Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Saturday - April 26, 2008

From: Irving, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: Planting bluebonnets near pond area
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

We want to scatter bluebonnet seeds on the banks of a pond area in a housing addition. Do we have to do anything special? How do they do it along highways?

ANSWER:

Please visit our "How to Articles" page where you will find all your answers about growing bluebonnets in three articles: How to Grow Bluebonnets, How to Grow Bluebonnets: Rhizobium FAQs, and How to Grow Bluebonnets: Scarification FAQs. There are other articles on the same page that might also be useful to your project (e.g., Meadow Gardening and Roadside Planting).

Many bluebonnet seeds are maturing now and will start dropping to produce next year's plants; but, as you will see from the articles, the best time for you to sow your bluebonnet seeds is in the fall, ideally in early October. Please realize that it will take a couple of years for the bluebonnets to become well-established—so be patient and you will soon have a beautiful blue patch each spring.


Lupinus texensis

Lupinus texensis

Lupinus texensis

Lupinus texensis

 

 

More Propagation Questions

Does Monarda citriodora, lemon beebalm, self-fertilize?
March 09, 2008 - Does Monarda citriodora produce its seeds from cleistogamous flowers? Thank you
view the full question and answer

Planting star hibiscus seeds from Austin
September 21, 2010 - TX star hibiscus seeds. How & when to plant in ground & in pots. Thank you, Carol
view the full question and answer

Planting iris rhizomes in Wisconsin
October 10, 2008 - I live in central WI and was given some iris bulbs (think they are called Rhizomes) and have no idea how to go about planting them. I am very new to planting so step by step instructions with good de...
view the full question and answer

Transplanting or seeding Indian paintbrush in Bend OR
July 21, 2009 - I would like to know whether I can transplant native Indian paintbrush plants into my landscaping, or do I need to try and grow them from seed?
view the full question and answer

Propagation of poinsettias
June 09, 2005 - How do I grow poinsettias from seed pods?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.