Lucille Halsell Conservatory Highlight of San Antonio Botanical Garden
It features traditional formal gardens, native Texas flora and tropical vegetation. And much more: a special rare and endangered section of Lone Star State plants and the Garden for the Blind.
The peace de resistance is the Lucille Halsell Conservatory, 90,000 square feet of climatically controlled glass edifices housing five sections that include an exhibition room, tropical conservatory and a fern grotto, plus desert and palm pavilions.
The supervisor of this amazing tribute to Mother Nature is Paul Cox, who has spent more than half of his 52 years at the complex. He was employed three years before the garden actually opened in 1980.
The native Texan born in Dallas oversaw formation of the East Texas Piney Woods, one of several native Texas areas featuring a one-acre lake, home to such waterfowl as black-bellied tree ducks, mallards, and green herons. Plants native to that section of the state requiring acid, sandy soil and a moist, humid climate include dogwood, lob lolly pine, magnolia and sweetgum.
Other unique displays consist of plant communities characteristic of the Hill Country and Southwest Texas. Several dwellings in the 1800s were reconstructed to help illustrate and interpret regional themes enhancing the three distinctive settings.
A popular area is the $6.9 million conservatory named for the wife of Ewing Hashell, who donated the bulk of the money contributed by several benefactors.
It was no easy task to complete before the opening on Feb. 29, 1988. “The most difficult thing were the plantings,” Cox recalls. “We had to use heavy equipment. Saguaro (large Arizona cacti) and the large palms had to be lifted with huge cranes and lowered through the roof.”
At the garden, progress is the byword. “There’s always construction going on,” he explains. “We’re adding a water conservation landscape demonstration garden. Six little landscapes with buildings. It’s to show water-saving plants and management.”
Operated and maintained by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, the garden is supported by the nonprofit San Antonio Botanical Society, chartered the same year it opened. The society’s creed: connecting people to the plant world through experience, education and research.
One important concern is endangered and rare Texas plants. “We’re part of the Center for Plant Conservation,” says consultant Carl Hagenbuch. “We find these plants all over Texas and bring them here. We care for them. Should the time arise, we want to put them back in the same environment.”
The Carriage House Kitchen, located on the grounds, is a quaint restaurant in the historic Daniel J. Sullivan Carriage House. The dining area occupies part of original structure erected in 1896 and moved from downtown in 1988.
Booth seating is built into onetime horse stalls. It’s the perfect rest stop for visitors. Light is the byword on the luncheon menu: soup and quiches of the day, plus sandwiches like rotisserie turkey and hot ham-Swiss cheese. Salads include the Mama Mac, chicken salad spread over greens and tomato. Desserts are homemade.
Several fund-raising events are staged throughout the year. One of the more popular is Viva Botanica! It’s part of the annual San Antonio Fiesta celebration.
“It’s kind of a birthday celebration,” Cox says of the spring event. “All kinds of plants are for sale. Vendors include food and crafts. Demonstrations include milking cows, demonstrating snakes and spiders and the most popular Birds of Prey with John Kargar who runs the Last Chance Forever and rehabilitates such birds as the American bald eagle, hawks and falcons.
“He brings a trained buzzard for comic relief. The bird flies around and walks on the ground. I remember when the buzzard landed on this bald guy’s head. It was pretty funny. Even he laughed.”
The location is especially popular for private events, parties and weddings, says Shana Marbach, facilities coordinator for more than four years.
“We average about three weddings a month for 150 to 200 people,” she says. “In the spring, sometimes we average three weddings a week.”
The garden can accommodate large crowds. “One of the major social organizations (which wants to remain anonymous) had a party for 2,000,” she recalls.
Perhaps the most satisfying display is the accessible, handicapped attraction the Garden for the Blind. “It’s really good,” says receptionist Sonia Mondragon, who adds that she has “learned a lot. I answer plenty of questions from visitors.”
The garden is designed for those unable to visually experience the beauty of their surroundings. Once a visitor passes through the metal gates, an oak guardrail aids in locating a ceramic model of the layout. A series of metal plaques in large Braille type describe and identify the plants.
The blind experience plants by touch and smell. “The rice paper plant leaves have two textures on both sides,” she explains. “The pineapple sage and society garlic have definite aromas.”
All this proves you needn’t fool Mother Nature – just enjoy!
