Take a Garden Tour Around Mission and McAllen, Texas

May 17th, 2016

Learn About Local Exotic Plants in the Relaxing Gardens Throughout Mission and McAllen, TX

The Rio Grande Valley is truly a tropical paradise with ideal weather for growing spectacular native and exotic plants.  You’ll find many residents share a passion for preserving the flora and fauna throughout the area with a number of lush gardens around Mission, TX homes for sale and McAllen area real estate. We’ve shared a few of our favorite gardens both old and new for a relaxing spring tour that might give you a little inspiration for your own garden.

Quinta Mazatlan – This beautiful historic estate is a local treasure, internationally known and serves as the McAllen wing of the World Birding Center.  The estate is surrounded by over 110 species of exotic native trees shrubs and plants.  The estate and gardens are located at 600 East Sunset, McAllen, TX.

McAllen Nature Center – The McAllen Nature Center is another park that offers native plant tours and programs where you can learn more about the area botanicals.   Featuring a 20 acre nature site dedicated to the enjoyment of the outdoors, the center was formerly known as the McAllen Botanical Gardens, and is host to a variety of plant and animal species. Admission is free and most programs are free as well. 4101 U.S. 83 Business, McAllen, TX 78501

NABA International Butterfly Park – The gardens at the National Butterfly Center are home to thousands of butterflies from hundreds of species and are the largest gardens in the United States that showcase regionally native plants in a formal garden arrangement. Visit these spectacular gardens to learn how to use plants native to south Texas and northern Mexico to attract butterflies to your home.  3333 Butterfly Park Drive, Mission, TX 78572

Explore Historic Homes and Gardens – You’re sure to find inspiration for your own garden as you take a drive along North 15^th Street in the De Palmas Historic District or around Rose Ellen Circle and discover a variety of beautiful homes with lush landscapes of native and tropical plants from Bougainvillea, Magnolia, Sago Palms, Jasmine, Mesquite, Acacia and more.

Hilltop Gardens

And if you feel like taking a little adventure to Lyford, Texas, 50 miles northeast of Mission, Texas, you can visit the Historical Home of Aloe at Hilltop Gardens, a tropical healing garden and farm that was first planted in 1939.  Exhibits include a sensory walk, a healing garden, a memorial aloe garden with one of the largest collections of aloe species in the U.S. and a children’s garden.  100 Lees Ln, Lyford, TX 78569

The Bentsen Palm community is committed to living in harmony with the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Using native plant landscaping throughout its communities, we also encourage residents to plant native species to both conserve water and protect the local habitat of our birds and butterflies.