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The article, "Saving Native Texans" in "County" a publication of the Texas Association of Counties is a good read for those who are concerned that we might be losing those beautiful wildflower views along our county roads.
http://www.county.org/resources/library/county_mag/pdf/V18N2.pdf
(see pages 26-29, "Saving Native Texans" by Maria Sprow)
A combination of planting non-native species and aggressive mowing could result in the wholesale extinction of wildflowers along many county roads.
Proper planting of native species along with correct mowing at the right times of the year can result in a balance of "the wild" and the beautiful along our county roads.
As urban sprawl creeps further out into our virgin Texas landscape, too often the county roadsides begin to look more like well manicured lawns. Miles and miles of beautiful multi-color displays of wildflowers are being replaced by one to two inch tall cut grass.
Certainly tall vegetation that poses a road hazard needs to be cut back, but not to a one to two inch height. Dry roadside vegetation in late summer should be cut back to help improve growth of new plants and improve water contact with the soil, but everyone knows that if you continually cut the grass too short you will eventually ruin even the grass.
Is this happening? YES! In just the past 30 days, I have seen large areas along some of the prettiest wildflower covered county roadsides scalped down to the ground by mowers.
To me it is a value judgment. Do we value the more "natural wildflower look" or the "manicured lawn look?" Apparently, many of us enjoy touring the backroads of Texas to view and experience the beautiful wildflowers. In 10 to 20 years, will we still be able to find wildflowers along our favorite county roads or just miles and miles of "country club" looking grass?
RichO
Hunting Texas Wildflowers
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