Once again, I am pleased to announce that bluebonnet season is here. Below is a pic of the first one to bloom in our yard. It will be interesting to see how well they do this year. Because of last years drought, I was initially afraid that it was going to be a bad year. However, the January and February rains may have come just in time.
Photo by Sally White
In my own yard, we have knee high foliage around the trees. That is because we were pouring the water to those trees to keep them alive last summer and fall. Until about a month ago I thought the bluebonnets under the trees were going to be all we got at the White House. However, with the help of the winter rain, the rest of my yard is now covered in foliage that is about 6″ tall.
If you live more than 100 miles north of Houston, your bluebonnets probably look like this now. Photo by Sally White
Like everything else, bluebonnets bloom at different times based on their latitude. If you live within 50 miles of Houston, you are already seeing the highways show color. If you live further north than that, your blooms will come in a week or two. BTW, you want to hear an interesting horticultural fact about why bluebonnets in particular, and wildflowers in general, bloom along the highways before they do in your yard? It’s because of the pollution produced by the cars. One of the major components of car exhaust is ozone (chemical symbol O3). Ozone is a colorless, odorless gas that causes plants to grow faster and bloom sooner. That’s why blueboonets always bloom first along the road. Now before you get too excited thinking “WOW! This is a cool side effect of pollution”, remember ozone works on ALL plants. Things like dandelions and ragweed will also grow faster and bloom sooner under its effects.
So, based on the bluebonnets in my yard, I am happy to announce that once again it is time to load up the family and the camera and head out into the country for some more bluebonnet pictures. In spite of last year’s drought, the recent rains make me confident that this will be another great year for you take hundreds of pictures of your kids nestled among the big, beautiful mounds of blue that are supplied to us by the best state flower in the country!
If you want to learn more about the history and botany of bluebonnets, check out last years post at https://masterofhort.com/2011/03/bluebonnet-season-is-here/
Will Easter weekend be too late for the bluebonnet’s?
It really depends on where you live. If you are close to Houston they will probably be starting to fade. Mine are at a full maturity right now so they will start to decline by the end of this week. If you live closer to Dallas they should be pretty decent on Easter