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 - July 25, 2013
From: Biscayne Park, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Wild flowers in North Texas for October wedding from Biscayne FL
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am getting married in north Texas in October. I want to use wild flowers in addition to daisies. Which ones are in bloom in early oct? I've heard using flowers in season are more reasonably priced. Thank you!!ANSWER:
Well, that's refreshing. Usually when we hear from prospective brides, they are asking what seeds they can sprinkle around and have a wildflower garden in a month or so. Just so you know what we are talking about, you might read some of those previous answers:
Now, to your specific question. Have you checked to see if cut wildflowers are sold in the area where your wedding will be, and at what price? Or do you have access to property where wildflowers grow and permission to pick flowers from them? We have a list of native flowers suitable for using in arrangements composed by our "Flower Ladies" who come in and make beautiful arrangements for all over the Wildflower Center; however, they have access to what is blooming in the Wildflower Center, which the public does not. You can follow each plant link to our webpage on that plant for information, pictures and bloom times.We also have a How-To Article on Wildflower Arrangements.
Now, to answer your original question: We will go to our Recommended Species for North Central Texas and sort it by using the sidebar on the right hand side of that page. On that, we will select "herb" (herbaceous blooming plant) and October for bloom time. That results in a list of 15 plants, from which we will select 12- that's all the room we have for pictures but, again, you can follow plant links. There will probably be some duplication between the lists, but this will help you zero in on what is blooming then. Each plant has a range of blooming times, and there is no guarantee that any individual we suggest will actually be in bloom when you go looking.
Wildflowers Blooming in October in North Central Texas:
Conoclinium coelestinum (Blue mistflower) - July to November
Helianthus maximiliani (Maximilian sunflower) - August to November
Liatris mucronata (Cusp gayfeather) - August to December
Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower) - May to October
Machaeranthera tanacetifolia (Tanseyleaf tansyaster) - May to October
Melampodium leucanthum (Blackfoot daisy) - March to November
Ratibida columnifera (Mexican hat) - May to October
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed susan) - June to October
Salvia azurea (Pitcher sage) - September to November
Salvia farinacea (Mealy blue sage) - April to October
Vernonia baldwinii (Baldwin's ironweed) - July to November
Wedelia texana (Zexmenia) - May to November
From the Image Gallery
More Wildflowers Questions
Science project
May 16, 2010 - I am doing a science project and have to find 30 examples of flowers native to Texas to photograph. What is available in the Dallas - Fort Worth area that is easily photographed?
view the full question and answer
Critter-Proof Native Plants for Virginia Lawn
April 02, 2015 - We live in a gated community that was part of the Wilderness Battlefield during the Civil War. Our home is on a narrow lot, fully treed except for a postage stamp-sized lawn at lake side. We have de...
view the full question and answer
Latest time to mow bluebonnets from Chappell Hill TX
February 13, 2014 - The past few years, my bluebonnets have been overwhelmed by tall grass. I could have solved this by mowing later, but I was always afraid of mowing new bluebonnet plants. When is the latest time I can...
view the full question and answer
More on bluebonnets
April 01, 2003 - Is there such a thing as a red bluebonnet?
view the full question and answer
Mrs. Johnsons favorite flower
November 27, 2007 - I recall the the Black-eyed Susan was Lady Bird Johnson's favorite flower, is that true?
Did she have other favorites?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |