Vibrante - The Member Magazine of the San Antonio Botanical Garden - '26 Summer

Growing Beyond the Garden Gates

In this issue of Vibrante, you’ll see evidence of something transformative: the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s mission of enriching lives through plants and nature is expanding past our 39 acres, taking root in the community, across Texas, and beyond.

The TREES initiative (Texas Recovery for Ecological and Environmental Stability) exemplifies this vision. In the aftermath of the devastating July 4, 2025, Hill Country flood, we asked: how can our Garden extend our mission to support our neighbors in Kerr County? The answer has been extraordinary. Powered by 373 volunteers who’ve contributed over 1,100 hours, generous donors, our dedicated Garden team, and partnerships with conservation organizations, Kerr Together, the City of Kerrville, regional businesses, and more, we’re planting more than 50,000 native trees along the Guadalupe River by 2028. I invite you to consider how you might be part of TREES, our largest outreach project to date. Thanks to a $1 million matching opportunity from the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, the impact of every donation given to TREES until April 15, 2027, is doubled.

Alongside Conservation, Access is a core pillar. The Garden for All initiative is our commitment to creating pathways that invite everyone through our gates and foster a sense of belonging. Our Nature Navigator Shuttle Access program removes transportation barriers and brings outdoor connection to underserved communities. DementiaFriendly Gardening sessions help friends find joy together through no-cost

horticultural therapy. School field trips and summer camps introduce young people to the wonder of plants.

As part of our many fall festivities, join us September 15 through November 2 to experience our newest tradition: Regina Moya’s artistry in Jardín de las Catrinas—a celebration of culture and memory, featuring tens of thousands of marigolds, living Catrinas sculptures, and refranes that bring wisdom to life during Día de Los Muertos

We are in a season of extraordinary growth. Our 10-year Master Plan is underway, with significant enhancements, including the opening of the Napier Orchid Pavilion and the Gretchen Northrup Tropical Conservatory in Spring 2027. In these pages, you’ll get a sneak peek at The Charline McCombs Pollinator Meadow Garden, opening in late 2028. This 2.5-acre garden in the heart of our 39 acres will be a stunning celebration of butterflies, bats, bees, and birds, showcasing our Texas Oaks and milkweed collections in a cultivated landscape with year-round interest and color. This one-of-a-kind, living classroom will represent the generations of people who keep SABG brimming with life.

The Garden was recently honored with the 2026 Grace and Harmon Dobson Legacy Award. We are so grateful to the Dobson Family Foundation for this meaningful recognition, which reflects our shared commitment to strengthening community through stewardship, education, and access to nature. Inspired by the Dobson family’s

legacy of generosity and service, we accept this award with sincere appreciation and dedication to helping San Antonio and Texas flourish.

The Garden you’ve loved and supported for years is entering a new chapter with greater inclusion and impact. This is possible because of you. Thank you for your contributions, memberships, volunteer hours, and belief in the mission.

See you in the Garden,

Katherine Tumble President & CEO

Our Mission Enriching lives through plants and nature On the cover Fall blooms from 2025’s Cempasúchil in Flight: A Living Monarch Mural Editor Cielo Strategy Group Designer

Contributors

Andrew

Jami

Membership

What’s Happening

* Free with Admission or Membership

$ Additional Fee with Program or Event

Create

naturally. Art Classes

Beginning Watercolor with Lulu

Second Saturdays, June – August 2026

1 – 3 p.m.

Join artist Jackie McKissack, “Lulu”, in a beginner’s course in the art of watercolor. Participants will receive a kit with a test sheet, a watercolor brush, paint samples, and presketched watercolor paper to work through in the class. Ages 13+. $

Macrame Plant Hangers

Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Knot your average 70’s macrame project! Learn the basic knots with instructor Andrea Cisneros to create your own personal plant hanger and add a small potted plant to finish it off. $

Sketching in the Garden

First and Third Thursdays

June – September, 2026 | 1 – 3 p.m.

Explore the Garden through drawing, with an emphasis on observing and drawing plant details such as flowers, leaves, and tree bark, while experimenting with techniques to depict light, shadow, and texture. Supplies provided, but participants are welcome to bring their favorite drawing tools. *

Family Workshop: Papermaking

Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Learn how to make handmade paper from recycled paper scraps. Different techniques and tools, such as stencils, will be used to manipulate the paper and make unique works of art. Ages 6+. $

Plant Your Winter Cut Flower Garden

Saturday, September 9, 2026 | 6 - 7 p.m.

Join florist and horticulturist, Layni Langham, to plan a productive cut flower garden. Learn how to prepare your garden for success, and select flower varieties that thrive in San Antonio’s climate. This class will cover flowers and foliage you can grow in your own backyard and use to create beautiful, seasonal floral arrangements. $

Adventure awaits.

Camp & Scouts

NEW! Scout Groups

Explore our selection of badge-focused programs designed to help Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, & Boy Scouts of all ages meet requirements while learning through handson activities in the Garden. Programs take place outdoors and last approximately 60–90 minutes. Available on weekday afternoons before Garden closing time and Saturday mornings, depending on availability, and must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.

Fee: $12 per Scout and adult participant; minimum of 10 Scouts.

Girl Scout Season Kickoff in the Garden

Tuesday, August 18 & 25, 2026 | 5 - 7 p.m.

Kick off the new Girl Scout year with an evening in the Garden. Troops will enjoy hands-on activities, explore the Garden together, and learn about badge programs available throughout the year. $

March – October

8 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Monday - Friday

8 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Saturday - Sunday

7 a.m - 8 a.m. | Members Only Hour Hours change seasonally.

Junior Cooking Camp: Fall Flavors

Monday – Wednesday

November 23-25, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Unleash your child’s inner chef and outdoor enthusiast at our Junior Cooking Camp at the Garden! This hands-on culinary experience is designed for fwood lovers between the ages of 8-12. Participants will make fall seasonal dishes inspired by what’s growing in our Garden. Campers will have designated time for nature and art-making in the afternoon. $

“Avocad-abra” Avocado 101

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 | 6 - 8 p.m.

To end the Otherwild-inspired series, come see what the culinary team is slicing and smashing in a vegetarian, avocado-centered class at the Sullivan Carriage House. $

Cool Down with Ceviche

Saturday, July 11, 2026 | 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

This hands-on cooking class at the Sullivan Carriage House features Pisco Sours and Latin American-inspired flavors. $

From

Ratatouille

with Love

Thursday, August 6, 2026 | 6 - 8 p.m.

Come make your own version of the classic French dish with ingredients from the Garden and enjoy it with roasted chicken, French bread, and a glass of wine. $

Uncorked at the Garden: Summer Somm Series

Wednesday, July 15 & August 26, 2026

6 - 8 p.m.

Sommelier Fabien Jacob presents “Sparkling Wines of the World” in July, and Hailey Pruitt, Sommelier and Wine Director at Michelinstarred restaurant Mixtli, will present favorite white wines in “It’s Too Dang Hot for Reds.” $

Fresh Cuts - Herbs in the Kitchen

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | 6 - 8 p.m.

Wondering what to do with all those herbs in your garden? Be inspired as the culinary team whips up infusions, marinades, and sauces using summer-time produce from the Garden. $

November 20 - January 10, 2026

Not Just a Pretty Flower: Cocktail Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, September 19, 2026

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

In conjunction with ¡Celebrando!, we are celebrating marigolds with a festive, delightful afternoon featuring the smoky depth of Mezcal. $

Oktoberfest in the OTK

Saturday, October 17, 2026

11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Feast on bratwurst, schnitzel, sauerkraut, and soft pretzels while sipping refreshing brews at the Outdoor Teaching Kitchen. Chefs Mark and Erik will lead live demos, sharing tips and techniques. $

Group Cooking Classes

Contact mweaver@sabgtx.org or eperales@sabgtx.org

Enjoy our one-acre Culinary Garden for a seasonal, hands-on culinary experience guided by our chef team. Perfect for team building, celebrations, or staff/client appreciation. Off-site programs are also available.

Family Days

Celebrate Infinity Day

Saturday, August 8, 2026 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Celebrate the endless cycles and processes that sustain life. From the nutrient and water cycles to pollination and propagation, guests can explore how plants depend on infinite renewal. *

¡Celebrando!

Saturday, September 19, 2026

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Explore Catrinas throughout the Garden during the new exhibition, Jardin de las Catrinas: De Catrinas a Refranes, and enjoy the connection between culture and nature, monarch migration, and autumn traditions. *

Celebrate Día de los Muertos

Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Enjoy fun activities inspired by this cultural holiday. Activities will include nature-based art, live music, and themed drop-in tours. * Play together.

BOOtanica

Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bring the family in costume and walk the trick-or-treat trail, explore nature-themed education stations, and enjoy concessions available for purchase. BOOtanica is one of the Garden’s family-friendly events, offering guests a chance to explore a botanical theme through hands-on stations led by educators. *

Celebrate Fibonacci Day

Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Garden will showcase Fibonacci, the world’s favorite sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8… From the spiral of a sunflower to the arrangement of leaves on a stem, Fibonacci numbers describe how plants grow efficiently and beautifully. *

Nature for everyone. Garden for All Programs

Nature

Navigator: Growing Community

The Garden’s Nature Navigator program helps remove barriers to entry by providing free shuttle transportation, admission, and programming for community groups across Bexar County and the surrounding areas.

Groups can choose one of our educational programs, including a self-guided garden visit, guided garden tour, planting, art, or cooking activity, or a class from our public program schedule.

Groups may either drive themselves or request a ride on our Nature Navigator shuttle, which includes a wheelchair lift and space for up to 24 passengers, including two wheelchair users. Pick-up and drop-off for groups are from one central location.

For more information contact Olivia Predmore, Community Access Coordinator, at opredmore@sabot.org

Dementia Friendly Gardening Workshop

Select Wednesdays, August 19 –December 9, 2026

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

A gardening class designed for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Come ready to get your hands dirty and learn from caring educators and volunteers. Please bring a water bottle and dress for the weather. *

Drop-in Guided Tours

Offered seasonally throughout the week. Tours range from water-saving gardening to exhibition tours. *

Discover

the garden. Garden & Conservation Classes

and Tours

Nature for Little Ones

March–November | 10 – 10:30 a.m.

Young explorers can discover the wonders of nature through weekly early childhood programs at the Garden. Designed for children ages 5 and under, these engaging experiences inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love of the outdoors. *

• Little Sprouts Hike (Tuesdays) – Nature walks with simple lessons that introduce young children to plants, wildlife, and the natural world.

• Nature Exploration in the Family

Adventure Garden (Wednesdays & Saturdays) – Hands-on nature play and sensory activities that encourage outdoor discovery.

• Storytime in the Garden (Thursdays) –Nature-themed stories shared outdoors to spark imagination and appreciation for nature.

House Plant Summer Series

Indoor houseplant workshops and patio gardening lectures will be offered throughout summer. Classes include houseplant propagation, creating in-home arrangements, and more. $

Thrill, Fill, Spill: Container Planting Design

Saturday, September 5, 2026 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Learn the “thrill, fill, spill” technique to create beautiful, eye-catching container gardens. Design a 10-gallon pot to take home with plants and materials provided. Recommended for adults. $

Family Workshop: Seed Bombs

Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Learn how to make different versions of seed bombs using clay and paper. Ages 6+. $

Family Night Hike

Friday, August 14, 2026

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Friday, September 18 and October 16, 2026

7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Explore the sights and sounds of nature after dark. Led by Garden educators, this adventure will introduce you to the nocturnal plants and animals that come alive at night. Listen for bats, search for spiders, and enjoy the garden’s peaceful atmosphere lit by moonlight. Don’t forget your flashlight, comfortable shoes, and a reusable water bottle. Ages 4+. $

Children’s Vegetable Garden

Saturdays, August 22 – December 12, 2026

8:30 – 10:30 a.m.

With the support of educators and volunteers, families tend to their own 3.5′ x 28′ plot and take home the harvest. Planting activities and nature-based lessons connect young growers to the power of plants, the joy of gardening, and the food on their plate. $

Healthy

Trees and Certified Arborist Prep Course

Fridays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 2026

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

This 32-hour course is designed to prepare professional arborists for the ISA Certification exam with a certificate for continuing education hours. Topics include tree biology and care, diseases, and worker safety. In partnership with the San Antonio Arborist Association and Alamo Forest Partnership. $

Family Workshop: Haunted House Terror-iums

Saturday, October 24, 2026

11a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Dive into the art of making beautiful, miniature plant worlds. Families will learn to build their own terrariums using plants and seasonal spooky elements. Participants will take home the terrarium creations they make during class. Themed containers, miniature Halloween decor items, and plants will be provided to each participant. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $

Group Activities at the Garden or Offsite

Contact tours@sabgtx.org

Offsite Presentations options cover general garden information or WaterSaver Gardening. Presentations last about one hour and are ideal for small or large audiences. *

Private Guided Tours are designed for groups looking to explore with a guide from a range of tours, from general garden to seasonal exhibitions. Tours last about one hour and are designed for groups with at least eight people. *

Private Succulent or Floral Arranging Workshops are perfect for groups of 10-20 guests on or offsite. Create a unique arrangement to take home with tips to keep it fresh after you leave. *

Inspired design. Ellie Selig DistinguishedGarden Design Lecture Series

Succession

Planting: Layered

Planting for a Long Season

Featuring Fergus Garrett, CEO of The Great Dixter Charitable Trust

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

6 p.m. wine reception, 6:30 p.m. lecture

Discover how to create gardens that bloom brilliantly from spring through autumn. Fergus Garrett shares the principles of extendedseason gardening through strategic layering: underplanting with bulbs, deploying selfsowers and temporary fillers, and using shape and foliage for year-round interest. The heart of the talk focuses on how bulbs and woodland plants transform perennial borders—from delicate snowdrops to stately alliums—creating seamless transitions in color across the seasons.

Even in climates like San Antonio, longseason gardening is easier to achieve than you might think. With hardy shrubs and strategic plantings, you can maintain visual interest and botanical intrigue from early spring through winter. *

About the speaker:

Fergus Garrett has been Head Gardener at the internationally acclaimed Great Dixter Garden in East Sussex, UK, since 1993, where he learned his craft from the legendary Christopher Lloyd. Now CEO of the Great Dixter Charitable Trust, Fergus is a highly decorated horticulturist whose honors include the 2019 Victoria Medal of Honour from the Royal Horticultural Society. He is dedicated to sharing his expertise in ornamental gardening and ecological practices through teaching, lectures, and projects that promote biodiversity worldwide.

The Ellie Selig Distinguished Garden Design Lecture Series aims to provide inspirational and informative ideas for garden-making from renowned garden designers, landscape architects, or garden makers.

Find your calm.

Wellness

Classes

Wellness classes at the Garden invite participants to slow down, move mindfully, and reconnect with nature. Programs such as yoga, meditation, sound baths, and run club offer peaceful experiences designed to support relaxation and well-being in a beautiful outdoor setting. *

Jardín de las Catrinas: De Catrinas a Refranes

From Catrinas to Proverbs

By Katie Erickson, VP of Learning & Interpretation

Andrew

Labay, Chief Mission Officer

Alexander Ramos, VP of Experience

What is a Catrina?

La Catrina is an iconic figure in Mexican culture—an elegant skeleton woman dressed in elaborate clothing and ornate hats, often adorned with flowers. Created by artist José Guadalupe Posada in the early 1900s and later popularized by muralist Diego Rivera, La Catrina has become a beloved symbol of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Far from representing fear or darkness, Catrinas celebrate the joy of life and the continuity of memory. They remind us that death is not an ending but a transformation— and that those we’ve loved remain present through stories, traditions, and the natural cycles that surround us.

In Mexican tradition, Catrinas are often depicted with marigolds (cempasúchil), whose vibrant colors and distinctive scent are believed to guide spirits home during Día de los Muertos celebrations.

At the Garden, these monumental living sculptures—some standing 16 feet tall and created from hundreds of plants—blend art, horticulture, and cultural tradition into something entirely new: a living celebration of memory, beauty, and the wisdom that plants and people carry forward together.

A Tradition Takes Root

What began modestly has grown into something extraordinary—a tradition that now draws visitors from across Texas and beyond. The Garden’s marigold celebration began in 2023 with 10,000 flowers—a vibrant tribute to Día de los Muertos and to the cultural significance of cempasúchil (marigolds) in Mexican tradition.

By 2024, the number of marigolds planted had grown to 15,000. By 2025, 25,000 flowers transformed the Garden into a living tribute—sweeping waves of orange, yellow, and deep red that seemed to glow in the autumn light.

Among 2025’s highlights was a massive living mural on the Concert Lawn, where thousands of marigolds and celosia formed the image of monarch butterflies drifting across the landscape—a visual merger of two powerful symbols of migration, transformation, and return.

That same year, Garden staff collaborated with San Antonio artist Regina Moya to create something never before attempted: a 16-foot living Catrina. Titled Nana Echeri

(Mother Earth in Purépecha), she featured traditional Oaxacan embroidery patterns and a skirt made from over 100 living plants— succulents, grasses, and flowering vines that changed with the season. Positioned at the Garden entrance, she became an instant icon—photographed thousands of times, beloved by visitors, and the inspiration for what has now grown into a full exhibition.

This year, the celebration becomes Jardín de las Catrinas—not just an installation, but an immersive journey through art, culture, memory, and the natural world.

A Journey Through the Garden

The exhibition unfolds across the Garden as a series of moments — each one distinct yet connected by the thread of culture and nature that runs through the season.

Your journey begins as you walk past the Mays Display Garden featuring skulls and marigolds. Pass through the Arco de las Hermanas Catrinas, which welcomes you into a world where art, nature, and tradition intertwine.

Arco de las Hermanas Catrinas

The Arch of Sister Catrinas

Here, elegant Catrina figures frame the gateway—each one unique, each one hinting at the stories waiting within. They’re not just decorative; they’re an invitation. A promise that what lies ahead will be beautiful, meaningful, and unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

Pass beneath the arch. The exhibition awaits.

Santuario en el Jardí Sanctuary in the Garden

Lucile Halsell Conservatory Decompression: In the circular space at the Conservatory’s entrance, a towering Catrina stands, surrounded by hundreds of paper monarch butterflies, preparing to roost—a moment frozen between movement and rest.

She embodies the oyamel fir (Abies religiosa)—the sacred tree at the heart of one of nature’s most extraordinary phenomena. Every year, millions of monarch butterflies migrate up to 3,000 miles to overwinter in the high-altitude oyamel forests of Michoacán, Mexico.

Their arrival—from November through March—coincides precisely with Día de los Muertos celebrations. Because of this, monarchs have long been seen as las almas de los difuntos—the souls of deceased ancestors returning to Earth. It’s a belief rooted in observation: just as families gather to remember loved ones, millions of butterflies appear as if summoned by memory itself.

The Marigold Mural

Concert Lawn: This year’s living mural expands on the success of 2025’s Cempasúchil in Flight: A Living Monarch Mural, which depicted butterflies in mid-migration. This year’s design celebrates the spiral patterns and bold geometric forms found in traditional Día de los Muertos art.

But this is more than visual spectacle. Each marigold here serves a purpose beyond beauty. In Día de los Muertos tradition, the vibrant color and distinctive scent of cempasúchil (marigolds) guide spirits home—creating paths of light and fragrance for loved ones to follow back to the world of the living.

Here, ancient symbolism meets contemporary art: thousands of individual flowers become a single, unified image, celebrating color, remembrance, and the belief that beauty and memory are inseparable.

Arboleda de Catrinas y Refranes Grove of Catrinas and Proverbs

Oasis Garden: The exhibition culminates in the Oasis Garden, where multiple Catrinas gather beneath the shade of mature trees—a grove of living sculptures, each one embodying a different refrán. Here, traditional wisdom takes physical form.

Each Catrina will be positioned in different movement patterns. Hundreds of living plants surround and make up the display, carefully selected to reflect the wisdom of its refrán. As the season progresses, the plants grow and change—a reminder that both wisdom and nature are living, evolving things.

Walk slowly through the grove. Read the sayings. Consider their meanings. Notice how the plants chosen for each Catrina embody the wisdom she represents. Some refranes will feel immediately familiar; others might puzzle you at first, then reveal their meaning gradually—the way the best wisdom often does.

About the Artist: Regina Moya

Regina Moya is a Mexican writer, illustrator, and public artist based in San Antonio whose work celebrates the vibrant intersection of culture, memory, and everyday magic.

The author and illustrator of several books–including the award-winning children’s book–The Last Butterfly (La Última Mariposa), co-authored with Carmen Tafolla and awarded by International Latino Awards–Moya’s artistic practice blends storytelling with bold visual art deeply rooted in her Mexican heritage.

“I can still hear the echo of my grandmother’s whispers — those wise Mexican refranes woven into my childhood. Now, as those words bloom through flowers and living plants, I watch their wisdom take root once more, blossoming softly in the souls of our children.”

Her paintings, murals, and sculptures explore themes of migration, transformation, cultural identity, and the beauty hidden in ordinary moments. Throughout San Antonio, her public artworks have become beloved landmarks: massive Catrina sculptures, Día de los Muertos installations, and murals that bring color and meaning to public spaces.

For Jardín de las Catrinas, Moya brings her distinctive vision to the Garden’s largest cultural exhibition to date. Her monumental living sculptures—some standing 16 feet tall and incorporating hundreds of plants—represent a new frontier in her work: art that grows, changes with the seasons, and lives in dialogue with the natural world.

“These Catrinas aren’t just celebrating Día de los Muertos,” Moya explains. “They’re celebrating the wisdom our ancestors gave us.”

Celebrate With Us

Jardín de las Catrinas: De Catrinas a Refranes

From Catrinas to Proverbs

Artist Regina Moya

Included with Garden admission and membership. Walk slowly through waves of marigolds. Read the refranes and consider their meanings.

A sweeping new exhibition celebrating Hispanic heritage, Día de los Muertos traditions, and the wisdom passed through generations—told through large-scale Catrinas, more than 25,000 marigolds, and the living language of plants.

September 15November 2, 2026

Special Programming: Hispanic Heritage Month and Día de los Muertos events, workshops, and celebrations will be announced at sabgtx.org.

Garden Hours:

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Members Only Hour: 7 – 8 a.m.

From Mine Site to Safety: Rescuing an Endangered Texas Cactus

By Michael Eason, VP of Conservation and Collections

In the summer of 2025, Jeremiah McKinney, an environmental consultant with Blackland Environmental, made an urgent call to the Garden: more than 1,000 endangered Black Lace Cacti (Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. albertii) were in the path of a lignite mine south of San Antonio. Could the Garden rescue them, hold them for one to two years, collect seed, propagate more plants, and ultimately help return them to a restored habitat? The answer was immediate— yes. What we didn’t know then was that 1,000 would become 3,485—and that this rescue would become one of the largest conservation efforts for this species in Texas.

After coordinating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the scope expanded quickly. What began as a 1,000-plant effort grew to more than 2,500, and space became an immediate concern. With ground cleared for a new tree yard at the Garden, there was capacity to house the cactus collection. By the end of the second rescue, the team had brought in 3,485 plants—with room for more if needed.

Meet the Black Lace Cactus: A Texas Treasure

The Black Lace Cactus is a subspecies of the widespread Lace Cactus, Echinocereus reichenbachii, which ranges from eastern Colorado south through Texas and into Mexico, occupying a variety of habitats. In contrast, the Black Lace Cactus has a much more limited distribution, occurring along the Coastal Bend of Texas and extending north toward San Antonio. It is federally listed as endangered and is most often found

in open areas of South Texas brushlands, typically on saline soils that limit competition from other plant species.

Like other forms of Lace Cactus, it produces large pink blooms and has fine, delicate spines. It is distinguished, however, by its deep purple-tipped spines, which give the plant its name. Individuals are often smaller than other subspecies, and some exhibit dark green stems that further accentuate their coloration.

Volunteers Come to the Rescue

The first rescue occurred in early December 2025, with more than twenty volunteers and staff participating. Volunteers from the Native Plant Rescue Project, led by Ashley Landry, carefully flagged and removed each plant from the site—working methodically to ensure every cactus was accounted for. Back at the Garden, the team counted, labeled, and prepared each plant for potting.

In January 2026, members of the San Antonio Cactus and Xerophyte Society arrived at the Garden on a cold morning to help with potting. A team of 13 volunteers potted 2,500 plants in just over two hours—a remarkable feat!

A second round of rescue and potting occurred in late February and early March. By then, clearing operations had begun at the mine site—volunteers could hear heavy equipment in the distance as they worked, a reminder of what was at stake. By the end, approximately 3,400 plants had been rescued and brought to safety.

Black Lace Cactus rescue by the numbers

3,485 plants rescued from mine site

Conservation & Mining

This effort would not have been possible without the support of San Miguel Electric Cooperative, which operates the mine. Although not required to undertake this level of conservation work, the company has demonstrated a forwardthinking commitment to stewardship by supporting both the rescue and the species’ long-term recovery.

10,000+

projected plants for eventual restoration

2 rescue operations

December 2025 February 2026

300 sq ft.

Garden enclosure now housing the collection

1-2 years

cacti will remain at the Garden before restoration

Jeremiah McKinney played a pivotal role in identifying the cactus population and in bringing partners together. Through required environmental assessments and a broader vision for land reclamation, he he recognized an opportunity not only to mitigate impacts but also to meaningfully contribute to conservation.

As mining progresses and ultimately concludes, the site will undergo a carefully planned reclamation process to restore soils, vegetation, and ecological function. The Black Lace Cactus will be integral to this recovery.

Recovery Process

While the rescue phase is critical, it is only the beginning. At the Garden, the rescued plants are now part of a broader conservation strategy addressing both short-term survival and long-term population recovery.

A key component of this effort is seed collection. In spring 2026, Garden staff returned to the site to collect seed from the remaining wild population and harvest seed from plants now in cultivation. These collections will serve two purposes: a portion will be stored in the Garden’s seed bank as a long-term safeguard, and the remainder will be used to propagate new plants.

Through this process, the Garden expects to produce thousands of additional individuals, significantly increasing the number of plants available for restoration. Current projections indicate that more than 10,000 Black Lace Cactus plants could ultimately be reintroduced once mining is complete and habitat restoration is underway.

Each day, Garden teams check on the plants—now securely housed in a 300-square-foot enclosure, with more than 3,400 individuals growing in communal trays. This is a daily reminder that without cooperation—and the willingness to undertake complex, largescale efforts—these plants might have been lost. This work is more than the rescue of a single species; it reflects the strength of partnerships and a shared commitment to conservation. It shows what’s possible when industry, nonprofits, consultants, volunteers, and botanical gardens work together with a shared vision. And it demonstrates the Garden’s role not just as a place to visit, but as an active conservation force protecting Texas’s rarest plants.

What makes it

“Black Lace”?

Unlike its more widespread cousin, the Lace Cactus, the Black Lace variety has:

• Deep purple-tipped spines (hence “black lace”)

• Smaller size

• Dark green stems

• Large pink blooms in spring

• Tolerance for saline soils

• Very limited range: Coastal Bend north to San Antonio

Status: Federally endangered

Math in Bloom Reveals Nature’s Patterns

By Hannah Packard, Chief Development Officer

This year, the San Antonio Botanical Garden launched Math in Bloom, a collaboration among six botanical gardens across the United States to create experiences that reveal the patterns, proportions, spirals, sequences, and cycles woven throughout the natural world. Math in Bloom is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of “Infinite Sums,” a national initiative that will, among other things, connect people to the mathematics inherent in nature.

Led by the San Antonio Botanical Garden, Math in Bloom includes Cheekwood Estate & Gardens, Denver Botanic Gardens, Desert Botanical Garden, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Queens Botanical Garden, and the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Working with mathematicians in their communities, each garden is creating experiences inspired by the Infinite Sums themes and adapted to its own landscape, collections, and audiences.

The series launched this spring at SABG and across the Math in Bloom network with a joyful celebration of Pi Day (3.14), exploring the significance of circles in nature. Guests discovered mathematical patterns hidden throughout the Garden with experiences that connected plants, measurement, creativity, and play, including a Garden-wide Pi scavenger hunt, tree-ring explorations, Pi-Ku poetry, and hands-on activities that connected mathematics to the natural world. Guests explored the relationship between sound waves and mathematical principles in the Lucile Halsell Conservatory and enjoyed “Slice of Pi(e)” in the Outdoor Teaching Kitchen. Mathematicians from Southwestern University, St. Mary’s University, and Trinity University led informal conversations and activities that revealed the mathematics hidden in plants, landscapes, and everyday experiences.

Up next is Infinity Day (8.8), when SABG will explore the endless cycles that sustain life on Earth. Throughout the Garden, specially designed landscapes inspired by infinity, fractals, repetition, and renewal will illustrate the patterns that sustain living systems. From nutrient

and water cycles to pollination and propagation, guests will discover how plants depend on continual renewal. Ancient cycads and ferns will highlight nature’s enduring patterns, while handson activities such as terrarium building, composting, and plant propagation will allow visitors to experience these cycles firsthand.

A special highlight of Infinity Day will be The Garden of Infinite Music, an immersive installation and live performance by renowned sound artist Aric Attas. By connecting sensors to living plants, Attas transforms subtle plant signals into

evolving musical compositions, creating a soundscape shaped by the Garden itself and revealing the hidden rhythms and patterns of living systems through sound.

Then, for Fibonacci Day (11.23), SABG will celebrate one of mathematics’ most beloved sequences: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8... The Fibonacci sequence appears throughout nature, from the spirals of sunflowers to the arrangement of leaves along a stem. Visitors will encounter landscape installations inspired by Fibonacci patterns and proportions, discover spirals hidden throughout the Garden,

enjoy Fibonacci-inspired cocktails, and even write a “Fib,” a short poetic form that follows the famous sequence. Together, these experiences will reveal how mathematics shapes both the beauty and efficiency of the natural world.

Math in Bloom encourages visitors to see the Garden—and the natural world—with fresh eyes. Through Infinite Sums and the support of the Simons Foundation, these experiences reveal that mathematics is not separate from nature, but one of the fundamental ways we can understand and appreciate its beauty.

Now Open Until August 8, 2026!

This large-scale immersive exhibit features the visionary work of artist Patrick Shearn and his studio, Poetic Kinetics, known for turning public spaces into areas of magic, movement, and awe.

Monarchs and More

Building Your Own Pollinator Garden

By Andrew Labay, Chief Mission Officer

The annual journey of monarch butterflies is one of nature’s most remarkable events—and one of its most threatened. Each spring, monarchs travel northward from Mexico, covering up to 3,000 miles and passing through Texas on their way to the northern United States and southern Canada.

Along the way, they follow the best environmental conditions and food sources. Because monarchs rely on milkweeds at every stage, from egg to caterpillar to butterfly, they seek out places where these plants are plentiful. This northward journey unfolds across multiple generations, with each butterfly living just 2-6 weeks and traveling only part of the route. It can take as many as three generations to complete the full migration north.

Then something extraordinary happens. In late summer, a special “super generation” emerges—butterflies that will live not weeks, but up to eight months. These remarkable monarchs

make the entire 3,000-mile journey south to overwinter in the same mountains of Central Mexico that previous generations left months earlier. Scientists still don’t fully understand how they navigate to places they’ve never been.

During the fall migration, which peaks in San Antonio from late September through October, monarchs need abundant nectar sources to fuel this epic journey. A single monarch can consume nectar from hundreds of flowers daily, converting it to reserves for the long flight ahead.

Why San Antonio Matters

San Antonio sits along the Central Flyway—one of the primary monarch migration corridors through Texas and perfectly positioned to support both the spring breeding migration (when monarchs need milkweed for egglaying) and the fall southward journey (when they need nectar for fuel).

A home garden may seem small, but to a migrating monarch, it’s a crucial

rest stop on a 3,000-mile journey. A pollinator garden can become a lively refuge for butterflies, bees, birds, and other essential pollinators. The key is to focus on native plants and include a diverse mix of species to help ensure that something is blooming throughout the seasons.

Every Garden Counts

Whether it’s a tiny patio or multiple acres, everyone is included in this conservation effort. The beauty of a pollinator garden is that it offers both purpose and delight—conservation that you can see, touch, and enjoy every day. It’s motion, color, and seasonal change, but it also comes with deep purpose. Plant milkweed for caterpillars, flowers for nectar, and keep something blooming for as long as possible. Add shelter, a bit of moisture, and the right plants, and gardens across our region can become a place where migration, metamorphosis, and everyday wonder unfold.

This fall, as countless monarchs pass through San Antonio on their way to Mexico, be ready to welcome them.

Fall Highlights:

Fuel for the Journey South

These plants bloom when monarchs need them most—September through November:

Autumn sage (Salvia greggii)

Frostweed (Verbesina virginica)

Mistflower (Conoclinium dissectum)

Goldenrods (Solidago spp.)

Fall aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)

Plant mistflower, goldenrod, and asters together for a fall monarch magnet.

Special Situations & Bonus Plants

For Shade Gardens:

Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii)

For Swallowtail Butterflies:

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

For Wet Areas:

Native grasses and sedges

Hummingbird Favorites (that also attract butterflies):

Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

Flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)

Spring Highlights:

Fuel for the Journey North Milkweeds (Essential for Breeding):

Antelope-horns milkweed (Asclepias asperula)

Green milkweed (Asclepias viridis)

Zizotes milkweed (Asclepias oenotheroides)

Nectar Plants:

Blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum)

Mealy blue sage (Salvia farinacea)

Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)

Pollinator Design Tips

Think in Layers: Create a diverse habitat by including groundcovers, perennials, shrubs, and small trees. This provides shelter, nesting sites, and food sources at different heights.

Plant in Drifts: Group 3-5 of the same plant together rather than scattering single plants. Pollinators find clusters more easily and spend less energy foraging.

Overlap Bloom Times: Aim for continuous bloom from March through November. When one plant finishes flowering, another should be starting. This ensures food throughout the season.

Include Host Plants + Nectar Plants: Remember, caterpillars need different plants than adult butterflies. Milkweeds for monarchs, parsley for swallowtails, native grasses for skippers.

Create Microclimates: Hot, sunny spots?

Plant autumn sage (Salvia greggii) and blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum). Morning sun, afternoon shade? Try Turk’s cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii) or Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii). Match plants to conditions for best success.

Add Water Features: A shallow birdbath with pebbles or stones, a small fountain, or even a damp sandy area provides essential drinking and “puddling” sites. Butterflies gather at damp spots to extract minerals.

Leave the Mess: Resist fall cleanup urges. Hollow stems house native bee larvae, leaf litter shelters chrysalises, and seedheads feed birds. “Messy” gardens support more life.

The First Trees

TREES Initiative Begins Restoring the Guadalupe River

By Michael Eason, VP of Conservation and Collections

This fall, the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s TREES Initiative (Texas Recovery for Ecological and Environmental Stability) reaches a defining milestone: the first large-scale planting along the Guadalupe River. After months of seed collection, propagation, and partnership-building, thousands of native trees will be planted—the first of tens of thousands to restore one of the Hill Country’s most iconic and ecologically vital landscapes.

The initiative was born in August 2025, out of urgency, after the July 4 flood, which caused widespread loss of native riparian canopy along the Guadalupe River. In many areas, nearly 90% of the tree canopy was lost, leaving riverbanks exposed, habitats fragmented, and critical ecological processes disrupted.

In response, the Garden launched a coordinated, community-driven effort to rebuild these systems, using native trees grown from seed collected across the watershed and sourced locally.

At its core is a simple principle: restoration should begin with the landscape itself.

Garden staff and community volunteers collect seeds by hand from populations throughout the watershed—bald cypress, sycamore, pecan, and a variety of native oaks—thereby preserving the region’s unique genetic diversity and ensuring that planted trees are adapted to local conditions. These seeds are then grown at the Garden and in partnership with local nurseries, creating a direct pathway from wild populations to restoration sites.

This Fall: From Seedlings to the River

Volunteers, staff, and partners will gather this fall along the Guadalupe River to plant the first group of trees grown specifically for this effort. The work begins well before planting day, with restoration sites carefully evaluated for hydrology, soil conditions, species suitability, and long-term survival.

Planting days will be both purposeful work and a community celebration. Volunteers and Garden staff will plant each tree with intention—positioned to maximize survival and support the riparian forest’s long-term structure.

Each tree is more than a planting; it’s infrastructure for the future. Mature bald cypress will provide cooling shade that moderates water temperatures, which is critical for fish and aquatic life in warming summers. Root systems will stabilize eroding banks and filter runoff before it reaches the water. Canopy cover will create corridors for migratory birds and provide habitat for species ranging from insects to mammals.

Equally important is what follows. Long-term monitoring, aftercare, and adaptive management will ensure these young trees establish successfully. Restoration is not a single event—it’s an ongoing relationship with the landscape, measured in decades, not seasons.

New Leadership for a Growing Mission

Recognizing the need for dedicated leadership, the Garden welcomed Matt Welch in late March as Director of Conservation and Collections.

Matt brings extensive experience in restoration ecology, horticulture, and native plant propagation—an essential combination for a project that bridges fieldwork and long-term ecological planning. His background in managing complex restoration efforts across diverse landscapes positions him well to guide the TREES Initiative into its next phase.

In his role, Matt will expand seed

collection efforts, coordinate with landowners and partners, and refine propagation and planting strategies to support long-term success. He will also help develop best practices that can serve as a model for riparian restoration throughout Texas.

His leadership reflects a broader vision for the Garden: integrating conservation, restoration, and horticulture into a unified, scalable approach to address current challenges and build capacity for the future.

Restoration Through Partnership

The generosity of donors and partners supports every stage of the work—from seed collection and propagation to planting and monitoring. Thank you for ensuring that trees grown for restoration remain accessible to the communities they are intended to serve, including landowners and municipalities working to restore their own stretches of river.

The Garden works closely with partners to ensure strategic, science-based restoration across the region.

The initiative also depends on the dedication of volunteers, whose contributions form the backbone of the program. From collecting and processing seed at the Garden to planting trees in the field, their efforts demonstrate the power of collective action. Thank you to the volunteers who have contributed countless hours to this mission.

Planting the Future

The first outplanting is only the beginning. Over the coming years, the TREES Initiative aims to plant tens of thousands of native trees along the Guadalupe River and beyond—each grown from locally sourced seed and rooted in the region’s ecological identity.

This work is an investment in the future—one that will pay dividends for generations. The shade of a mature cypress, the stability of a restored riverbank, and wildlife’s return to a thriving corridor will unfold over decades. But it begins right here, this fall, with careful planning, strong partnerships, and the simple act of planting a tree.

Thank You to TREES Donors and Partners

Donors

James Avery Forging Hope • William and Louree Greehey • Kate Marmion Charitable Foundation • The Carroll and Marguerite Wheeler Foundation • Lou Celia and Don Frost • John R. and Greli N. Less Charitable Trust • The Ewing Halsell Foundation • The Greehey Family Foundation • 130 Agency • John & Amy Bell Family Foundation • Trudy and Ed Moore • Security State Bank & Trust • Whataburger • Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited • Karen and Jim Greenwood • Barbara and Michael Gentry • Pamela Harte • Bartlett Tree Experts • Gary P. Nunn • Crider’s Rodeo & Dancehall • Hunt Preservation Society, Inc. • Capital Group-San Antonio • Bill Orr and Jana Orsinger • AVTS Event Production • Courtney Walker • Bluebonnet Custom Charters • John and Clarie Alexander • Jonathan Letz • Julie and Warren Wilkinson

The TREES initiative is supported in part by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country through the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.

Partners

Blanton’s Nursery • Bluejay Tree Farm • Casey Williams • City of Austin • City of Kerrville • Habitat Select Nursery • Hill Country Alliance • Hill Country Conservatory • Kerrville River Foundation • Kerr Country Water Alliance • Kerr Together • Manchaca Bees and Trees • Mosty Brothers Nursery • Native Plant Society of Texas • Patrick Kirwin • Rennerwood Tree Farm • Riverside Nature Center • Schreiner University • Texas A&M Forest Service • Texas Parks and Wildlife • TreeFolks • Upper Guadalupe River Authority

Learn more at sabgtx.org/trees

by the Numbers:

90%

Tree canopy lost in hardest-hit areas along the Guadalupe.

30,000

Native tree seeds being propagated.

25,000

Trees to be planted in 2026.

50,000

Trees to be planted by 2028.

373

Volunteers contributing to restoration.

1,121

Volunteer hours donated to date.

40+

River miles targeted for restoration.

20+

Partners with the Garden bringing this mission to life.

Get Involved:

Volunteer

Opportunities are available during the year, from seed collection and cleaning to tree nursery assistance, planting, and river monitoring.

Donate

Support seed collection, propagation, and long-term monitoring.

Spread the word

Share with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues this story of why riparian restoration matters.

Grant land access

Landowners who allow our trained teams to locate native seeds and evaluate future planting sites are key to restoration success.

POLLINATOR GARDEN & MEADOW

Inside The Charline McCombs Pollinator Meadow Garden

Designing a Garden for the Future

By Andrew Labay, Chief Mission Officer

Imagine walking into a sweeping 2.5acre meadow alive with the movement of monarchs and swallowtails, the hum of native bees, and the gentle sway of goldenrods and coneflowers catching the morning light. Imagine pathways that meander through native salvias and mistflowers, past shallow pools where dragonflies hover, into quiet alcoves made for stillness and wonder. This is what we are building — and we are so excited to invite you in.

A Garden Rooted in What We Know and Love

Before we look forward, we want to

pause and acknowledge what this new meadow garden will replace. The gardens that have served this community for generations will not simply be erased — their spirit will carry forward.

The Old-Fashioned Garden, in particular, has long functioned as a pollinator garden and certified Monarch Waystation — quietly pioneering the very ideas that will now define an entire 2.5 acres. We are committed to preserving the plants and stories that have made these gardens meaningful, whether roses, hibiscus, or the legacy of Mr. Moy, and will find new places and ways to honor them.

We also recognize that this core, historic area of the Garden needs to connect aesthetically with the newer areas. The landscape design guests encounter should flow seamlessly from one area to the next.

The Horticultural Vision: Cultivating with Purpose

At the core of The Charline McCombs Pollinator Meadow Garden is a bold horticultural direction: a shift toward native plants, ecological function, and planting that works with South Texas nature rather than against it. This is a garden that will be designed to inspire as much as it delights.

Native Plants at the Heart of the Design

The meadow garden’s plantings are chosen not only for beauty, but for their ecological relationships with the pollinators that depend on them. The design includes both nectar and pollen plants, supporting the full arc of pollinator life.

One of our most important horticultural commitments is to favor native, wildcollected plants over modern cultivars wherever possible. Many cultivars — however beautiful — have been bred in ways that reduce their value to pollinators, altering flower structure, color, or nectar production. By prioritizing wild-collected natives, we are choosing ecological integrity.

PLANT PALETTE

STEWARDSHIP PRACTICE

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Rather than defaulting to chemical intervention, IPM relies on ecological knowledge — understanding pest and beneficial insect cycles, using targeted treatments only when necessary, and allowing natural predator-prey relationships to do their work. In a pollinator garden, this approach isn’t just preferable; it’s essential.

The meadow garden will also embrace a more naturalistic approach to seasonal maintenance — and a celebration of the beauty found in every season. Spent flowers, seed heads, and leaf litter may linger as insect habitat; ornamental grasses and evergreen plants will provide structure through the winter landscape.

This is horticulture with humility — recognizing that the tidiest garden is not always the healthiest, and that beauty can be found both in the vivid color of a summer flower and in the flowing texture of an ornamental grass in winter.

“The tidiest garden is not always the healthiest — and beauty can be found in every season.”

Andrew Labay, Chief Mission Officer

A Living Classroom for Our Community

The Charline McCombs Pollinator Meadow Garden is designed to be a demonstration garden in the truest sense — a place where every decision is understandable and replicable. Visitors should be able to walk through, identify plants, understand why they were chosen, and leave with ideas they can carry home to their own gardens. In a region where water conservation and biodiversity are urgent priorities, that kind of practical inspiration matters enormously.

Water-Wise by Design

Lawn areas will be limited, replaced by drought-adapted native plantings. Shallow water features will provide drinking and bathing sources for pollinators and wildlife without requiring significant water. The message to visitors will be clear: a breathtaking garden and a responsible one are one and the same.

Designed by People Who Love This Garden

Design work is currently underway and is a true collaboration between Reed Hilderbrand as experts in gardens and native plant design, and the Garden staff with deep knowledge of this land’s conditions, history, and community. This partnership ensures the space is visionary and grounded. The process will run through summer 2027, followed by construction leading to a planned opening in late 2028.

Named in Honor of Charline McCombs

The Charline McCombs Pollinator Meadow Garden represents a defining moment in our continued growth. Made possible through the transformational leadership of the McCombs Foundation and the collective generosity of many dedicated supporters, this project reflects what can be achieved when a community invests boldly in its future.

For decades, SABG has connected people to nature, education, and

conservation. Today, donor support is helping elevate that mission to new heights – expanding what the Garden can offer visitors, strengthening our role as a regional leader in environmental stewardship, and creating inspiring new experiences for generations to come.

Charline McCombs’ legacy of generosity continues to shape San Antonio, and the Pollinator Meadow Garden will stand as both a tribute and a catalyst. It embodies a shared belief that beautiful outdoor spaces can enrich lives, spark curiosity, and create lasting connections between people and the natural world.

As Connie McCombs McNab reflected, “We are creating a place of beauty and wonder—where people, plants, and pollinators flourish, and future generations are inspired to grow.” That vision extends beyond the meadow garden itself. It represents an investment in the future of the Garden, conservation, and San Antonio.

Together, the McCombs Foundation and fellow donors are creating more than a new garden space. They are helping shape a lasting legacy—one that will inspire discovery, foster stewardship, and ensure our mission continues to flourish as one of the city’s most treasured cultural and environmental resources and destinations.

Project Timeline

Summer 2026

Design work is underway with Reed Hilderbrand and Garden staff.

Summer 2027

Design process concludes; construction phase begins.

Late 2028

The Charline McCombs Pollinator Meadow Garden is planned to open.

the cloud forest unveiled

Hosted by San Antonio Botanical Garden’s President & CEO Katherine Trum ble, with Event Co-Chairs Melody McMahon and Clair McMahon Jones

In the spirit of 1920s botanical exploration, step into an immersive evening inspired by field journals, orchid discoveries, and early expeditions that enlightened human understanding of plant science. In fascination of what came before, this special night celebrates the upcoming Napier Orchid Pavillion and strengthens the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s mission of enriching lives through plants and nature.

Visit sabgtx.org/splendor for table sponsorships or underwriting opportunities.

Coffee, Community, and Belonging

A Conversation with How Does Perros Found Its Home at the Garden

Membership Manager

If you’ve been to the Garden in the past few years, chances are you’ve met Lisa Torres—even if you didn’t know her

Maybe it was at Dog Days, where she learned your pup’s name and always had a “pup cup” ready. Maybe it was at an exhibition opening, where her mobile coffee setup became the gathering spot. Or maybe it was just a regular Tuesday morning when she appeared with her pop-up cart, making an ordinary visit special with a perfectly pulled espresso

For years, Dos Perros Coffee has been a beloved presence at Garden events—so beloved that in March 2026, something remarkable happened: the Garden’s first permanent coffee shop opened, exclusively featuring Dos Perros.

What started as a husband experimenting with a soup pot on a gas stove has become a brick-and-mortar café where coffee, nature, and community converge daily. We sat down with owner and operator Lisa Torres—longtime Garden member and now permanent Garden partner—to learn how Dos Perros went from home roaster to Garden staple.

From Soup Pot to Coffee Shop

Jami: Take us back to the beginning. How

Lisa: My sweet husband, Norman, wanted me to have the best, freshest coffee possible—so he decided to roast it himself. He literally started on our gas stove with an old soup pot. Eventually, we graduated to a small home roaster, then a larger one. By that point, we thought, “Why not teach our kids about entrepreneurship?” We wanted them to see how you build something from scratch—the work it takes, the relationships. Dos Perros Coffee, as a business, began in 2018.

The name came from our two rescue dogs—Jasmin the Bluenose Pitty and May the Pug, aka “The Sweet Potato Pug”. They were part of the journey from the start, always in the kitchen while we were roasting. When we started vending at dog-related events, having “Dos Perros” as our name just made sense.

Jami: How did you end up at the Garden?

Lisa: The Garden was hosting a dog days event several years ago and needed vendors. We’d been donating to local dog shelters and rescues for years—

it’s part of our mission to give back to the community that supports rescue dogs—so when we saw they needed a coffee vendor for a dog event, it felt like perfect alignment. At that first event, we immediately fell in love with the space and the people. The staff was incredible. Every time my phone rang, and it was the Garden inviting us back for other celebration events, I felt honored.

Jami: Dog Days became something special for you, didn’t it?

Lisa: Oh my gosh, yes. We were there almost every day with our pop-up. After the first few days, we began learning names—not just people’s names, but their dogs’ names too. We’d see regulars coming across the lawn, and we’d already be making their usual order. Their dogs would get excited when they spotted our pop-up because they knew “pup cups” were coming. That’s when it hit me: we weren’t just selling coffee. We were creating moments. We were part of the guests’ Garden experience.

A Member Becomes a Partner

Jami: You’re also a longtime Garden member. What does that dual role mean to you?

Lisa: Being a member of the Garden has always meant belonging to something larger than myself—a community dedicated to conservation, beauty, and connection to nature. I’ve brought my kids here to learn, celebrated special occasions, and found peace.

Now, as both a member and a partner with our café, I get to contribute to that mission in a new way. Every morning, I’m not just serving coffee—I’m helping create the experience that made me fall in love with this place. I’m welcoming other members, making visitors feel at home, and supporting the Garden’s mission through our partnership.

Jami: What’s a typical morning like for you at the Coffee Shop?

“Being a member of the Garden has always meant belonging to something larger than myself—a community dedicated to conservation, beauty, and connection to nature.”

Lisa Torres, owner of Dos Perros Coffee, now open at the Garden

Lisa: We arrive around 5:30 or 5:45 a.m. when it’s still dark. The Garden is quiet, sacred in the early hours. A raccoon crosses the porch at 5:45 like clockwork. The birds start singing. We get the coffee brewing, set up the pastries, and then the first members arrive for a morning walk—many of them now stop by for their usual order before hitting the trails.

Coffee, Community, and Belonging

Jami: What does it mean to you personally to have a permanent space here?

Lisa: Every morning, I arrive to birdsong and nature framed in our café windows. I serve coffee to people who are about to experience something beautiful. I watch kids get excited about the Garden. I meet people from around the world. When a guest walks through our door and says, “We’re so happy you’re here,” my heart

Better latte than never!

Start your next Garden visit off the right way. Hours

Monday - Friday

7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Weekends

7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Enjoy indoor and porch seating with views of the Mays Family Display Garden and the Zachry Foundation Culinary Garden

fills up. Our little coffee company—that started with a soup pot in our kitchen and two rescue dogs we loved—now has a home in one of San Antonio’s most treasured spaces.

Jami: What’s your vision for the future?

Lisa: We want to continue creating a space that’s genuinely welcoming to everyone. We want to grow alongside the Garden as the master plan unfolds and this place becomes all it’s meant to be. But fundamentally, we want to stay true to what brought us here: connection. Connection to good coffee, to nature, to community, to each other. We’re trying to be the coffee shop that feels like home—where you’re greeted by name, where your usual order is remembered, where a simple cup of coffee becomes part of a larger experience of beauty and belonging. If we can make people feel welcomed, seen, and connected— then we’ve succeeded.

In Appreciation

$500,000+

Beverly Bryars†

City of San Antonio

Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country through the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund H-E-B

Dobson Family Foundation

Dacia and Lanham Napier

Susan Naylor

The Ewing Halsell Foundation

The McCombs Foundation

$100,000-$499,999

Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992

Elma Dill Russell Spencer Foundation

Louree and William Greehey

James Avery Simons Foundation

The Carroll and Marguerite Wheeler Foundation

The Greehey Family Foundation

$50,000-$99,999

Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation

Daniel J. Sullivan Family Charitable Foundation

Lou Celia and Don Frost

International Motors

John R. and Greli N. Less Charitable Trust

Elizabeth and Robert Lende

Mays Family Foundation

Melody P. McMahon

William Scanlan, Jr.

The Amini Family Foundation

Bonnie and Stephan Tompsett

Valero Whataburger

$25,000-$49,999

Candace Andrews and Uwe Pontius

Carla and John Brozovich

Capital Group-San Antonio

Dickson-Allen Foundation

Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation

John & Amy Bell Family Foundation

Louis H. and Mary Patricia Stumberg Foundation

Trudy and Ed Moore

Nancy Moorman

Joannah and Christopher Pickett

Angela and Earl Rabke

Security State Bank and Trust

The Brown Foundation, Inc.

The Louis Herbert Stumberg Jr Fund

$10,000-$24,999

Anonymous Anonymous

80|20 Foundation

Alamo Colleges District

Claire and John Alexander Bank of America

Tisha and B. Kyle Beck

Bexar County Master Gardeners

Elise and Craig Boyan

Cavender Auto Family

Cheever and Dennis Quinn Circle Bar Foundation

Courtney Collins and Barrett Tuttle

Anita and John Comander

E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation

Gayle and Walter Embrey

Frost Bank

Barbara and Michael Gentry

Karen and Jim Greenwood

Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited

Hall† and Pat Hammond

Pamela Ann Harte

H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust

Lisa Huey

James A. “Buddy” Davidson Charitable Foundation

Joan and Herb Kelleher Charitable Foundation

Estee and Luke Kellogg

Klesse Foundation

Barbara C. Kyse

Susan and Steve Lewis

Carolina and AJ Lewis

Marcia and Otto Koehler Foundation

Martha Mares Lebo Children’s Education Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation

Madelline Mathis

Judy N. Morton

Rebecca and Scott Nathan

Lisa and Mitch Nichols

Barbara and Thomas O’Connor

Marguerite and Michael Ogata

Corinna and JB Richter

Anne and Jeff Rochelle

Heather Sargent

Laurie and William Scanlan III

Sallie and Jonathon Schneider

Judith and Alan Schwettman

Scott Petty Family Foundation

Sewell Automotive Companies

Shield-Ayres Foundation

Kay and Dennis Stein

Megan and Sam Steves

Paula and Herb Stumberg

Sandra and Scott Teeter

The Harvey E. Najim Charitable Foundation

The John and Florence Newman Foundation

The Lisa and Mike Kelleher Fund

The Luta Sempre Charitable Fund

The Pat and Tom Frost Charitable Foundation

The Suzanne Allford Wade Foundation

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc.

V.H. McNutt Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Claire and George Vaughan

Suzanne and Dick Wade

Stephanie and Christopher Wilde

Julie and Warren Wilkinson

William Knox Holt Foundation

John F. Wombwell

Jenny and Will Wood

$5,000-$9,999

Caroline Alexander

Amazon SAT

Molly and Michael Amini

Ann and Forrest Word Family Foundation

Leslie and Adam Ausburn

Margie and Morton Baird Bartlett Tree Experts

John and Shelley Bass

Blackcomb and Traverse Pipeline

LLC

Carla and John Brozovich

Kenneth Busch

Caroline and William Carrington

Cielo Strategy Group

City of San Antonio Department of Parks and Recreation

Dixie Starnes Wenger Foundation

Environmental Fund of Texas

Faye L. and William L. Cowden Charitable Foundation

Kelly and Carl Fellbaum

Lisa Furrh

Jana and Jeff Galt

Carrie Gray and Christopher Lefelhocz

Gunn Family Foundation

Hixon Properties Incorporated

Andrea and Frank Holmes

Hunt Preservation Society, Inc.

Jefferson Bank

Joeris General Contractors

Brian T. Kelleher

Kelly Wade Jewelers

KGF Law

Jamie and Wes Kimball

Brenda and Eric King

King Family Foundation

Jessica and Claude Koontz

Cally and Will Kothmann

KSL Family Foundation

Mary Kunz

Yvonne La Vaude

Denise Landon

Elizabeth and Hunter LyonsHouston

Jill McGowin and Jack Everhart

Carol and John McGuire

Vicki L. McLaughlin

Donations made January 2025 – April 2026

Claire and Easton McNab

Military-Civilian Charitable Foundation

Cynthia and Forrest Miller

Mission Restaurant Supply

Janet Montagne

Moontower Entertainment

Meredith K. Morrill

Susanna Morrow and Ross Olsaver

Barbara and Jeffrey Moss

Linde and Dean Murphy

Nelson Puett Foundation

Noisy Trumpet Communications

Jana Orsinger and William T. Orr III

Londi Paige

Patricia and Henrik Palme

Catherine and Ben Payer

Petty Hefte Family Foundation

Dennis Quinn and Joan Cheever

Angela and Earl Rabke

Julianne and David Reeves

Marianne Rhea Hileman

Rialto Studio, Inc.

San Antonio Water System

Jenny and Rick Schimpff

Serrano Wine LLC

Sunbelt Waterproofing and Restoration LLC

SWBC PEO

Sandra and Scott Teeter

The Meredith and Mike Howard Family Fund

The National Society Ladies of the Thistle

The Smothers Foundation

The Steves Foundation

The Tim and Karen Hixon Foundation

Shelley and Tom Thill

Rajia Tobia

Susan and Larry Todd

Dina and Jeff Tom

Bonnie and Stephan Tompsett

Kimberly and Matthew Traxinger

Trudy and Ed Moore Charitable Fund

Lisa Uhl

Ulrich Investment Consultants

Elky and Mark Van Es

Catharine and Jeff Vexler

Bette and Jack Vexler

Lorien and Marc Whyte

Mary Wieser

Joan and W. Reed Williams

Juliet and Peter Zacher

$1,000-$4,999

1900 Wealth Management

Lisa Abbt

Lynn and Omar Akhil

Alamo Area Beekeepers Association (ABBA)

Alamo Heights-Terrell Hills Garden Club

Helen Alexander

Deborah and Rex Amini

Amy Shelton McNutt Charitable Trust

Kennedy Hatfield Asel and Aaron Asel

Mary

San Antonio Area Foundation

Lori and Garrett Karam

Sarah Elaine Kearney and Ryan Yaden

Sally and William Keedy

Susan and John Kerr

Richard Ketola and Martha Castrejana

Jamie and Wes Kimball

Leigh Ann and Greg King

Margaret and Bill Klesse

Bonnie and John Korbell

Karen and Kerry Krause

Camilla Labatt and Marlon Araya

Susan and William Lane

Catherine and Richard Lange

Anne-Marie Langevin

Thomas Leopold

Jonathan Letz

Annie and Spencer Lewis

Kimberly Lewis

Luther King Capital Management

Lyfe Marketplace LLC

Tina and Bill Lyons

Kathy and Mike MacNaughton

Nancy and Bill Maloy

Susan Martin

Susan and Roy Martino

Amelita and David Mauze

Marie and Ryan Mays

Patricia and Mark Mays

Laura and Don McDonald

Celeste and William McEntire

Melinda McFarland-Hartson and Reid Hartson

Jane and Joe McFarlane

Lauren and Peter McLaughlin

Connie and Sandy McNab

Meighan McNulty and Charles Coggins

Shelly McTee

Michelle Menchaca

C. Fred Meyer

Holly and Philip Miller

Rachel and Daniel Miller

Susan Moczygemba-McKinsey

Ana Leah and Sergio Montemayor

Ana Montoya

Trudy and Ed Moore

Laura and Lewis Moorman

Raymond Morrow

Bonnie and Mark Muecke

Sydney and Gregg Muenster

Native Plant Society of Texas- New Braunfels Chapter

Tiffany and Billy Nelson

James Noonan

Elaine Olivier

Harriet and David Oppenheimer

Elena and Luis Oseguera

Nancy Ruth Roberta Palmer

Suzanne and Rusty Palmer

Margaret and Ryan Pape Rose Parham

Camilla Parker

Heather Parkhurst

Laura and Atlee Parr Anne and Charles Parrish Kirti and Mahendra Patel

Carolyn and Allan Paterson

Kris and Bruce Petersen

Emilie and Christopher Petty Eleanor and Scott Petty Alice and Pete Pfeiffer Phyllis Browning Company Mary Quandt

Rabinowitz†

Bellur Ramanath

Jane and Brooke Rames

Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union

Rikli Family Foundation

Candy and Brian Roach

Rochelle and Manuel Rodriguez

Deborah and David Rogers

Harriet and Ricardo Romo

Lisa and Jeff Rosenbloom

Heather and Rollins Rubsamen

Elva Ruiz

Lewis Russell Jr. and Jan

Jarboe Russell

S M Hixon Family Foundation

San Antonio Audubon Society, Inc.

Sapele and Hide

Schultz & Co Landscapes, LLC

Kathy Scruggs

Lyn and Peter Selig

Alyse and Webb Sellers

Sendero Wealth Management

Meagan and Adam Shadfan

Tylden Shaeffer and Stephanie Bowen

Allen Sikes and Coral Diaz

Cindy Simpkins

Whitney Solcher and Joe Miller

Deb Sovereign

Valerie Sponsel

Johnise and Scott Stamper

Starbucks Foundation, Neighborhood Grants Fund Steves & Sons

Kathy and Mac Stringfellow

Paula and Herb Stumberg

Cynthia and Larry Swann

Lauren Tarbox

Donald Test

The Arch and Stella Rowan Foundation, Inc.

The Easton and Claire McNab Foundation

The Ruth and Edward Austin Foundation

The Vaughan Foundation

Ryan Theuninck and Weston Miller

Thomas Charitable Fund

CeCe and Will Thompson

Carolyn and Mark Thornton

Patricia and Patrick Tobin

Alisa Travis

Kimberly and Matthew Traxinger

Alice and John Troy

Katherine and Kristopher Trumble

Melissa Turner

Lorrie and Arthur Uhl UT San Antonio

Amanda and Ryan Utter

Jordan Vexler

Catharine and Jeff Vexler

Cameron Vieyra Suzanne and Dick Wade

Dawn and Bruce Walker

Franze and Chuck Wall

Robin and Jason Warman

Kelsey and Bryan Waters

Ann B. Watson

Roberta Churchin and Bob Webster

Ellen and Don Weinacht

Amanda Whalen

Heidi and Mac White

Whole Foods Market

Susan Wilkins-Geery

Barbara and George Williams

Patrick Williamson

Bartholomew Wilson

Melinda Winn

Lisa and Thomas Woolley

Jessica and Robert Clinton Worth

Leigh Young

Mollie Zachry

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