San Antonio Botanical Garden Leads National Botanical Garden Initiative Exploring the Hidden Beauty of Math in Nature

San Antonio Botanical Garden has been selected to lead a national collaboration of six (6) botanical gardens for Math in Bloom, a new public-facing initiative that will illuminate the beauty of mathematics through nature, art, and cultural experiences.

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. Infinite Sums is an initiative of the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division, which seeks to broaden how people understand and experience mathematics as something inherently beautiful, creative, as well as meaningful.

Math in Bloom invites audiences of all backgrounds to explore how mathematical patterns, structures, and systems are embedded throughout the natural world, from spirals and symmetry to growth sequences and fractals. The initiative is designed to reveal math not as a set of rigid rules, but as an expressive and universal language that shapes how we see and understand our surroundings.

San Antonio Botanical Garden will help shape national programming alongside the full 2026 Math in Bloom garden network, which includes:

• San Antonio Botanical Garden (San Antonio, TX)
• Cheekwood Estate & Gardens (Nashville, TN)
• Denver Botanic Gardens (Denver, CO)
• Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix, AZ)
• Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Columbus, OH)
• Queens Botanical Garden (Flushing, NY)

Together, these institutions will activate Math in Bloom through community initiatives around three nationally-recognized dates:

• Pi Day (March 14): Perhaps the most famous digits in all of mathematics, Pi has long been an inspiration for artists, filmmakers, educators and more. And we’re leaning into it with events nationwide
• Infinity Day (August 8): The concept of infinity can be overwhelming to consider. Boundless opportunities. Endless possibilities. It’s also the namesake of this initiative!
• Fibonacci Day (November 23): The Fibonacci spiral is ubiquitous in the world around us. It inspires feelings of unity and interconnectedness. A perfect metaphor for this initiative.

“We’re honored to partner with the Simons Foundation on this national initiative and to help bring their vision for Infinite Sums to life through Math in Bloom,” said Katherine Trumble, CEO & President of the San Antonio Botanical Garden. “At San Antonio Botanical Garden, we believe learning should be immersive, accessible, and rooted in real-world discovery. This collaboration allows us to connect visitors with the beauty of mathematics through nature.”

Learn about the Math in Bloom national initiative at infinitesums.simonsfoundation.org

About the San Antonio Botanical Garden

The mission of the San Antonio Botanical Garden (SABG) is enriching lives through plants and nature. The San Antonio Botanical Garden features 39-acres of nature spaces located deep in the heart of San Antonio. Daily admission to the San Antonio Botanical Garden is $18-22 adults; $16-20 military; $13-15 children aged 3-13; $3 Museums for All (with SNAP or WIC EBT card and valid ID). The San Antonio Botanical Garden is located at 555 Funston Place at North New Braunfels. Limited free on-site parking is available. SABG is open year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. For more information, visit www.sabgtx.org or call 210.536.1400.

About the Simons Foundation

This work is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of its “Infinite Sums” initiative. For more information, visit infinitesums.simonsfoundation.org.

The Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division seeks to provide opportunities for people to forge a connection to science — whether for the first time or a lifetime. Through our initiatives, we work to inspire a feeling of awe and wonder, foster connections between people and science, and support environments that provide a sense of belonging. The Simons Foundation’s mission is to advance the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. Since its founding in 1994 by Jim and Marilyn Simons, the foundation has been a champion of basic science through grant funding, support for research, and public engagement. We believe in asking big questions and providing sustained support to researchers working to unravel the mysteries of the universe.