Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

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.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Sunday - March 11, 2007

From: Copper Canyon, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Planting time for wildflower seeds in Denton Co., TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I live in Denton county, Texas and I purchased 2 lbs of native texas wildflower seed from the local agr. extension. Is it too late to plant now and expect flowers from my seed ? Should I plant anyway to get a head start on next spring?

ANSWER:

Generally, the best time to sow seeds is when they would naturally be dispersed—late summer and early fall for most Texas species. However, you might be able get some of the wildflowers up and blooming this year. It is possible that the perennials plants will establish themselves and bloom next year. The annuals that bloom later in the spring and summer do have a good chance. However, early blooming annuals probably aren't going to bloom for you, and, without blossoms to make seeds, these plants won't reappear next year.

You might also find several of our How to Articles (e.g., Wildflower Meadow Gardening and Large Scale Wildflower Planting) helpful when you sow your wildflower seeds.

 

More Wildflowers Questions

When to plant wildflower spring mix seeds in Ashburn VA
March 15, 2011 - I just bought wildflower springmix and want to know when to plant them, is there a specific temperature?
view the full question and answer

Plant Identification from Decatur GA
June 14, 2012 - Hi: In early May 2012 we visited the Center--fantastic. There was a large shrub/tree with yellow blooms near a silo. Is it Retama? Also there was a lot of a purple blooming plant in with the conef...
view the full question and answer

Growing Texas bluebonnets in North Carolina
March 11, 2008 - I live in North Carolina and love the Texas Bluebonnets. Can I create my own mix of soil to be able to grow them here? Soil is basically red clay and icky.
view the full question and answer

Planters for wildflower exhibit in Jemez Springs NM
November 28, 2010 - I am planning to have a wildflower/pollinator exhibit at a visitor center located on a high elevation grassland (no trees). I would like advice on the size of the planter boxes.The area is located at...
view the full question and answer

Wildflowers for NY that bloom in the first season
May 17, 2010 - Hi, I'm looking for native annuals that germinate the same season they're planted. There are many northeast native annuals but most of them require a season of frost to germinate the following sprin...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.