Experts predict vibrant early wildflower season in Texas in 2023

Texans should prepare for this year’s wild flower season.

According to experts on Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in AustinWildflower season in Texas will be especially lush in 2023.

“I think this is going to be an above average spring, especially when it comes to blue nets,” says Andrea DeLong-Amaia, director of the Horticulture Center. “We had a good autumn rain when the seedlings were just starting to sprout, and it continued all winter.”

Precipitation isn’t the only factor that influences when the wildflower season starts. Temperatures in Texas year-round can cause wildflowers to bloom sooner or later.

“In the fall, we get more than usual rainfall, which is a good thing, because in addition to bluecaps, other wildflowers usually sprout at this time,” said Julie Marcus, senior horticulturist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. “But we’ve had these warmer temperatures, seasonally warm temperatures that have caused them to bloom a little earlier. Now we’re a little concerned that they’re reaching their peak earlier than usual.”

Weather maps provided by David Yeomans, KXAN meteorologist and Wildflower Center advisory board member, show that January and February in 2023 were significantly warmer in Texas than the previous year.

“The warmer it is, the earlier they bloom,” DeLong-Amaia said.

While there are five types of “blue net” found in Texas, the most common one, the Texas bluecap, usually peaks in central Texas in early April, but weather conditions in Texas can cause the flowers to bloom earlier than usual.

According to Marcus, here in North Texas, the peak season for wildflowers is usually 10 to 12 days after the peak season in Central Texas. This means North Texas residents can expect to see more spring wildflowers this year in late March and early April.

Experts say last summer’s weather patterns could also affect wildflower growth in the state. The drought experienced by much of Texas during the summer months of 2022 could contribute to a bountiful wildflower season this year.

“Perhaps because of the drought, some grasses die off,” explains DeLong-Amaia. “This opens up soil space for growing blue nets and other spring-blooming annuals.”

While Texans wait to see blue hats cover the roadsides, other flowers like mountain laurel, Carolina jasmine and Mexican plum are currently in bloom, according to the Wildflower Center.

“Mexican plum [in particular] attracts many different pollinators,” says DeLong-Amaya. “It’s quite interesting to just stand there and watch what comes up. There is something new every day as the season progresses.”

According to Marcus, flowers such as Indian brush and Gaillardia, also known as Indian blanket or firewheel, usually bloom at the same time as blue caps.

According to Marcus, the Indian brush has a symbiotic relationship with blue nets, but since the year was drier than usual in Texas, the Indian brush may bloom a little later than usual.

At the same time, flowers like gaillardia and pink evening primrose, which love drier conditions, are expected to bloom on schedule.

In early spring, North Texas residents can expect to see flowers such as Phlox drummondii, Wind Anemone, Carolina jasmine, and coral honeysuckle. According to Marcus, there may also be a vine soon, which blooms around the same time that hummingbirds return to Texas.

“Just go and enjoy the wildflowers,” Marcus said. “Looks like it’s going to be a great year, especially for blue hat lovers.”

When North Texas residents head out to enjoy the wildflowers and photograph the vibrant flowers, it’s important to keep safety in mind.

Marcus reminds those who prefer to stop on the side of the highway, pull off the road and be safe.

“We always tell people to respect the fence lines and not violate the borders, but the main thing is to be safe,” Markus said. – And try to choose a place where someone has already sat down, instead of creating a new place where you have all the territory trampled down. sow and provide blue hats for the next year or years.”

There are other places where North Texans can enjoy wildflowers. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Fort Worth Botanical Gardenand nature centers around North Texas will provide a stunning showcase of all that the 2023 wildflower season has to offer.

“What I would advise people in these areas is to respect the gardens,” Markus said.

Luckily for Texans, early spring isn’t the only time to enjoy the state’s wildflowers. Marcus said some late spring flowers such as coreopsis, horsemint, black-eyed susan, green thread, powdery blue sage, lantana, zexmenia and four-nerve daisy are expected to appear in late April and May.

“We are very lucky in Texas to have color all year round,” Marcus said.

As this vibrant wildflower season kicks off in Texas, it’s important to remember that while blue hats are an iconic symbol of Texas, there are many other types of flowers to enjoy.

“I hope people will look beyond blue bonnets because there is so much more,” Markus said.

Flowers to See for the 2023 Wildflower Season