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Carleen Bright Arboretum 2010
Waco, Texas

Located on the southwestern edge of Waco, Texas the Carleen Bright Arboretum is actually a park in the city of Woodway containing a whole series of diverse environments.

Rose Garden Pink Rose Yellow Rose

They do have roses just because they do thrive in the hot Texas environment if they get enough water.

Blooming argive Agave stalk Rock Fountain

Remember that this far inland is a borderline desert area and they have a very nice collection of cacti and succulents many of which were blooming or getting very close. The seeping rock fountain was an excellent touch to provide water to the birds and the bugs and even the flowers. The blooming white agave may be a closeup of the one in the corner of the larger group but again there were several in the area.

Cacti blooming Cacti blooming Cacti blooming

Many of the lower growing cacti were also blooming from this prickly pear to several barrel cacti to whatever the other one happens to be.

Dirt road Dirt road Wildflower field Wildflower field

Moving beyond the regular gardens is a maze of paths and roads leading through the arboretum plantings and into fields filled with wildflowers like these blue and white stalks I enjoyed.

Blooming flowers Blooming flowers Blooming flowers Blooming flowers

These delicate pink and white flowers seem to be all over the area both in fields and in large groups along the roads. As you can see on the trail above they have had plenty of rain to make all the wildflowers bloom.

Yellow flowers with bugs Dragon Fly Butterfly on flower

The rain also brings out the bugs and butterflies as well as the flowers.

Yellow flowers Blue flowers Purple flower Thistle flowers Yellow flowers Purple flower Orange flowers Blue flowers Butterfly
Red flower

I think I really did get a good sampling of the huge variety of wildflowers. Early in the spring I enjoy the back country trails even more than the more formal garden beds.