Discovering Austin’s Hidden Gem

Discovering Austin’s Hidden Gem

What happens when people who love nature come together? Great things. In this case
the result was Zilker Botanical gardens, an oaisis nestled in 28 acres in the heart of
downtown Austin. The idea for the gardens started in 1946 but it took many years for
the idea to come to fruition. The gardens formally opened in 1964 and have grown and
expanded since then.

Robbie Sherfe, Master Naturalist, Master Gardner and trained docent led us through the
themed gardens, including the Taniguchi Japanese Garden, The Riparian Streambed,
The Hartman Prehistoric Garden, and The Rose Garden.  The gardens are woven
together with pathways, streams, and Koi-filled ponds, creating an urban oasis full of
shaded hideaways, sunny lawn areas, and thousands of native and cultivated plants.
Unique to the garden is the Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden, built by Isamu
Taniguchi when he was seventy years old. Working without a salary or a contract,
Taniguchi spent 18 months transforming 3 acres of rugged caliche hillside into a
peaceful garden. As is often done in Japan, the ponds were designed in the shape of a
word or ideogram. In this case, the ponds in the first half of the garden spell out
“AUSTIN”, reflecting the fact that these gardens were constructed as a gift to the city.
The remains of the Mother Tree, which inspired Taniguchi to complete his building of
the garden, overlook the pond.