Wild About Texas – February, 2009

Snow-on-the-mountain (Euphorbia marginata). Photo by Joe Marcus.

It’s Not Too Late!
Sow Now for Summer Blooms
 
When we think about growing wildflowers, we typically plan to sow seeds in autumn for spring flowers. Yes, it is too late to start Texas bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush for this spring; however, it is just the right time to throw out seed for summer and fall wildflowers. As the weather warms, the seeds will germinate and continue to grow, giving us cheerful color later in the season. Methods for sowing now are the same as for spring: seeds need good soil contact, water (irrigate if necessary to ensure a good show), and, for the most part, full sun.

Prairie agalinis (Agalinis heterophylla). Photo by Melody Lytle.

Clammyweed (Polanisia dodecandra). Photo by Paul Cox.

 

Here are a few easy late-season wildflowers to try now. Click the link for detailed information on each species, including photographs:

Prairie agalinis (Agalinis heterophylla)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=AGHE4

Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasiculata)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CHFA2

Goldenwave (Coreopsis basalis) or (Coreopsis tinctoria)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COBA2
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COTI3

Eryngo (Eryngium leavanworthii)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ERLE11

Snow-on-the-mountain (Euphorbia marginata)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=EUMA8

Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GAPU

Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEAN3

Tahoka daisy (Machaeranthera tanacetifolia)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MATA2

Clammyweed (Polanisia dodecandra)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PODO3

Scarlet sage, tropical sage (Salvia coccinea)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SACO5

Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Photo by Robert C. Duncan.

Eryngo (Eryngium leavanworthii). Photo by Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller.

For more information about Texas native plants, visit the Wildflower Center’s website at: www.wildflower.org.

About the author:  Andrea DeLong-Amaya is the director of horticulture at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.