Native Plants
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.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
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.
rate this answer
Friday - November 19, 2004
From: Dallas, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Smarty Plants on earliest blooming wildflowers
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
For Spring, what are the earliest blooming wild flowers and when do they typically bloom? I know it's terribly early to be predicting these things, but any idea if the 2005 Bluebonnet crop in Austin will be coming earlier rather than later? (I'm wanting to do a bluebonnet bridal portrait). Thanks!!ANSWER:
You can find lists of early blooming wildflowers by going to the Wildflower Center web page and selecting "Explore Plants" from the side bar. Next, select "Native Plants Database". On this page you will have the option of doing an "Advanced Search" where you can search using different criteria such as bloom time, bloom color, growth form, distribution and more.Here are a few examples of wildflowers in Texas that bloom as early as February: winecups (Callirhoe involucrata), red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis, golden thread (Thelesperma filifolium), scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea), rose vervain (Glandularia canadensis), wind-flower (Anemone berlandieri).
Generally, the peak of the bluebonnet flowering is early to mid April. The timing and abundance of the bluebonnet bloom is highly dependent on the weather with the winter and spring temperatures and rainfall as major factors. Certainly this autumn has given us plenty of rainfall and mild temperatures, but who can predict what the winter and spring will bring!
More Wildflowers Questions
Wildflower seeds that may be planted in late spring
April 21, 2007 - Monday April 09, 2007
Is it too late to plant wildflowers? I know nothing of the planting season of wildflowers however we are doing a residential ranch development and I would love to throw some see...
view the full question and answer
Transplanting wildflowers before construction begins
September 23, 2004 - Can wildflowers be transplanted? I'm building a house and wonder what can I save before the builder clears the lot.
view the full question and answer
Wildflower garden for a drain field in Olivet MI
June 27, 2010 - I have a large area that is currently lawn over a drain field. I would like to turn this area into a wild flower garden. Will the wild flower roots, etc. cause any concerns or damages to a drain fie...
view the full question and answer
Central Texas wildflowers
March 20, 2004 - How do I propagate specific central Texas wildflowers?
view the full question and answer
When do you put out bluebonnet seeds in Bastrop, TX?
April 17, 2012 - When do you put out bluebonnet seeds?? I hear fall but don't the seeds pop out of dried up plants in early summer?
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |