The South Texas Botanical Gardens are beside Oso Creek and were opened to the public in 1996. The garden specializes in subtropical plants, mesquite forest, hibiscus. The rose garden has 12 raised beds and was designed by the landscape architect Robert Gignac. The Plumeria Garden (Hawaiian lei flower) has over 100 plumerias. The Orchid House has over 2,000 orchids. There is also an Arid Garden, Water Garden and Sensory Garden.