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
Wednesday - May 27, 2015
From: Dallas, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seeds and Seeding, Wildflowers
Title: Seedball Germination in Dallas, TX
Answered by: Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Last Fall we created thousands of seedballs with Lady Bird's wildflower seed mixture, compost and clay, and planted them along a bike trail in Dallas, Texas. We are so disappointed because nothing has bloomed (it is May 1!). Two questions: (1) why no luck; and (2) is there any hope that the seeds might germinate in future years if they didn't this year?ANSWER:
It’s a bit disheartening that you’ve got no blooms yet, but it’s quite possible. Consider the normal pattern of wildflowers blooming, seeding and then those seeds germinating and starting the process over again the next year.
Our lovely wildflowers bloom in the spring and distribute seed in the late spring to early summer. Those seeds will rest over the summer and germinate in the winter to early spring to flower and set seed again in the spring. Your seeds, distributed in the fall, didn’t have the summer & fall to prepare for germination. That might be enough by itself. In addition, What were the weather conditions last fall? The kind of drought we had been seeing also would serve to discourage germination.
The good news? The seed is likely still there. They are prepared to wait for the best conditions for germination. When we have a good winter/spring they should be ready to go for it!
From the Image Gallery
More Seeds and Seeding Questions
Annual Native Plants for Interplanting in Iowa
January 20, 2015 - I'm looking for suggestions for annuals that will flower from seed or from spring plants. I want to use them to fill in the space around newly planted coneflowers and asters that I fear will look spa...
view the full question and answer
Why so many Sugar Hackberry seedlings in my back yard in The Woodlands, TX?
May 25, 2013 - Why do I have so many Sugar Hackberry seedlings (Celtis Laevigata) sprouting up naturally in my back yard? There are a few Winged Elms in my neighborhood, but no Sugar Hackberry trees that I know of....
view the full question and answer
What does the seed for Tiquilia greggii look like?
December 01, 2014 - What does the seed for Tiquilia greggii look like? Do you have a picture?
view the full question and answer
Male pollinator to produce berries on Juniperus virginiana from Amston CT
November 08, 2012 - We have planted 3 juniperus virginiana 'Glauca' (on our Connecticut property) that have a few blue berries on them. Will they need a male pollinator to make berries? We do not have other juniperus...
view the full question and answer
Seeding Bluebonnets in Missouri
July 07, 2016 - I live in St. Louis, MO and obtained a packet of Bluebonnet seeds as well as a seedling. I read up on inoculating and scarifying the seeds, but I'm unsure as to the soil I should use. I was planning ...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |