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

Monday - March 15, 2010

From: Brenham, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Bluebonnet party for April 17 in Brenham TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I wish to have a Bluebonnet party. I planted seeds in the spring and fall and the plants have come up like crazy. Given our unusual weather, when can you predict they will peak.?? I was planning the party for April 10, but now must move it back to the 17th.

ANSWER:

Having lived not too long ago in Brenham, and driven through it today en route from Houston to Austin, we think you can count on having a good showing on your target date. Ordinarily, Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet) blooms from March to May, with the heaviest bloom in the last week of March to the first week of April. It appears the late, severe weather (snow!) may have inhibited their development a little bit in Central Texas, so it would seem that the third week in April should still be fine.  If you think they are developing too fast, you can always deadhead them before they go to seed, which will usually inspire another bloom, as plants all need to bloom in order to have seed to propagate themselves.

From our Native Plant Image Gallery:


Lupinus texensis

Lupinus texensis

Lupinus texensis

Lupinus texensis

 

 

 

More Wildflowers Questions

Texas wildflower blooms by month
July 20, 2007 - What Texas wildflowers bloom in January across the state? And the same for the following months throughout the year. Thank you.
view the full question and answer

When and how to sow bluebonnets in Concho, Texas
May 25, 2010 - Please tell me when I should plant bluebonnet seeds in Concho County, Texas (near San Angelo). I am getting different answers from different sources. Also, can the seeds be strown or do they need to a...
view the full question and answer

When to plant wildflower spring mix seeds in Ashburn VA
March 15, 2011 - I just bought wildflower springmix and want to know when to plant them, is there a specific temperature?
view the full question and answer

Bees and Bulbs
April 20, 2015 - Are any of the Non-Native bulbs beneficial to bees of any kind? My Dutch hyacinths, and daffodils are so prolific; they are both single, but I can't find any information about them as sources of nect...
view the full question and answer

Wildlife management programs for tax exemptions
March 17, 2006 - I own a property in La Grange, Texas on which we're considering a wildlife management exemption. Would there be a program that also provides tax advantages for growing wildflowers?
view the full question and answer

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