2008 Texas Wildflower Sightings Report

April 14 , 2008

Hill Country (Rating 2 / 10)

Recent rain has encouraged new blooms of wildflowers in the Hill Country. If you aren't looking for bluebonnets, that is. Bluebonnets germinate in the fall, so recent rains have not benefited them, however, several other wildflowers have begun to show in moderate numbers. Pink evening primrose and purple verbena were the most prevalent, signifcant numbers were seen along 183A north of FM1431, and along Hwy 29 between Seward Junction and Burnet.

Brazos Valley / Brenham Area (Rating 4 / 10)

Reports continue to be good from the area around Brenham, Hempstead, Industry, Chappel Hill, LaGrange, Fayetteville and Schulenberg. However, even though there are moderate numbers of wildflowers this year, if you have visited these areas in better years you may be disappointed. You may see some fields of wildflowers, but not the extensive coverage and number of areas as in past years, especially if compared to 2007.

April 5 , 2008

Hill Country (Rating 1 / 10)

A dry fall in 2007 has translated into a very poor showing for wildflowers in the Hill Country. Don't look for the massive displays of wildflowers that were common during the spring of 2007. Conditions are not as poor and dry as several weeks ago, and things are beginning to turn green, but wildflowers are very sparse. Rains have picked up over the last several weeks and if they continue, late spring/early summer wildflowers such as coreopsis, firewheels and horsemint, may fare better. Reports from the Willow City loop are disappointing, hardly any bluebonnets at all.

• FM 1431 from Cedar Park to Jonestown to Marble Falls to Kingsland to Hwy 29 - virtually no bluebonnets at all, only a few small patches along the road
• Hwy 281 north of Marble Falls - very few bluebonnets on sides of road; famous stone barn just north of Marble Falls has no bluebonnets this year
• Old Spanish Trail (just west of the junction of Hwy 29 & FM 1431) - usually covered in paintbrush, this area has so few you could count them; some large patches of yellow bladderpod, however
• Inks Lake State Park - very few wildflowers, bluebonnets are uncommon; saw a few paintbrush and rain lilies
• Hwy 29 from Inks Lake to Burnet to Bertram to Seward Juntion (Hwy 183) - some bluebonnets and other wildflowers, but not many

Brazos Valley / Brenham Area (Rating 4 / 10)

This area received better rains last fall and there is what I would judge to be a nearly average year for wildflowers. Paintbrush seem to be more common than last year, but bluebonnets are blooming in far fewer numbers compared to 2007.

March 26 , 2008

Annual Wildflowers are Here

Recent rains and warm temperatures have prodded the annual wildflowers in to bloom in the Austin area. I have spotted bluebonnets, tickseed, spiderwort, paintbrush, evening primrose and Engelmann daisies around the Austin area. Look for bluebonnets along IH 35 and Mopac; they are in early bloom. Unfortunately, the bluebonnets are on the sparse side this year due to below normal rain.

Decent reports are coming in from Washington county and the Brenham and Bellville area. Also many reports have been trickling in from the Houston area as well. Stay tuned for more detailed reports in the coming weeks as the bloom continues toward peak.

Also, wildflower reports from Arizona indicate that areas are having a once in a lifetime bloom of desert wildflowers. Visit DesertUSA for reports and some spectacular photos. Might be worth a trip.

March 22 , 2008

Spring Has Officially Begun

Recent rains have made a big difference in the Austin area. Greens are replacing the browns of winter. Trees are in full bloom and include red buds, Mexican plum, mountain laurels, and many other non-native species. Annual wildflowers are beginning to pop up here and there, but in general it is still too early to see very many.

I drove through the Hill Country on March 16 on the way to New Mexico, and unfortunately it was extremely dry and there were virtually no signs of wildflowers. Tall dry grass is predominant throughout the Hill Country left over from the abnormally wet summer of last year. It is likely that many of the wildflowers will be blocked from view when they finally start to bloom. Due to the dry conditions, however, it doesn't seem likely that there will be much to see in the Hill Country this year.

There are scattered reports from the Brenham area that paintbrush are starting to show and even some bluebonnets. This area has had the most rainfall and shows the best promise for wildflowers this year.

March 8 , 2008

Spring has Begun

Redbud trees and Mountain Laurels are now in full bloom in the Austin area. Mexican plums are beginning to bloom as well. The trees are always the first to bloom in Central Texas. The landscape has begun to turn green, and I expect to see the annual wildflowers beginning to bloom in about 2-3 weeks. Don't expect more than an average showing this year, the rainfall has been well below normal, and the outlook is for continued less than average rainfall for the first half of the year. Best rainfall has been around the Brenham area.

Meanwhile, reports from the desert southwest (California and Arizona) continue to show an above average wildflower bloom due to abundant fall and winter rains. Visit DesertUSA for reports and some spectacular pictures. Might be worth a trip out west.

February 26 , 2008

Early Signs of Spring

Redbud trees and Mountain Laurels are just starting to bloom in some areas around Austin. These trees are always the first to bloom and herald the beginning of spring. Unfortunately, little rain during the fall and early this year will likely mean a less than average display for the Hill Country. Areas east of Austin and west of Houston, however, have received at least average rainfall and hold more promise.

Meanwhile, reports from the desert southwest (California and Arizona) are that there is an above average wildflower bloom in some areas due to abundant fall and winter rains. Visit DesertUSA for reports and pictures.

January 20 , 2008

Season Outlook

After an unusually wet beginning to 2007, the fall and winter have been generally dry, with below normal rainfall. Long range predictions are for continued dry weather which will mean less than optimal conditions for wildflowers.

The most rainfall during the fall occured in the Brazos Valley area, with the least rainfall in the Hill County. Rain over the next few months will make or break this wildflower season. Stay tuned for further updates.

Other Wildflower Reports:

Wild About Texas Wildflowers - includes user-submitted reports of wildflower viewing areas and conditions

Wildflower Haven - wildflower reports, maps and other useful information

TxDOT Wildflower Hotline - wildflower reports and maps from the Texas Dept of Transportation

Big Bend Report - wildflower conditions from DesertUSA