The Texas Native Plant Primer

The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center uses native plants to restore and create sustainable, beautiful landscapes. It carries out a mission to inspire the conservation of native plants through its gardens, research, education, and outreach programs. In doing so, the center improves water quality, provides habitat for wildlife, and enhances human health and happiness. In 2017, it was officially designated the Botanic Garden and Arboretum of Texas.

Andrea DeLong-Amaya is the director of horticulture, overseeing the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s gardens and nursery programs with a passion for sharing the value of native plants in planned landscapes. She’s been a staff member since 1998 and has nearly 30 years of experience with native plants in horticulture, ecology and garden design. DeLong-Amaya has appeared numerous times on “Central Texas Gardener,” PBS’s long-running television program, and was a two-time guest on WNYC’s “Science Friday” Jennifer Jewell featured Andrea’s work in her 2020 book, The Earth in Her Hands: 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants.