Many things give Texans a sentiency of state pridefulness , and Texas wildflowers are chief among them . Just postulate the thousands of families perched on hillsides in early bounce to enamour picture among the breathless Texas bluebonnets . We enjoy our wildflowers so much that Texas schoolchildren even expend several workweek studying Texas wild flower alone . I know I certainly did !
memorize how to bring home the magic of Texas wildflowers and create a wild flower patch of your own with these helpful tip and recommendations .
Why Plant Wildflowers
According to theLadybird Johnson Wildflower Center , of the 5,000 or so species of native plants in Texas , approximately 2,700 species can be considered wildflower . Not only are wildflower beautiful , but they play a decisive part in thriving ecosystem .
Wildflowers are important because they :
How and When to Plant Wildflowers
In North Texas , wildflowers should be started by seed in September so that they can ground themselves through the cooler months for spring and summer blooms .
Where to plant
The idealistic land site for wildflowers is an assailable hayfield with 50 - 80 % aboriginal dope . In a backyard , the idealistic site would be a side yard or an area that does n’t have survive greensward . ( Grasses like Bermuda and St. Augustine will quickly choke out wild flower . )
If you have an existing turf area that you ’d like to commute , consider remove the turf completely and replacing with a aboriginal grass like Buffalo , sideoats grama , or Lindheimer ’s muhly to create a wildflower habitat .
If you have an existing area with native grass , mow the area to 6 - 8 inch before spreading seed .
How to plant
Wildflower seeds can be dispel across the hope area . The soft fashion to do this is to mix one - part seed with four - function fine sand and strewing by hand .
Once seed are dissipate it ’s very authoritative to make certain that the seeds have safe physical contact with the soil by raking them in , tamping them down , or walk across the area . Keep the surface area moist for several day after planting unless rainfall is expected .
Wildflower Care
Most wildflower seed admixture are a blending of annual and perennial plant . The annual will germinate quickly and flower within the first year , but the perennials may take up to three eld to flower .
If pout of the domain is necessary , await until late fall after the late - blooming species finish blossoming and set seed . It is vital that the annuals are reserve to successfully re - ejaculate so that plants repay the following class .
Never mop the area shorter than 6″. It is best to mow using a scythe , hand - trimmer , orweedwhacker . Always leave the clippings behind so that seeds remain in the domain .
In the second yr , another strewing of seeds may be necessary if particular wildflowers fail to return .
Popular Wildflowers for North Texas
The idealistic blend of seeds for a yr - long wildflower show in your North Texas garden . commixture includes Texas Bluebonnet , Annual Phlox , spear - pull up stakes Coreopsis , Purple Coneflower , Indian Blanket , Scarlet Sage , Butterfly Flower , Purple Prairie Clover , Standing Cypress , Clasping Coneflower , Lemon Mint , Dwarf Red Coneflower , and Showy Evening Primrose .
