Wildflowers in Texas

Wildflowers in Texas

In Texas, wildflowers are a passion and the display is legendary. There are some 5,000 species of wildflowers in many types of environments. You can also find wildflowers year-round. But for the really big display that you see in all the great photos, you will want to visit Texas in spring, and specifically Central Texas. This is where and when the highways and fields burst forth with blankets of wildflowers, dominated by waves of Texas bluebonnets.

This display of wildflowers in Texas is not totally accidental. They take their wildflowers very seriously in Texas and the Texas State Department of Highways uses wildflowers to landscape 800,000 acres under its control. The National Wildflower Research Center is also located in Texas.

The Wildflower Season

A spectacular wildflower season in Texas depends on many factors. A dry summer is best because it keeps the flowers from going to seed too early, and a wet fall makes sure the seeds will grow at the proper time. A cold harsh winter is ideal because it prevents other plants from germinating and crowding out the wildflowers. A wet spring is essential if the wildflowers are to sprout and grow.

Wildflowers start early in the year at the southern and lower elevations and then spread across the state, reaching their peak in April. Generally, the prime months are March, April, and May, with bluebonnets at their peak in April. Wildflowers continue blooming throughout the year, especially in the higher elevations. There may also be another spectacular display in the fall after late summer storms.

Wildflower peak blooming periods are difficult to predict. It is also hard to know in advance if the season is going to be good at all. Rain and the conditions in the previous year can make a big difference. You will want to obtain current information by calling the wildflower hotline: (512) 832-4059, extension 4. The hotline is in operation from mid-March to the end of May and will tell you what is blooming throughout Texas.

Finding Wildflowers

Although this article concentrates on central Texas, other sections of Texas are well worth visiting. In the desert and mountains of west, rainfall is a very important. A good spring rain can turn this region into a kaleidoscope of color that can include bluebonnets, marigolds and flowering cactus. There may be another spurt of wildflower growth after the late summer rains. A good destination in west Texas would be Guadalupe National Park.

The Rio Grande area of southern Texas is also quite arid and depends a lot on rainfall. But if the rains come in the spring and then again in late summer, there will be a burst of colorful wildflowers and flowering cactus. A good destination in the Rio Grande area would be Big Bend National Park, where you can expect to see carpets of bluebonnets and contrasting yellow mustard early in spring as well as cactus and other desert plants. The prime blooming time is from mid-March to mid-May, with the peak being the middle of April. Later, the bloom moves into the Chisos Mountains. Some of the best bloom areas are along the road from Panther Junction to Elna or Boquillas Canyon, and Dagger Flats where the giant dagger flowers in late March and April.

East Texas gets abundant rainfall, so there is something blooming year-round. The Gulf Coast consists of mainly marshes and beaches. The section of Texas adjacent to Oklahoma is mainly forests and swamps. The forest area is dominated in spring by the blooming of the dogwood and wild azaleas. Soon after, the meadows are covered with phlox, primrose, wild passion flower and Texas bluebonnets.

A good destination in this section is the Big Thicket National Preserve near Beaumont. Spring is one of the prettiest times to visit. From March through May the dogwood, azalea, pitcher plants and sundew bloom. Summer brings in Indian blanket, magnolia and meadow beauty. In fall, you'll find cardinal flower, titi, ironweed and Barbara's buttons in bloom. The best trail for wildflowers in the preserve is the Sundew Trail, which usually has good displays all year. The Kirby Nature Trail is also outstanding in spring. Most of the wildflowers here are in the shaded areas of the forest.

The grassland prairie of the Texas panhandle is not too exciting for wildflowers but in spring and fall they add spots of color. In summer you will find displays of Indian blanket and verbena.

Central Texas

Austin

Most roadsides right around Austin can be good places to find wildflowers, especially if you are in based Austin and don't have time for a longer trip. Particularly good routes are along Route 290, Interstate 35, Loop 1 (Mopac) and Route 360 (Capital of Texas Highway).

The new National Wildflower Research Center, located just south of Austin, has 42 acres seeded with a variety of wildflowers and is a good place to wander through acres of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, pink evening primrose, and many others. There is also a butterfly garden and an observation tower.

If you have a bicycle you can tour the Veloway right near the center. This three-mile bicycle trail has also been seeded with wildflowers. The Wildflower Center is 15 minutes south of downtown Austin at 4801 La Crosse Boulevard. Take Loop 1 (Mopac) south past Slaughter Lane, turn east a quarter mile on La Cross Boulevard.

Highland Lakes (Northwest of Austin)

Several good drives center around Burnet. Burnet is about 65 miles from Austin.Take Route 71 northwest from Austin to Route 281 north to Marble Falls.

The wildflower drive begins in Marble Falls. Take Route 1431 along the north shore of Lake L.B. Johnson through Granite Shoals and Kingsland. This is a winding, picturesque road. Just after Kingsland there is a scenic overlook with a view of the entire area. Continue up the west shore of Lake Buchanan on Route 2241 14 miles to Tow. You must backtrack to Route 29. From here you can go east on Route 29 toward Burnet.

Another good deadend road to travel is Ranch Road 2341. This is on the east side of Lake Buchanan. Besides the wildflowers there are some good views of Lake Buchanan. The road ends in 15 miles. From Burnet then take Route 281 back to Marble Falls.

If you prefer, from Route 29 you can go west to Llano and pick up the LLano/Fredericksburg tour. During the first two weekends of April the Highland Lakes area sponsors a Bluebonnet Trail.

Llano/Fredericksburg (west and northwest of Austin)

One of the best wildflower routes is from Llano to Fredericksburg and then to Johnson City. You can reach Llano via Route 71 northwest of Austin or take Route 290 west from Austin to Johnson City.

If you are starting in Llano, take Route 16 south. About 30 miles south of Llano there is a loop through Willow City that can often be good. At Fredericksburg head east on Route 290. Near the small town of Stonewall is the LBJ State Park, which often has reliably good wildflower displays.

During April Llano has a Bluebonnet Trail and a photo contest. Contact the chamber for entry rules.

Mason County (Northwest of Austin)

The Mason County Tour can also be combined with both of the above tours. Mason County is known for its stone fences and stone houses which can add a bit of interest to your wildflower pictures. There are several good tours that take you through the countryside around the town of Mason.

Head north from Mason toward Fredonia. About 3.5 miles north of town is a one-room schoolhouse. Turn right to Fredonia Community with an antique windmill. Turn right (east) on Route 71 to continue the tour. There are quite a few old cemeteries along this section of road. One at around four miles east of Fredonia on the right, one at mile seven on the right, and one at mile eight on the left. At about mile 25 you will reach a hill with good views. You can either return by the same route or go south from Pontotoc along a dirt road that eventually links with Route 29.

Driving south on Route 87 is also a nice drive. At mile 10.7 turn right onto Route 783 and then left at the crossroad. At mile 14 there is a windmill and some farmhouses with rock fences. At mile 16.5 you cross Beaver Creek and a good place to stop for a photo. Just beyond the crossing is an old German house on the left and more rock fences. At mile 26.5 there is a two-story rock house with rock fences. When you rejoin Route 87, turn north. Drive north until you cross the Llano River (about a mile and a half beyond the Route 783 turnoff). About 1.5 miles later you will come to more interesting fences, ruins of an early home and then a broken windmill. About 5.5 miles from the turnoff is a series of rock fences for the next mile and a half. Eight miles from Route 87 there is a barn, house and windmill. Just before rejoining Route 29 there is a one-room schoolhouse.

Washington County and Brazos River (East of Austin)

Washington County around the town of Brenham and the Brazos River area is rated as one of the best wildflower scenic drives. From Austin take Route 290 east to Brenham. From Houston take Route 290 west.

For a scenic tour of the region, take Route 290 east from Brenham to Chapell Hill and Hemstead. Then take Route 6 north to Navasota. Then return to Brenham on Route 105 with a stop at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park.

An especially scenic drive is through the pastoral Brazos River Valley. Take FM 1155 between Chappell Hill and Washington. There are also several good roads to explore right around the Brenham area. (See map.) The best times here are the last two weeks of March and the first two weeks of April. The Brenham Exchange Club has a photography contest. (See Travel Notes.)

La Grange Area (Southeast of Austin)

Another good route to take is from Bastrop on Route 71 to La Grange to Columbus, then pick up Route 90 that parallels Interstate 10 (heading west back toward San Antonio). At Schulenburg head north on Route 77 back toward La Grange. There also are some excellent areas northeast of La Grange in the Fayetteville, Industry, and Round Top areas on Routes 159 and 237 and the Farm to Market Roads 1457 and 1291, and adjoining gravel county roads.

South of La Grange the Hostyn, Swiss Alp, Freyburg, High Hill, Dubina, Ammonsville, and Holman areas are usually excellent for finding spectacular wildflower displays. These are in the vicinity of Highway 77. (See map.) The bloom in this area begins in late March and usually reaches its peak the second or third week of April. You can expect to photograph large expanses of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, wild phlox, verbena, pink evening primroses and buttercups. Often you will find cattle grazing among the flowers on hillside pastures. Other good subjects in the area include old gray farm buildings, rural churches with garden-like grounds, old cemeteries, and old iron bridges.

La Grange is about 65 miles from Austin, 110 miles east of San Antonio and 100 miles west of Houston.

Yoakum and DeWitt County (east of San Antonio)

The best time for wildflowers in this area is from April 1 to April 30. The bluebonnets are best during the first 2-3 weeks and then the yellows take over. The predominant flowers in this area are bluebonnets, Indian blankets, primroses, buttercups, hollyhocks, coreopsis and verbena. You can add some interesting subjects to your wildflower photos including century-old live oak trees, wildflower-covered cemeteries, historic churches and the Guadalupe River Valley.