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Hunting Texas Wildflowers (HTW-2006) contains 17 maps and detailed descriptions of over 75 wildflower routes and locations covering the Hill Country, East Central Texas, North Central Texas, and Southeast Texas.

Don't wander aimlessly searching for Texas wildflowers; get Hunting Texas Wildflowers and easily find them.

Will The 2010 Wildflower Season
 Be Repeat of 2007?

Based solely on the rainfall rates during the Fall and Winter, we are headed for at least a normal wildflower season with good signs of an above normal season given we get the rainfall and temperatures needed in February and March.

2009-2010 Rainfall Analysis
El Nino conditions that began in September of 2009 continue to persist and are expected to persist through the spring. El Nino conditions tend to result in normal to above normal rainfall in Texas. The key wildflower areas in the Hill Country, Ennis and Brenham regions experienced normal to above normal rainfall during the months of September 2009 through November 2009. This will likely result in more annual wildflower seedlings for early spring blooms. Annual wildflowers that bloom in early spring mainly germinate in the fall. Above normal rainfall in the fall will usually result in more wildflower seedlings. Only November produced rainfall totals that were slightly below normal levels in some areas. Based solely on rainfall amounts, there should be on average more wildflower seedlings for this spring wildflower season. Winter rainfall needed to sustain the seedlings so far has been normal or slightly below normal.

Brenham Area: Average displays in most spots with some spots above average displays. (B+ to A-)
Most of the key bluebonnet areas in Washington and Austin counties received normal to above normal rainfall September and October, but experienced below normal rainfall in the past 90 days. The amount of rainfall in the past 90 days should have been sufficient to sustain the bluebonnet rosettes might have not have encouraged deep root growth (hard to really tell this just from rainfall records). If the Brenham areas receives normal rainfall during Feb-Mar, we should see good displays in the usual areas given all other factors are in place.

Ennis Area: Normal to Above Normal Wildflower Season ( A- to A)
The Ennis area near Dallas also received well above normal rainfall in September and October, but the rainfall has been slightly below normal since then. Given the denser soil in the Ennis area, the excess rainfall does not always prove to be good for bluebonnets. I have seen this first hand. The key will be the amount of rainfall the area receives in Feb-Mar. Too much rainfall during time period could result in fungus growth in low lying areas which can wipe out bluebonnet plants. Still, based solely on the rainfall in the Fall, this area is on track for a good wildflower season.

Hill Country: Normal to Above Normal Wildflower Season  (A to A+)
Sep-Nov 2009 - Normal to well above normal rainfall. October rainfall was well above normal and November rainfall was normal to slightly below. Willow City Loop and Llano averaged higher rainfall than Mason county, but this difference may not be significant. I believe there was sufficient rainfall during the key germination periods to point toward a good crop of seedlings. I have had at least one report from San Saba county of good growth in healthy bluebonnet rosettes.


This is good news! What could go wrong?
This report is only dealing with the rainfall amounts as recorded by NOAA. Texas wildflowers are a hardy bunch and will usually persist through some of the worse conditions. However, certain factors need to come together to produce the brilliant and dazzling displays of wildflower beauty.


The key factors for a good wildflower season include:

  • Adequate rainfall and warm temperature in the fall to support good seed germination.
  • Sustaining rainfall in the winter to promote growth of healthy seedling root systems.
  • Warming temps and normal rainfall in the late winter (Feb-March) to encourage growth of plants and bloom stalks. Cooler temperatures in March will tend to delay the blooming period. Warming temperatures with good rainfall will tend to promote an early and longer season.
  • Less competing vegetation - Dead vegetation from previous seasons was burned away or removed. Native grasses prevail in the area with little or no invasive plant species.
  • Proper mowing - Grass mowed in late August and again in late January (but not too low to remove seedling rosettes). Mowing during the prime blooming months of Mar-May can literally kill a good wildflower display. Sadly, I have seen more of this in recent years.

Well for one thing, I can guarantee there will be some wildflowers blooming somewhere in Texas this year. If rainfall and temperatures approach normal levels in February and March then there will probably be some spectacular displays bluebonnets and other wildflower blooming.

If you spot any wildflowers blooming please report them in our forums (WildflowerHaven Community Forums) or submit a report at: Wildflower Report.

Please hunt wildflowers only with your camera.

Happy Hunting! - RichO

 

 

 

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