In Central Texas when we think about wildflowers we always think about our
\nbeloved bluebonnets. No doubt about it, the bluebonnets are having a fabulous
\nshowing this year. My yard has the thickest batch ever 33 years after we first
\naimlessly threw out bluebonnet seeds on our patch of hill country soil. Children
\nwho had their first bluebonnet photos in our yard are now having their own
\nchildren who squirm while Mom and Dad try to get them to pose.<\/p>\n
But sooner or later bluebonnets fade and evolve in to dried up brown plants that
\nwe wait to mow down until the last of the dry seed pods have spilled their seeds
\nfor next year. Not to worry, however, as the bluebonnets fade there are variety
\nof other wildflowers, some not so well known, that make for a vibrant display.
\nIndian paintbrush is also showy this year. It is sometimes hard to get started, and
\ntransplanting may kill it, so folks with this coral reddish paint-brush style flower
\non their property should consider themselves lucky.<\/p>\n
Also common along the roadsides are the colorful pin-wheel like Indian Blanket,
\nalso known as Firewheel. They generally bloom after the bluebonnets and add
\ncolor to the yard as the bluebonnets fade. They are very tolerant of heat and dry
\nconditions.<\/p>\n
In mid to late April be on the lookout for milkweed along the roadside. Milkweed
\nis absolutely crucial to the monarch butterfly as it is the only food source for the
\nmonarch butterfly caterpillar. A common form in Central Texas is the antelope
\nhorn. (see photo). Monarch numbers have been declining due, in part, to
\npesticide use in agriculture, so there has been a growing movement to encourage
\ngrowth and protection of the milkweed habitat to ensure that we don\u2019t lose our
\nbeloved monarchs as they follow migration paths to their winter home in Central
\nMexico.<\/p>\n
For more information about Texas Wildflowers checkout this article about the
\n\u201cTexas Top 20\u201d from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center:<\/p>\n
\n