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
2 ratings

Monday - November 23, 2009

From: Cedar Creek, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: What happens to wildflower seeds planted before a heavy rain in Cedar Creek TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I planted tx wildflower seeds yesterday--November 19th. It has rained all day with water standing in the places that I planted. Do you think that they will take? Am I going to have to plant more seeds? I sure hope not!

ANSWER:

Well, let's think this through. Generally, we recommend that wildflower seeds be planted at about the time the plants would be dropping their seeds in the ordinary chain of events. That usually is earlier than this, maybe mid-October. But who would think we would ever get the kind of rain we have been getting in Central Texas the last couple weeks? Or the kind of heat and drought we have had the last couple years? So, we're thinking that any seeds on the ground when that rain hit would be happy seeds, able to sprout right away instead of having to lie low for maybe years until it rained again. If you raked your seeds in as is instructed on seed packets, they may not have even moved. If they were just lying on the ground, they might have washed a little way off from where you intended they come up, but when they start seeding themselves, they are going to go where they wish and where they find optimum conditions anyway. Because of finally getting some Fall rains, we are expecting a nice crop of wildflowers in the Spring. Texas wildflower seeds are generally prepared to wait for better days and come up when the conditions are good. We think a lot of your seeds will germinate and you will begin to see the baby plants by the end of the year, while the rest wait and come up another year, along with the seeds from the ones you just planted. If you are a belt and suspenders person, you can always plant some more seeds, but we don't think it's going to be necessary in order for you to have a stand of beautiful Texas wildflowers.

 

 

More Wildflowers Questions

Nightblooming flower for Alberta, Canada
July 28, 2012 - Are there any night flowers that bloom in august or early september with more than one flower bud for each plant that is native to Canada?
view the full question and answer

Wildflower trails in the Hill Country in Texas from Austin
February 13, 2011 - Where can I find information about wildflower trails in the Hill Country (from Llano southward to Uvalde area)? I am planning a driving trip the week of April 18th.
view the full question and answer

Grass in mixed wildflowers in Gloucester VA
September 02, 2009 - I have a acre of mixed wildflowers which is in its 3rd season. I now have some grass issues. I have sprayed for just the grass but still have too much. Should I bush hog, disk and replant ??
view the full question and answer

Parasitic paintbrush
March 29, 2009 - Many years ago I tried to grow some paintbrush seedlings with some seeds you sent me and found it difficult. Based on pictures in the literature I noticed that paintbrushes do not seem to affect their...
view the full question and answer

Small, flowering, evergreen plants for hillside in Austin.
October 27, 2007 - I have a steep, dry hillside measuring approximately 4 feet high by six feet wide. I want to plant low growing, evergreen, flowering plants across the bed that will flower as long as possible, and thr...
view the full question and answer

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