About
Press Releases
The communications office of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin provides media with timely, accurate information about the Wildflower Center. Below are recent press releases related to Center events and to staff expertise on conservation practices, native plant gardening, nature education, and native plant resources and research findings. For more information or photos beyond those on the newsroom site, please contact:
| Communications Director Saralee Tiede 512.232.0104 stiede@wildflower.org |
Media Manager Barbra Rodriguez 512.232.0105 brodriguez@wildflower.org |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2004
Bluebonnet displays are variable from year to year, depending upon weather and rainfall. Additionally, certain conditions must be met in order for Texas bluebonnets to thrive:
- Seeding in September-October in sunny, well-drained areas
- Adequate rains in throughout the fall
- Removal of competition from other plants - bluebonnets like their own space and own soil
By the end of 2003, Travis County had a 12-inch rain shortfall, directly affecting the county's 2004 bluebonnet crops. The Wildflower Center continued to water its own bluebonnet crops throughout these months to ensure bountiful spring bluebonnet displays. Additionally the Center has created six to 10 new photo opportunity spots throughout its grounds so that visitors can capture a wonderful photo next to a bluebonnet display.
The amount of spring rain that the county has received this year should make for beautiful displays of the other Central Texas Wildflowers. As the bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush begin to fade, the region will experience other blooms and colors. Many of these flowers overlap from one month to another.
| March Blooms | April Blooms | May Blooms |
