To Grow a Garden

Learn about San Antonio's 38-acre oasis

Watering Hour (2014-03-03) by SABOTSan Antonio Botanical Garden

Origins

It was civic influencers Mrs. R. R. Witt and Mrs. Joseph Murphy who devised the first visions of the public gardens for their community. From these early ideas, the San Antonio Garden Center was born.

Foundational Groundwork for the Lucile Halsell Conservatory (1976) by UnknownSan Antonio Botanical Garden

The recommended future Botanical Garden site was a decades-old gift to the City from George W. Brackenridge, given in 1899. After funding was secured, groundbreaking ceremonies were held on July 21, 1976.

First Public Viewings: Lucile Halsell Conservatory (1980) by UnknownSan Antonio Botanical Garden

From Bud to Bloom

The official opening of the San Antonio Botanical Garden was May 3, 1980. 

Potato Heart (2021-10-12) by KelseySan Antonio Botanical Garden

Enriching Lives Through Plants & Nature

That same year the San Antonio Botanical Garden Society, Inc was also chartered to support the Botanical Garden in its role of inspiring people to connect with the world of plants and understand the importance of plants in our lives.

Keep Growing (2016) by SABOTSan Antonio Botanical Garden

Still GROW-ing

In 2017, the GROW campaign introduced a full 8 acres of Garden expansion. Designed to inspire and enrich, these innovative additions set a new standard for guest experience.

Culinary Garden Harvest (2012-01-26) by KelseySan Antonio Botanical Garden

New attractions like the Zachry Foundation Culinary Garden and the Goldsbury Foundation Pavilion now provide an educational space to deepen the understanding of garden-to-table experiences while fostering creative outlets in art and science.

Preperations, Frankie, 2019-03-22, From the collection of: San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Garden Greens, SABOT, 2019-06-25, From the collection of: San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Cocktail Crafts, SABOT, 2022-10-13, From the collection of: San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Family Adventure Garden (2020-02-27) by KelseySan Antonio Botanical Garden

Outdoor Play

Another long-awaited campaign project introduced a hands-on 2.5-acre space that invites families to “come mess with Texas." This space encourages unstructured learning across 15 galleries depicting urban San Antonio, the Hill Country, and South Texas.

While prioritizing themes of ecology, environmental stewardship, and outside exploration, the Family Adventure Garden reminds guests of the value in unlimited play and imagination.

Child and Art, Kelsey, 2021-03-19, From the collection of: San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Sisters Splashing, Kelsey, 2021-06-15, From the collection of: San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Adventure Garden, Limelight, 2018-02-13, From the collection of: San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Cypress Courtyard (2020-09-10) by KelseySan Antonio Botanical Garden


 After a 30 year partnership with the City of San Antonio, the Garden made its transition into privatization in 2019. As it continues to operate on city property, the Garden still embraces the sense of place that makes San Antonio unique. 

Volunteers (2019) by SABOTSan Antonio Botanical Garden

A Deep-Rooted Vision

Today the San Antonio Botanical Garden continues to showcase some of the most evolved displays of native Texas plants, and endangered flora in the state.

To Observe (2021-10-25) by KelseySan Antonio Botanical Garden

It aims to continue to enrich the lives of its guests as it connects them to the natural world, hoping to pass down its mission and preservations for generations to come.

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