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
Not Yet Rated

Sunday - August 23, 2009

From: The Woodlands, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Source for maroon bluebonnets in The Woodlands, TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Please tell me where I can purchase maroon bonnets, seeds or the plant, near College Station or The Woodlands, Texas.

ANSWER:

The maroon bluebonnet is still Lupinus texensis (Texas bluebonnet). "Bluebonnet" is the official name of the flower, and the color differentiations are the result of finding and propagating plants which had taken on different colors. More information on Texas Bluebonnet-Texas Pride is found on this website from Texas A&M Extension. 

You are probably going to have to go to mail order for these seeds, and we found two sources. When you plant them, be aware that some of the seeds are going to revert to the blue or purple color that is native. Remove these from the field where you are growing the maroon bonnets immediately, in order to prevent cross-breeding which can quickly change the desired color characteristics. All of the sites we found for ordering seeds have information on time of planting, etc. 

Texas Bluebonnet Seed Company

Wildseed Farms

From our Native Plant Image Gallery


Lupinus texensis

Lupinus texensis

Lupinus texensis

 

 

More Seed and Plant Sources Questions

Where to find nursery type containers in Austin TX
July 10, 2015 - Where in Austin TX can I purchase nursery type containers to transplant my seedling
view the full question and answer

Source for supplier of cedar plants in Pennsylvania
January 20, 2009 - Mr. Smarty Pants - please disregard a stupid question I asked a little earlier today about sourcing cedar plants near Easton, PA. I figured out looking up "Nurseries" could lead to Yellow Pages ent...
view the full question and answer

Native Suppliers Directory
October 27, 2008 - we are a wholesale wetland plants nursery.we'd like to be added to your wetland plant suppliers list. thank you tammy sons tn nursery 12845 state rt 108 altamont tn 37301 931-692-4252 www.wetl...
view the full question and answer

Indian paintbrush wedding
October 20, 2004 - I live in western Montana and have become quite fond of the flower known as indian paintbrush. I will be getting married this next July, and would like to incorporate the flower into my wedding; Howe...
view the full question and answer

Best sod for a yard in Elgin, TX?
November 05, 2009 - First time home buyer and the back yard will need to be sodded. What is an honest price range for this service for 213 sq.yds.? The site is in blackland prairie soil. What type grass is best suited ...
view the full question and answer

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