Mutant Bluebonnet-Fasciation

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Jay White

Below you will find a picture of the most incredible and unusual bluebonnet that I have ever seen. My best friend, Johnny Pickle, found this on his place just outside of Bellville,Texas. It is the most unusual plant thing I have ever seen. Now I know that bluebonnets often mutate. I have seen pure white ones. A “maroon” mutation is what allowed my friends at A&M to create the maroon and white variety. However, this one is not a color mutation. I don’t even know how to describe this. It looks like about ten stems fused together that then created one massive flower head. Truly incredible!

Incredible mutant bluebonnet on a ranch near Bellville, Texas

MYSTERY SOLVED- After writing this post, I sent the picture out to my friends in Extension at A&M According to my friends Cynthia Mueller and Doug Welsh, this is rare but not unheard of. In fact, this is the second photo like this they have seen this year. This bluebonnet is suffering from a condition called fasciation. Fasciation is literally translated to mean “bundling”. Fasciation is caused by some sort of stress like physical damage, hormonal imbalance, virus, bacteria, insects or drought. Now we had plenty of drought last year and that is probably what caused this.

Fasciation is very common in Celosia (cock’s comb) and those blooms are highly sought after. Since fasciation is not a genetic mutation, you cannot save these seeds and plan on getting the same thing next year.

2012 Bluebonnet Season is Here!

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Jay White

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/

Maximilian Sunflowers (Helianthus maximiliani)

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Jay White

Maximilian Sunflowers lining the entrance of Wldseed Farms in Fredericksberg

As you drive along the high ways and by ways of our great state this fall, notice all of the native plants that are in full bloom. Fall is a great time for many native flowers and perennials. One of the most stunning and prolific of the fall blooming Texas natives is the Maximilian Sunflower. It is hard to drive anywhere in Texas right now and not see this stately and beautiful plant. Maximilian Sunflowers produce stalks that can reach 8’ to 10’ in height. The tall stalks can be completely covered with bright yellow flowers from their base to their tip. These flowers produce tons of little seeds that ensure that they, and many species of wildlife, will survive until next year.

Close up of the heads of these beautiful flowers

Maximilian sunflowers are actually a perennial plant. Even though they flower and disperse their seeds like an annual, their roots will survive even the harshest of Texas winters. Due to this combination of perennial roots and very productive seed heads, Maximilian Sunflowers often develop into very large and thick colonies of plants. The yellow flowers of these colonies result in fabulous drifts of yellow that paint the fence rows and ditches of fall rural Texas.

The stalk of my Maximilian right before it bloomed, This stalk is about 9′ tall

Even though Maximilian’s are native, they do very well in cultivation. I have this plant in my beds and so do many of my friends. It is a great pass along plant. In fact, that is how I got mine. My friend Cynthia Mueller brought me some shoots from her established colony this previous spring. Cynthia has a very beautiful stand that she divides every year and shares with all that want them.

Maximillians in the front border of my potager

Since Maximilian Sunflowers are a native plant, they will do well in low water situations. However, if you want them to be truly spectacular, water them just like any other bedding plant (about 1” of water per week). They love full sun and will grow in just about any soil type. Because of their tall foliage, you may be required to stake or prune them. If pruning, trim them down to about 2’ or 3’ in late June or early July. This will keep the plant from growing much over four feet. When pruned in this manner they can make a very attractive hedge or border. Also, since Maximilians are sunflowers, they last forever as a cut flower in your fall bouquets.

Maximilian’s in mixed Fall bouquet from my beds

My wife and I recently visited Wildseed Farms in Fredericksberg. They use Maximilian Sunflowers extensively throughout their property and the results are beautiful. While on their property, I noticed Maximilian used as a stand-alone specimen, in stunning combinations and in mass plantings. Each use of the plant was very appealing to the eye. This large scale, fall blooming plant will reward you with beautiful flowers for years to come and, as an added bonus, this tough and reliable fall perennial will draw in several species of birds, moths and butterflies to your garden. If you would like some for yourself you can order on-line (or visit) Wildseed Farms or get a start from a friends garden. This lovely perennial will reward with years and years of reliable blooms.

Guara (Guara lendheimeri)

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Jay White

Pink guara growing in my front bed

If you are looking for a plant that is tough as nails and blooms from spring through fall, then guara may be a fit for your garden. Gaura is a Texas native that loves full sun and tolerates drought. I have learned to appreciate its drought tolerance this summer. Right now, I am pouring the water to my beds. While it is keeping things alive, nothing is thriving. Nothing that is, except the guara.

The guara that I have is a pink variety known as Onagraceae Guara lindheimeri. This variety grows natively in the Texas Hill country. As the name implies, guara was first “discovered” by Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer. Lindheimer is known as the father of Texas botany. He worked as the first botanist in the state primarily between 1843 and 1852. Because of his extensive life-long work with plants, his name has now been assigned to 48 species and sub species of plants.

The delicate pink flowers of my guara

There are 20 species of guara that are native to the United States. This perennial can be found in Texas, Louisiana, and most of the Gulf South. Gaura is an upright growing plant that grows in clumps that can be 2’ to 4’ high and just as wide. The leaves are long and skinny with slightly serrated leaves. The plant produces long, thin stalks that are often red to burgundy in color. The inch long flowers have four petals and grow along these stems. The flowers can range in color from white to deep magenta and they drop after full bloom. Some varieties bloom white and then turn to pink in a single day. Many times, the flowers grow on the ends of the stems. When viewed from a distance, the flowers on the terminal ends of the stalks appear to be tiny butterflies “dancing” above the plant. This gives rise to its common name; Whirling Butterflies.

Guara is very easy to grow from transplants. Plant in early spring in full sun or partial shade. It prefers rich, well drained soil and it will tolerate alkaline conditions. It grows quickly and by early summer you will have a fairly large and attractive plant. By fall, your guara will be a large full clump of “Whirling Butterflies”.

Guara can reseed but it is not an aggressive self seeder. You can also divide guara once it has been established for several years. However, it develops a deep tap root and this can make transplanting a bit of a challenge.

A lovely white form at the Spoetzel Home in Schulenberg, Texas.

Gaura is an attractive long blooming perennial that is perfect for the Texas border. Its open, airy foliage is attractive even when not in bloom. It flowers prolifically from spring through fall and butterflies and humming birds love the small flowers. While it may not be the flashiest plant in the garden, it is tough and reliable. The way it has continued to thrive in spite of the worst drought in our history has convinced me to use more of this survivor in my beds. Why don’t you try some in yours?

Time to Mow the Bluebonnets

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Jay White

I’ve gotten a lot of querries about when to mow bluebonnets. Well, if you live in Washington County, Texas, the time is now. If you live somewhere other than Brenham, you can ldetermine when to mow them by looking at the seed pods of your bluebonnets. If most of the pods have opened and curled up, it is time to mow. Here are a couple of not so great pictures to illustrate what I am talking about:

Here is what a seed pod looks like before it shatters. Notice it is still green and the pod is closed.

In the following picture, note how the pod is opened and the sides have curled up. This curling of the pod helps to disperse the seeds. Sorry for the poor focus. Look closely and you can see the empty pod.

Bluebonnet season is here!!!

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Jay White

Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrushes in the Yupneck's yard. Photo by Ramez Antoun

“The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland.”

That quote from Jack Maguire comes closer to describing the way we Texans feel about our state flower than anything else I have ever read. The bluebonnet is as much a symbol of Texas as is the Alamo or the Texas flag. The bluebonnet was selected as our state flower in large part because it is uniquely Texan. The two most common varieties (Lupinis texensis and Lupinis subcarnosus) grow natively here and nowhere else. This plant is so well loved that each year, millions of Texans load up their cars with kids and camera equipment and head out into the country. I truly believe that no one in Texas has ever avoided being photographed in a field of bluebonnets.

A yupneck family picture in our bluebonnets

I am fortunate enough to live in one of the best bluebonnet counties in Texas. I live on two long, skinny, Washington county acres. Because of the shape of my property I have about 600’ of road frontage. My wife has worked very hard to ensure that every inch of that 600’ is covered in bluebonnets. I am pleased to say, she has succeeded! In fact, she has been so successful that we have actually come home and found complete strangers in our yard taking pictures.

The Farmall Cub that I bought to mow the dead bluebonnet foliage

While bluebonnets are definitely the most fabulous native flower ever created, they do have their problems. Unless you have ever grown bluebonnets you may not be aware of what happens after the blooms fade. Bluebonnet foliage can grow to about 2’ in height. After they set seed the foliage and the seed pods begin to dry out and die. This creates a very unattractive, “weedy” look in the yard. However, no matter how bad it looks, you cannot mow them until the seed pods “shatter” and release their seeds. Mow too soon and you will not have bluebonnets next year. This “weedy” appearance in the yard requires very patient and very understanding neighbors. Luckily for us, the people of Washington County are serious about their bluebonnets and no one would ever complain about our “seeding” bluebonnets (at least not to our faces). One the bright side, the dry bluebonnet clumps are so thick and hard they almost ruined our John Deere riding mower. So, in order to save the John Deere from the bluebonnets, my wife let me buy a 1946 Farmall cub with a shredder to handle this once a year job.

A slightly blurry but very cute picture of my wife in our bluebonnets

If you want some bluebonnets of your own, they are very easy to grow. Just throw some seeds out in your yard in October or November. Timing is everything. They must go out at this time if you want them in the spring. Bluebonnets have a relatively low germination rate. So, to increase your success rate, mow your grass very close to the ground before sowing. Once you have spread the seed, walk around on them and try and ensure that they have good contact with the soil. Water them in. After watering, you can forget about them until spring. Only apply supplemental water if you do not receive average fall and winter rainfall. Bluebonnets are very drought tolerant (they are a Texas native after all). Over watering will kill them quicker than anything.

This weekend, my wife and I found the first bluebonnet flower in our yard. Because of this, I am pleased to announce that Bluebonnet season is here again. It is time to enjoy some of the best weather and scenery that Texas has to offer. So, load up your kids, drive out in the country and make your kids endure the same spring rituals that your parents made you endure. They will thank you later.

P.S. Don’t go onto other people’s property without asking. If you do, you may get to experience another Texas tradition – shooting trespassers! Happy Spring Y’all!!!!

Texas Redbuds

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Jay White

Here in Central Texas, signs of spring start early. Daffodils and narcissus begin blooming in early January. By February, these bulbs have begun to fade and are replaced by the graceful Leucojum. By March, big green mounds of dark green foliage in yards and pastures remind us that Bluebonnet season will soon be upon us. Yet, in spite of all of these signs, I never really feel sure that spring has arrived until I see two things in my yard: purple martins and buds developing on my redbud trees.

This lovely redbud was captured by Bruce Leander at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Texas redbud (Cercis canadensis “texensis”) is probably the most loved ornamental native tree in Texas. The bright magenta flowers burst forth when most of the earth is still grey from winter. The flowers seem to appear over night. You can drive past the bare branches of a dormant redbud tree everyday and never notice it. Then, sometime around the first of March, the flowers arrive in all of their magenta glory. They are so bright and showy that I am always pleasantly shocked when I see the first redbud of spring.

Redbud in bloom by Bruce Leander

Redbuds are small deciduous trees with light grey bark covered in white spots. They are commonly multi-trunked and rarely exceed 25 feet in height. They flower in a variety of colors. In addition to the most common magenta, you can find varieties that bloom deep rose, pink, purple and even white. Redbud leaves have a very distinctive “heart” shape that is dark green and waxy on the top and lighter on the bottom. The tree produces a flat seed pod in late summer that is attractive to many birds and varmints. Technically an understory tree, they do well in full sun but do appreciate some afternoon shade. Their drought tolerance and adaptability to the alkaline soils of Central and South Texas make them an excellent choice for our yards and gardens.

Raindrops on redbud blooms by Bruce Leander

Like fruit trees, it is best to plant redbuds in late winter. If you are going to buy your tree from a nursery you might wait until early spring when they have bud development so you can be sure of the color you are getting. Once purchased, the redbud should be planted like all other balled or potted trees. Dig a hole about twice as wide and the same depth of the root ball. Back fill and tamp. Make sure and leave the plant high enough in the hole to keep the root collar exposed. Water in well and mulch with a 4” to 6” layer of compost.

The blooms of the redbud are a sure indicator that Spring is just around the corner! Photo by Bruce Leander

Last weekend, several purple martins began to set up house in my back yard. Seeing this, I immediately went and inspected my redbuds. Sure enough, they were covered in buds. Because of this, I am now pleased to announce that winter is officially over. Why not get in the car this weekend and enjoy the show provided by the redbuds? I promise, you will be glad you did!