advice about bluebonnets

[irisblue]

I've seen photographs of Texas bluebonnets covering fields, then the season moves into Indian paintbrush season. I'd like to see them in person; any advice about timing and locations will be gratefully received.

[TexasProgresive]

1. With the cold winter we've been having maybe as late as April.

My gardening friend says hers have not thought about extending. Bluebonnets are a biennial and in the 2nd year winter over as a flat rosette from which extend the flower shoots when ready.

I am near Bryan Texas which is south central Texas. We are having some flags (old white irises)bloom and paper whites. Jonquils and Louisiana Irises (that would be your favorite) are more prudently waiting.


A beeuutiful bluuuue Louisiana Iris.

This is how I would like to see Texas- a sea of blue with a rare scattering of red.

[DhhD]

3. And the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is excellent too.

http://www.wildflower.org/

[DhhD]

2. Information of Texas Events and Trails for the Wildflowers:

http://www.lakesandhills.com/bluebonnettrail.htm

Hope you have a nice visit.

[northoftheborder]

4. Last year, hardly any bluebonnets, because of lack of winter rain.

I hope we've had enough this year; in a good year the bluebonnets are stunning. That map shows only the roads connecting to Burnet, but east central Texas, and west of Llano and Fredericksburg including Mason and Brady are great, IF it is a good year in general.

Another source of bluebonnet info: Texas Parks and Recreation. You used to be able to call a number for updates of blooms of all kinds of wildflowers, now probably online links.

[PDittie]

5. Here:

http://www.texasbluebonnetsightings.com/2014-texas-bluebonnet-season/

(Note that they will be relocating from that URL after march 15)

Update as of March 6, 2014:

There are signs the 2014 Texas Bluebonnet season might be getting off to an early start. Let’s cross our fingers it doesn’t happen!

Corpus Christi has already reported various bluebonnet patches along I-37 north of downtown already in full bloom. They are on the smaller side but a welcome sight nonetheless.

There were, however, no additional blooms north of Corpus Christi to San Antonio along I-37 as of February 28, 2014.

There are reports there are blooms along I-10 in the median between Luling and Columbus — not any large fields but periodic blooming plants. This is typical for this area. It’s always one of the first to begin blooming in the state.

Saw a few blooms in the Texas Hill Country in Marble Falls and along FM 1431 just outside Marble Falls. No fields or large patches, mostly Mavericks here and there. Moisture is definitely needed in the Hill Country for the plants already on the ground to get plump and juicy. Everyone pray for precipitation!

Brenham has a nice bluebonnet patch blooming downtown. These bluebonnets are Townies and it’s typical for them to bloom first as they’re protected from temperature extremes unlike they’re Free-Rangers brethren out in the fields. Fields around Brenham have not begun to bloom as of March 4, 2014.

Ennis reports lots of bluebonnet plants on the ground waiting for temperatures to warm up and the sun to shine but no substantial blooming as of March 4, 2014.

As you’re making your plans for Bluebonnet Roadtrips this season, don’t forget the Bluebonnet Festivals that happen in the month of April. Unfortunately due to Easter falling on the third weekend of April, all Bluebonnet Festivals — Chappell Hill, Burnet, and Ennis — will be happening on the same weekend, April 12-13.

All the rain we got means it's going to be a great season.

We take off from Houston, up 290 through Brenham to to Chappell Hill, and then across the back roads to Washington on the Brazos (a great pit stop) and then circle back for home from Navasota on Hwy 6. That's most of a day (usually a Saturday).

[efhmc]

6. Saw some last week along MoPac in Austin.

[PDittie]

7. Your Texas wildflower season forecast

Heavy rains, and even that wintry mix, that Texans suffered through this winter mean we'll be rewarded in the spring with a spectacular wildflower season. All we need now is warmer weather.

March could still be cool enough to delay wildflower blooms in some parts of Texas, but bluebonnets, phlox and primrose are already sprouting up along some state highways, experts at the The University of Texas at Austin's Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center said in a press release.

"All signs point to a good wildflower season," said senior botanist Damon Waitt. "We've had good fall precipitation and good winter precipitation in many parts of the state—not just rain, but sleet and snow as well."

...

"At Houston Audubon's Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, the leaves of a number of wildflowers including rosinweed, Texas coneflower, black-eyed Susan, rattlesnake master and blue-eyed grass are up, but not many have flowered yet. The exceptions are some violets and Carolina jessamine."

Bluebonnets are also beginning to grow along Highway 290 on the way to Austin.

"Whether or not the peak bloom is on time or delayed remains to be seen," Waitt said. "A colder than normal March will tend to delay the season whereas warm March temperatures with good rainfall and sunshine will promote growth and extend the season."

http://www.chron.com/life/article/Your-Texas-wildflower-season-forecast-5297244.php?cmpid=lifestylehcat