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Thursday - June 16, 2011

From: San Marcos, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Wildflowers for decorating for a wedding from San Marcos TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I am in the early stages of planning my wedding for next year. I would like to decorate with wildflowers in mason jars. I need to set a date! What is the peak season for wildflowers blooming in central Texas? Any advice on picking, keeping the flowers from wilting, and doing the least amount of harm when it comes to making sure the flowers come back next year? Also, do you have predictions on how good the wildflower season will be next year considering the drought this year?

ANSWER:

We don't want to rain on your wedding, but if it doesn't rain on Central Texas in the Fall and Winter, there will be slim pickings when you start looking for flowers to gather for your wedding. That's what happened to wildflower season this year; fortunately, those seeds that didn't get enough water to sprout this year will be waiting in the soil for next year and, hopefully, rain at the right time. That is as close as we can come to predicting, a year in advance, what kind of wildflower season we will have.

In terms of not doing harm, don't pull a whole plant out of the ground when it is in bloom. Until those blooms have been pollinated and they have died back to make room for the seeds to develop and drop to the ground, there will be no assurance that the same plants will grow in the same place next year.

Central Texas is a good place to find wildflowers, and generally, the middle of Spring, March and April, provide the most abundant show. The iconic bluebonnet usually is around for about 6 weeks, more prolifically in late March to early April.

Please be sure you have a backup plan, and your logistics worked out. Most wildflowers grow, bloom and go to seed very quickly; flowers cut today, even though they are put in water, may be drooping tomorrow. A sudden cold spell, hard-pelting rain or an insect invasion can all damage the possibilities.