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

Friday - September 16, 2005

From: Grapevine, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Wildflower seeds to be sown on roadway for wedding
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

My daughter is planning an outdoor wedding reception at a ranch in Granbury, Texas, on April 29, 2006. We would like to sow wildflower seeds along the roadway leading to the ranch. What flowers would you recommend so they would be in full bloom at that time of year? Isn't this the ideal time to plant the seeds? What specific planting instructions would you suggest?

ANSWER:

While I think your idea is wonderful, your results may be somewhat less than you are hoping for. Unfortunately, there is no way to schedule wildflowers to bloom on a specific date. Even those plants that normally flower at the end of April may appear earlier or later next year. There's just no way to be sure. Weather, predation, disease, even roadside mowing can all affect flowering time and intensity.

Many of our best roadside wildflowers are perennials which would not provide many flowers the first year after sowing. Some of the showier annuals that might flower at that time are Bluebonnet (toward the end of their season), Indian Blanket (just beginning their season), Drummond's Phlox and Coreopsis. Early autumn is the best time to sow most wildflower seeds in Texas.

Another consideration is ownership of the roadside. You should consult with and get the permission of the state, county, city or private landowner of the roadside that you wish to plant before you do anything.

We have written a series of articles on native plant gardening. You may want to refer to them in our online Native Plant Library. Two articles specific to your question can be found in the Native Plant Library Wildflower Meadow Gardening and Planting Wildflowers along Roadside.
 

More Wildflowers Questions

What is wrong with the bluebonnets?
April 04, 2008 - This doesn't seem to be a very good year for bluebonnets. What's up with that?
view the full question and answer

Is there a variety of bluebonnet called black gumbo
February 04, 2008 - I live in Grimes County, Texas on the eastern edge of the Blackland Prairie. A few years ago my hillside of Bluebonnet seed was harvested. I was told it was a rare 'black gumbo' variety of bluebon...
view the full question and answer

Low Groundcover for Washington State
February 03, 2015 - I'm trying to find a perfect fit for my piece of land in the State of Washington. I would say that the area is partly sunny and a somewhat moist area. I'm looking for a species of very small everg...
view the full question and answer

More on bluebonnets
May 02, 2006 - How are bluebonnets used by wildlife?
view the full question and answer

Planting time for wildflower seeds in Denton Co., TX
March 11, 2007 - I live in Denton county, Texas and I purchased 2 lbs of native texas wildflower seed from the local agr. extension. Is it too late to plant now and expect flowers from my seed ? Should I plant anyway...
view the full question and answer

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