November 20, 2024
Every fall, Fortlandia brings new forts to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for kids (and adults) to play with. This year’s fortress includes a butterfly plane, a snake climbing structure, a human-sized ant farm, and a monster in a treasure chest. I checked it out during a twilight visit in early November.
fort flutter
Fort Flutter Designers: American Lore Theater, Jacob Rosenberg, Liza Fishbourne
“Fort Flutter is a whimsical salute to Texas’ flying heroes: the butterflies and pollinators that bring life to this land, and the fearless postal pilots who once flew our skies. Wild. Inspired by the winged inhabitants of the Flower Center and the daring flights of early Texas aviators, this fortress features delicate yet bold wings that carry messages of hope and love across a vast wild landscape. It invites you to travel back in time. A tribute to history and play, combined with natural beauty and a spirit of adventure, Fort Flutter is a thrilling stop on a wild journey.”
Fort Flutter’s airplane wings catch the light like a butterfly.
The control panel shows a map showing the route of pollen.
Fort Flutter pollen delivery available in area code 512
A caterpillar with a parachute grabs a box of pollen and prepares to jump.
Pollen is handed out.
Flower stamps remind us that the flowers we cherish depend on insects for pollination.
mimic
Mimic Designer: Victoria Marquez and Cody Thompson
“What’s inside this giant treasure chest?” Only those brave enough to participate can find out! This fortress is decorated with paintings of native Texas wildflowers, Even when viewed from above, it reminds one of an abandoned building that has been swallowed up by nature. And what’s inside this mysterious and fantastical structure? If you’re curious, be sure to take a peek at the exposed teeth and ask a friend to take a photo to commemorate your bravery. Let’s. ”
I didn’t go inside to find the painting, but the monster design did put a smile on my face.
honeycomb hideout
Honeycomb Hideout Designer: STG Design
“This fort is the talk of the town! The stepped hexagonal platform mimics a beehive and offers a variety of ways to play. Climb the structure, crawl through tunnels, become like a bee, They move back and forth between the hive and the spiral flowers that surround it.Maybe they just sit on the hive. Maybe you just want to admire the beauty of nature. Who can blame you? The small platform is the perfect size to take on a second life as a chair or table, and some of them are perfect for this year’s Fortran. Some of them can be reused like that once the Deer exhibition is over.”
The Honeycomb Hideout is actually three forts in one, as colorful “flowers” (spiral perforated panels) are placed around the main fort.
This fort, with its stepped climbing structure and hideout below, was a hit with both children and adults.
Shell Yes!
Shell Yes! Designer: Chioco Design and Austin Custom CNC
“There are approximately 230 species of snails in Texas, including an estimated 56 The species lives here in Travis County. If you go outside after a heavy rain, you might find a bunch of these adorable gastropods on your front lawn. Snails may be slow-moving, but they’re hard workers. By eating decaying matter, they help recycle and disperse nutrients into the soil. Their beautiful swirling shells are the inspiration behind this fort, offering visitors some leisurely play time. I encourage you to make it.”
Perhaps inspired by the 2021 film Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Shell Yeah! It’s a lovely fort.
fortress building area
Children can build their own forts in the wooded space using branches, rocks, stumps, and other natural materials.
ant farm
Ant Farm Designer: Chris Honea
“Ants get a bad rap, but they’re an important part of a healthy ecosystem. These insects are not only delicious snacks for larger creatures like horned frogs and armadillos, but they also feed on all kinds of organic waste. They also help keep the environment clean. Plus, they’re great at teamwork. We all wear six shoes. You can learn a lot by walking a mile. This human-sized ant farm, partially inspired by the movie Honey, I Made My Children Small, is a young explorer. Invite the Houses to do just that. Activate your imaginary antennae, fumble your way through the tunnels, and discover what life is like as a tiny insect. ”
The ant farm’s clever design delighted one young girl who ran down the ramp like a busy ant.
pyrostructure
Pyrostructure designers: William Bonner and Kennedy Rauh
“Lightning and human-induced wildfires can be devastating to rural and urban areas, but they are essential to the health of grassland and savannah landscapes.Wildflower Center Land Management Prescribed fires, such as those started by humans, pose a risk. Pyrostructures celebrates fire and the growth and rebirth that follows it. The fortress transforms from a vibrant prairie to a scorched landscape through a series of colorful modules. We invite you to experience the journey back again.”
This celebration of the Fort’s fire and its regenerative powers has to be the most unique theme I’ve seen in Fortlandia.
harmony habitat
Harmony Habitat Designer: Okkem Design
“From dark underground burrows to airy aerial nests, ‘Harmony Habitat’ encourages children to explore a variety of animal habitats and offers multiple ways to participate in this structure. .2 interconnected subdivided icosahedrons (three-dimensional shapes made up of many planes). The two halves come together in a common pentagonal plane to teach visitors about harmonic geometry and three-dimensional shapes as they use their imaginations to crawl, climb, and perch alongside the creatures that call Central Texas home. please.”
Beautiful etchings of locally found flora and fauna…
…Not all of them are native species, like the northern parakeet. It does not decorate the exterior of the building. I didn’t dive inside to see the rest, but the hanging nest in the center looked like fun.
fortfang
Fort Fang Designer: Ion Art
“Inspired by snakes crawling through wildflower fields in central Texas, Fort Fang embodies both the mysteries of nature and essential beauty. Its modular, winding structure allows for multiple entrances and It provides an outlet and almost endless possibilities for imaginative play. With organic shapes and colors that mimic a spring garden, this secret hideaway looks like a natural extension of the landscape. It is designed to.
Fort Fang has a spectacular appearance with its rugged climbing structure and tunnel-like hideout below.
All are great fun, but visitors can access the poll using the QR code on the fort sign and vote for their favorite. My money is on Fort Flutter for cuteness and Pyrostructure for creative themes. Which one would you choose?
Fortlandia will be on display in the Family Garden at the Wildflower Center until February 2, 2025. To see the rest of the gardens at the Wildflower Center, click here to read my blog post.
We look forward to your comments. If you want to keep one, scroll to the end of this post. If you’re reading by email, click here to go to Digging and find the comment box at the end of each post. By the way, someone forwarded this email to you and would you like to subscribe? Click here to get Digging delivered straight to your inbox.
__________________________
dig deeper
Learn about gardening and design with Garden Spark! Several times a year, I host in-person lectures in Austin by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners. These are attendee-only events that sell out quickly, so join Garden Spark’s email list to be notified in advance. Just click this link and request to be added. Check out the Season 8 lineup here.
All materials © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. All rights reserved.
