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 is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - January 12, 2010
From: Midland, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: When can bluebonnet seeds in freezer be planted in Midland TX
Answered by: Janice Kvale
QUESTION:
I have a large pkg of bluebonnets in my freezer that I had planned to plant in October and forgot. Is January too late for Bluebonnets to come up in March-April? A year ago in Spring my brother and I visited the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center. It was fantastic. Thank you so much for having such a beautiful place to visit.ANSWER:
Alas! The last possible planting date for Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet) is December 15. I fear you will be disappointed if you plant your seed now. What would happen most likely is that some will germinate and grow but before they are well established they will die in the hot, dry months. It is possible that some seeds will stay dormant in the soil now and germinate next fall. But you may have better success waiting until next October and planting the seeds you have in the freezer then. This will give you time to select and prepare your best site for bluebonnets.You may want to review the "rules" for bluebonnets at the following web sites: http://www.dot.state.tx.us/public_involvement/wildflowers/planting_bluebonnets.htm and http://www.wildflower.org/howto/.
In the meantime, we invite you to again visit the beautiful Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, dedicated to preserving the native flora in Texas and the United States. April is the month for a good show of bluebonnets and the crop this year appears promising.
Keep the faith; you shall have bluebonnets!
More Propagation Questions
Propagating American Beautyberry in Medina OH
October 05, 2009 - I brought home a small branch of American beautyberries when I was vacationing in N. Carolina. How do I go about planting them and will they survive in the Cleveland area?
view the full question and answer
Propagating Dakota vervain (Glandularia binpinnatifida)
August 07, 2008 - Dakota Vervain.
We recently moved into a new house in Henly--Hays/Blanco county line. Mother nature was kind enough to provide us w/Dakota Vervain in some of our planting beds while we are getting...
view the full question and answer
Crossbreedding of Lupinus polyphyllus and L. perennis
June 25, 2007 - Hello, can Lupinus polyphyllus and L. perennis crossbreed? I have both and want to keep perennis genetically pure, is the only way to do this is to get rid of the polyphyllus?
view the full question and answer
Bluebonnets in Hampton VA?
July 12, 2014 - I gave my mom Blue Bonnet seeds for her yard in Hampton VA. She is on a mission to have no lawn and loves flowers. The seeds say to plant in Texas August-November. But, when should she plant them i...
view the full question and answer
Flowers for Fall in Bosque County from Valley Mills TX
April 06, 2012 - What Wildflowers could we plant in Bosque County area to bloom in the Fall?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |