Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - February 12, 2009
From: Longmont, CO
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Growing Texas Bluebonnets in Colorado
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I bought bluebonnet seeds from your wildflower center last August when visited Austin. Being a Texas native, I want to enjoy bluebonnets here in Colorado. When do I plant my seeds outdoors? In the ground or in a container? Do I start them inside first? Thank you!ANSWER:
Your question is one we frequently receive and it's gratifying to know that Texans abiding for a time in other parts of the world miss and appreciate our beloved state flower. Unfortunately, your desire goes right to the heart of our mission and sorely wounds it! Please don't feel bad, though; we know your intentions are noble and they are completely understandable. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's mission is based on encouraging the use and appreciation of locally native plant species. Since Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet) is not native to Colorado we would fail in our mission if we didn't bring this issue to your attention. However, we will try to help as best we can.
If you wish to grow Texas bluebonnet in Colorado we would highly recommend sowing your seeds in containers. Lupinus texensis is a winter annual. That is, it is a plant that germinates in the fall, forms a rosette during the winter months and then flowers in the spring. Colorado winters are probably much too harsh to successfully grow Texas bluebonnets as a garden plants.
In Texas, nature sows the seeds of Lupinus texensis in May or early June, about 30 to 45 days after flowering. Texas bluebonnet seedcoats are extremely hard and are, at first, impermeable to water. After a few months of settling into the soil, the seedcoats soften and the seeds germinate and begin to grow. People, by nature, like to do things their own way, so they usually wait until fall, soak their bluebonnet seeds in water overnight and sow the next day. Lightly scratching the seeds into the soil will help to ensure good contact between the seeds and the soil. Do not sow your Texas bluebonnet seeds too deep.
Bluebonnets grow well in flower pots and other containers. They respond well to added nitrogen after the plant rosettes are established. You can sow your bluebonnet seeds in containers any time from May until October. However, the young, developing plants will need winter cold protection and plenty of direct sunlight to perfom well.
Alternatively, we would encourage you to try growing some of your Colorado lupines. Among the many species native there are: Lupinus argenteus (silvery lupine), Lupinus bakeri ssp. amplus (Baker's lupine), Lupinus caespitosus (stemless dwarf lupine), Lupinus caudatus (tailcup lupine), Lupinus plattensis (Nebraska lupine), Lupinus pusillus (rusty lupine), Lupinus sericeus (silky lupine) and Lupinus wyethii (Wyeth's lupine).
Finally, we recommend taking some time to read some of the How-to articles in NPIN, including a few specifically about growing Texas bluebonnets.
More Wildflowers Questions
Native flowers for cutting for wedding in June
January 25, 2009 - My husband and I are hosting a wedding reception for our daughter and her husband in Austin in June. If possible, we would like to use live flowers or live colorful plants as centerpieces and decorat...
view the full question and answer
Wildflower Garden for a June wedding in Pepper Pike OH
February 24, 2013 - Greetings, We have a grand idea to plant a wildflower garden for an outdoor wedding in June. Located in Pepper Pike, Ohio at the home of the groom. They have a large property and we wondered what woul...
view the full question and answer
More on bluebonnets
April 05, 2006 - Hello:
We have been told that the sparse Bluebonnet
appearance this Spring is due to sparse rainfall at the
appropriate times. Were there fewer seeds to sprout
and grow? Or are the seeds still ...
view the full question and answer
Native grass and wildflower possibilities for Weatherford, TX
July 04, 2006 - I live in Weatherford, Texas - 20 acres and would love to have a prairie or soft cover throughout the year (less mowing). What do you recommend? I don't know anything about this ... So, feel free to ...
view the full question and answer
Illegal to pick wildflowers
March 14, 2004 - Is it illegal to pick wildflowers?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |