. I plan on going to Enchanted Rock. I've been there and had a blast but that was back when I could camp out. The funniest thing happened when we camped there. We came back from a hike and ate some canned chili, while I was down at the water faucet cleaning out the pan and some bowls the kids had left their bowls on the table and by the time they went back to get them a raccoon had gotten one and took off with it. I never heard so much yelling, the raccoon just ditched the bowl and started running around in other peoples camps they were all yelling here he is. DH had all the camping he could stand being in the service, so he only camps out in hotels LOL.
Barb

Barb, if y'all like antiquing and poking around hand made things, old farm equipment, etc., then the Fredericksburg trade days are great. They only have it one weekend a month. You can get their schedule at the link below.

And here's the chamber of commerce site. It's a really good one for finding stuff to do and the calendar of events, etc.

http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/

Hope you share some pics, if you get to go.

Here is a link that might be useful: Trade Days

Thank you trsinc, that is another passion we have :). This would make it a better trip for DH knowing it's not just about plants, flowers.

If you are in the hill country around Jonhson city, Bamberger Ranch is a large several thousand acre ranch that has a wildflower tour. They do all sorts of semenars on land management and eco tourism. Interesting place. It has to be on one of their open days. Check out their cite. Also there is the Benini foundation and Sculpture Ranch. They have art on a 100 acre ranch in the area.
http://www.bambergerranch.org/
http://www.sculptureranch.com/sculptureranch.htm

And if you go to Johnson City, another place you have to see is the Silver K Cafe. We were there last February.

Pam

Here is a link that might be useful: Johnson City

OOOOO, Pam I remember you showing us that place, that is a must see tooooooo.

Barb

The state puts out maps for touring wildflower routes, I believe. Just be aware, the heart of the Hill Country is in a drought termed Exceptional, the highest drought level. If you go to Fredericksburg, Natives of Texas nursery is just a little farther, west of Kerrville. Medina Garden Nursery is in Medina, Texas, a charming little town.

Here is a link that might be useful: Drought Map

Wow Linda! That drought map says a lot. I told y'all it was DRY in San Antonio! LOL

I'm glad wantonamara mentioned the Bamberger Ranch. I don't know about flowers to photograph, I visited there in the fall, but it is an absolutely wonderful place to tour and LEARN, and there are beautiful grasses, trees, vistas, and animals to photograph, probably flowers too in the spring. What they have done there is phenomenal.

Happy gardening -- with rain or not.

If you go through lockhart stop by blacks barbecue his brisket only has salt and pepper nothing else best stuff you have ever tasted. And if you go to austin theres zilker park botanical gardens and a sculpture garden.
plus the beautiful capitol.

I just wanted to throw in another vote for the sculpture ranch. And, to thank wantonamara for posting about it. Hubby and I went today and really enjoyed it. The websites pictures don't do it justice and neither do mine, but I'm attempting to post a couple pics. You get to see sculptures in a really rustic setting with beautiful hill country views. It's a place we'll visit from time to time...

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Oh wow! And I'd never heard of this place. Thanks for your pictures Tammy. Now I wanna' go!

I especially like the last one. What a darling group of happy images! Whoo hoo!

You're getting a lot of good ideas Barbara. Better plan for about a two week visit to hit them all :-)