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
Thursday - February 12, 2009
From: Longmont, CO
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Growing Texas Bluebonnets in Colorado
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I bought bluebonnet seeds from your wildflower center last August when visited Austin. Being a Texas native, I want to enjoy bluebonnets here in Colorado. When do I plant my seeds outdoors? In the ground or in a container? Do I start them inside first? Thank you!ANSWER:
Your question is one we frequently receive and it's gratifying to know that Texans abiding for a time in other parts of the world miss and appreciate our beloved state flower. Unfortunately, your desire goes right to the heart of our mission and sorely wounds it! Please don't feel bad, though; we know your intentions are noble and they are completely understandable. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's mission is based on encouraging the use and appreciation of locally native plant species. Since Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet) is not native to Colorado we would fail in our mission if we didn't bring this issue to your attention. However, we will try to help as best we can.
If you wish to grow Texas bluebonnet in Colorado we would highly recommend sowing your seeds in containers. Lupinus texensis is a winter annual. That is, it is a plant that germinates in the fall, forms a rosette during the winter months and then flowers in the spring. Colorado winters are probably much too harsh to successfully grow Texas bluebonnets as a garden plants.
In Texas, nature sows the seeds of Lupinus texensis in May or early June, about 30 to 45 days after flowering. Texas bluebonnet seedcoats are extremely hard and are, at first, impermeable to water. After a few months of settling into the soil, the seedcoats soften and the seeds germinate and begin to grow. People, by nature, like to do things their own way, so they usually wait until fall, soak their bluebonnet seeds in water overnight and sow the next day. Lightly scratching the seeds into the soil will help to ensure good contact between the seeds and the soil. Do not sow your Texas bluebonnet seeds too deep.
Bluebonnets grow well in flower pots and other containers. They respond well to added nitrogen after the plant rosettes are established. You can sow your bluebonnet seeds in containers any time from May until October. However, the young, developing plants will need winter cold protection and plenty of direct sunlight to perfom well.
Alternatively, we would encourage you to try growing some of your Colorado lupines. Among the many species native there are: Lupinus argenteus (silvery lupine), Lupinus bakeri ssp. amplus (Baker's lupine), Lupinus caespitosus (stemless dwarf lupine), Lupinus caudatus (tailcup lupine), Lupinus plattensis (Nebraska lupine), Lupinus pusillus (rusty lupine), Lupinus sericeus (silky lupine) and Lupinus wyethii (Wyeth's lupine).
Finally, we recommend taking some time to read some of the How-to articles in NPIN, including a few specifically about growing Texas bluebonnets.
More Wildflowers Questions
Is Rudbeckia hirta annual, biennial... or what?
January 20, 2010 - The desciption for Rudbeckia hirta says it is biennial and blooms the second year then further down the page it says it is an annual, which is it? Will I see blooms the first or second year?
view the full question and answer
Creating a bluebonnet patch between Brenham and Houston.
April 12, 2009 - I am creating a Bluebonnet patch in a well-drained section of my flowerbed. I just planted the plants (it is now early April and I'm between Houston and Brenham, TX). I plan to let them go to seed ...
view the full question and answer
Gaura coccinea for xeric garden
May 14, 2007 - Is Scarlet Gaura (Gaura coccinea) a good plant for a small xeric garden? How invasive is it?
view the full question and answer
Bluebonnets and paintbrush for Fredericksburg VA
April 10, 2011 - Can I broadcast Texas bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush seeds, in Virginia, during early Spring and get germination; or, do I need to winterize and plant next spring.
view the full question and answer
What plants grow well in Athens, TX?
January 18, 2011 - Athens, Texas, we have very sandy soil mixed with clay, what plants grow well here?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |