TX Spring Wildflowers Predicted To Shine Bright Post Winter Storm

TEXAS — Texas Spring wildflowers are predicted to have a good season this year despite the winter storm impacting many plants in February, officials said.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced Monday Texans can expect to see a flourish of trout lilies, butter cups, many mustards, Dakota vervain, four-nerve daisy, spring beauty, violets, Texas rainbow cactus, fishhook barrel cactus, Texas mountain laurel flowers, among many others this spring.

“Recent Texas flora Facebook posts, and photos from native plant enthusiasts, that I received during the winter storm included blooming bluebonnets covered in ice in central Texas,” said Jason Singhurst, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) botanist. "If we can get some steady rain in the coming weeks and temperatures stay in mid-80’s or below through April, it should be a great Texas bluebonnet spring.”

Singhurst said he anticipates that this spring will allow for a very promising wildflower season in the Big Bend and far west Texas region.

Previous years have had extremely dry winters, but this season will likely be "more colorful due to increased wet weather over this winter," he said.

In central Texas, Singhurst anticipates that residents will see many vegetative bluebonnets, Engelmann’s daisy, Blackfoot daisy, Drummond’s skullcap, Lindheimer’s paintbrush, Missouri primrose, prairie fleabane, and many others.

Late winter annuals and perennials lead the 2021 flora parade along Texas highways and state lands within the state's diverse ecoregions and vernal landscapes.

The park's department said Texas bluebonnets typically peak at the end of March through mid-April. Bluebonnets often start blooming near Interstate 10 between San Antonio and Houston and then farther north toward the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

The native range of Texas bluebonnets is primarily the Hill Country and Blackland Prairie Ecoregions, officials said.