April 13, 2025
The wildflower reporters I follow — and my own eyes — say this is a poor year for Texas bluebonnets and other spring wildflowers, especially from Austin west into the Hill Country. Our ongoing drought kept seedlings from germinating last fall, and there hasn’t been much rain this spring to nudge stragglers into bloom. But east of Austin, the picture is brighter thanks to better rainfall.
So when Lisa Negri of SummerHome Garden in Denver came to visit last week (here to give a Garden Spark talk) and told me she’d never seen bluebonnets, I made it my mission to find us some blue. And we did!
For our wildflower safari last Thursday, we drove east to Giddings and then meandered along two-lane farm-to-market roads between Giddings and Independence. A blue haze in the distance finally hinted at what was ahead — a field of bluebonnets!
The sun was too high for good photos (take an early morning or late afternoon drive for best photography), but our eyes were not disappointed.
I was happy to see Lisa’s delight in the flowery meadows we found. It never gets old for me either, hitting the jackpot of a bluebonnet field.
No complaints about a pink field of evening primrose either!
Look at those beauties.
One more — so good with a backdrop of green farm country.
We found a few multi-colored fields too, with bluebonnets, red Indian paintbrush, and yellow coreopsis.
I was stumped by this solitary white flower, but a Google search later ID’d it as Texas bullnettle. Not one you want to touch because of stinging hairs. Is anyone surprised to learn a Texas wildflower can sting you? Not me. Join the fire-ant crowd, bullnettle.
Scissor-tailed flycatcher is one of my favorite birds to see in farm country, where it swoops over fields in aerial stunts enabled by its long, forked tail.
Bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush
A lower view
Live oaks in the background complete the Central Texas imagery. Well, no — there’s something missing.
Here you go — a Texas longhorn!
We ended our wildflower hunt at Old Baylor Park in Independence.
Paintbrush and coreopsis were layered across a small field.
A few bluebonnets too
A satin ribbon of pink-flowering grass as well
A solitary Indian paintbrush in ivory and green was a curious find.
Last look
The Antique Rose Emporium
We stopped at the Antique Rose Emporium in Independence before heading to lunch in Brenham. I always admire their display gardens, including this massive arch of braided terracotta pots.
Poppies were popping throughout the gardens.
A planted-up chest of drawers and watering can made a charming welcome on a porch.
And of course the roses were having a party, with more bluebonnets joining in the fun.
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Digging Deeper
Shop the Spring Native Plant Sale at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center each weekend through April 27, 9 am to 1 pm (last entry at 12:30 pm). Plant sale admission is free. Bring your own wagon or cart to transport your treasures.
Tour 5 unique Houston gardens on Saturday, April 26, from 10 am to 4 pm, during the Garden Conservancy’s Open Day Tour for Houston. Tickets must be purchased online in advance through the Garden Conservancy.
Come learn about gardening and design at Garden Spark! I organize in-person talks by inspiring designers, landscape architects, authors, and gardeners a few times a year in Austin. These are limited-attendance events that sell out quickly, so join the Garden Spark email list to be notified in advance; simply click this link and ask to be added. Read all about the Season 8 lineup here!
All material © 2025 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
