A Bluebonnet Spring!

By David W. Crump

Introduction

After the cold and dreary days of winter, the Bluebonnets are here! Starting in mid-March, the wildflowers begin appearing heralded by these blue and white carpets on the roadsides. Soon to follow are Indian Paintbrushes, Mealy Blue Sage, Indian Blanket, Black-eyed Susan, Mexican Hat and more. Central Texas puts on an awe-inspiring display of spring flowers.

Don’t worry about trying to find wildflowers, just take a drive and you can’t miss them. Our Texas Highway Department actually encourages and seeds wildflowers on the roadsides. Mowing along our roads is also delayed to be sure that the wildflowers bloom and re-seed every year. The Texas Highway Department even has a wildflower hotline at (800) 452-9292.

This year is expected to be a very strong spring bloom because of the wet fall and winter. To help appreciate our native flower displays, here is a guide to some of the most popular and prominent flowers to be seen around Austin.

First Flush of Color: Mid-March

You will know Spring is here when the first Bluebonnets appear.

Bluebonnets - Blooms from mid-March to May in the Austin area. A member of the legume (bean) plant family, it prospers on well drained roadsides and fields. The Bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas. The Bluebonnet blossoms are on a spike with dark blue petals and a white tip.

Indian Paintbrush - The intense scarlet to orange flowers that often nestle with the Bluebonnets are the Indian Paintbrushes. They start emerging just after the Bluebonnets and continue blooming until May. They are a member of the snapdragon plant family. 

April – Primetime for Wildflowers

April is the peak month of wildflower color with the early flowers still blooming and many additional wildflower plants adding their blooms. This is the time to plan scenic drives in the rural areas around Austin to see the fields of wildflowers.

Engelmann’s Daisy – This flower is a yellow, eight pedaled daisy on a long spike. These flowers often are found in clumps along the roadside and neighboring meadows.

Mealy Blue Sage - A member of the mint family, it particularly is found in the limestone soils in the western fringe of Austin. The blossom is a stem of violet blue petals.

Indian Blanket - The Indian Blanket or Firewheel adds both yellow and red with its pinwheel of bright pedals.

Black-Eyed Susan – A member of the Sunflower family, it’s blooms arrive with the warming temperatures of April. These blooms are strong yellow petals surrounding a dark center.

May Flowers

Spring is passing quickly into the heat of summer, but Central Texas still is a colorful place with many new flowers. Here are some of the new additions:

Drummond Phlox – These flowers have red to pink blooms in a cluster of erect stems.

Mexican Hat - The bloom has a pronounced cone with a fringe of drooping yellow and red petals.

Moss Verbena – This flower is a brilliant cluster of small purple blooms.

Showy Primrose – This flower is a large cupped, four pedaled pink flower with a white interior and yellow center.

Additional Resources

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - http://www.wildflower.org/

Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Research Center located in Southwest Austin is the only facility in the nation devoted to the study of native plants and flowers.  The center was founded in 1982 by Lady Bird Johnson as part of her national beautification initiative.

Texas Department of Transportation - http://www.txdot.gov/public_involvement/wildflowers/default.htm

Summary

Don’t miss Central Texas in the Spring. Our wildflowers provide amazing “eye candy” to enjoy!