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.

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Sunday - March 14, 2004

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Baby Butts in Bluebonnets
Answered by: Sage Kawecki

QUESTION:

Do photo sessions in the Bluebonnet patch cause harm to the plants?

ANSWER:

Standing and sitting on Bluebonnets damages the flowers, which greatly diminishes their ability to set seed for the next year. Also, native pollinators depend on the Bluebonnet as a food source, and are directly affected by the diminished Bluebonnet population. Please be respectful of Bluebonnet communities and keep them looking good so that everyone can enjoy them. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center provides specific Bluebonnet patches in our botanical garden for your photo opportunities.

From the Image Gallery

Texas bluebonnet
Lupinus texensis