Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Wildflower Update

Blue-
bonnets? No, not blooming yet. This is a picture from last year. I was really worried about my wildflowers making it through those cold days we had this winter. If you will remember I even called the Wildseed Farm and asked them about covering the plants--and they said "yes!" But I am pleased to report, the Bluebonnet rosettes are alive and well!
In fact, they are not only alive, they look wonderful. I planted some in the back corner bed, but my concen-
tration this year was the bed around the new tree. (The new tree? I think it's still alive, but that's another post!) They not only survived the cold, the rain, and the snow-they seem to flourish. The bed is almost full of bonnets.
And, they are so lush. I am so excited! And this is the case, not only in my little garden, but across the state of Texas. According to the reports from the newspaper: " Wildflower experts say the upcoming bloom should be exceptional thanks to the heavy rains.. Expect oceans of blue flowers..It's going to be a spectucular year..The spring show will be the best since 2007.." And for other wildflowers: "That stretch of dry weather helped kill off grasses and weeds and other plants, creating more space for wildflowers." I was worried about the snow, but "The snow helped insulate the plants, while the temperatures were not cold enough to threaten the flowers." Bluebonnets are even starting to bloom around Houston! Wow! This is such exciting news for wildflower enthusiest like myself.
I noticed that some of my other wildflowers are starting to produce green as well. This is the Autumn Blush Coreopsis that I fell in love with last year. Not sure about the name as it bloomed all summer.
I don't remember which coreopsis this is, maybe moonbeam, but I just noticed it coming up among the tulips and daffodils.
I need help identifying this plant please. Several of these are growing around the new tree in with the bluebonnets I thought it kind of looked like a columbine. But then I remembered; I planted winecup seeds in the fall. This isn't where I planted them, but you know wildflower seeds are..well..wild. Could this be winecup? They are probably invasive, but right now I am just happy to have the promise of blooms.


Such excitement! Happy March everyone!

17 comments:

misterreereeder said...

Fantastic!! I love blue bonnets as well as other native Texas wild flowers. Looking forward to the blooms.

Lola said...

I don't know the name of your plant but it looks like a weed we have here. I don't know the name of it either. Just got done today pulling them out of my whiskey barrels.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Thanks MR. I hope the bonnets bloom like crazy!! :)

It looks like a weed we have here too. You know what they say: "May all your weeds be wildflowers!" lol--they probably are weeds, but I am going to wait and see what they do before I pull them, just in case! :)

JenningsJunk said...

EXCITING!! I need to check with mom and see if her blue bonnets are coming in. I know she and my oldest son have already made a run to the local nursery to figuring out what they'll be planting, etc.

Meadowview Thymes said...

JJ--I bet your Mom has rossetes too. She always has such pretty flowers.
I don't what else I will be growing this year, but I can't wait to go shopping!

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Oh that is great news! WE are getting a ton of rain and its been wonderful!!!! yay!!!! We have things growing like crazy here too!!!!! I yrhink this is going to be the best year for my iris too!
I am guessing that plant looks like a wild geranium! I would wait ti see what the flower looks like when it blooms just to be sure(-:

Pam/Digging said...

That last picture does look like winecup.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Cindee, El Nino is creating all the weather so they say..and I hear it's not moving-at least not soon. I can't wait to see all the beautiful things spring is going to bring us. Hope your finger is healing!

Pam--I thought you or Cindy (Katy) might be able to identify the plant. I hope that's what it is. I think it has pretty, low blooms that will be perfect for my yard.
Thanks!

Susie said...

I'm so glad your bluebonnets have survived and even thrived during your cold winter. Not much happening in my yard yet. Just brown and blah.

That unknown plant looks like a weed I had last year. It was everywhere.

tina said...

Awesome! Sadly my seeds have not sprouted:( I agree with Cindee in that your mystery plant is a geranium. They are prolific self seeders if it is a wild one. You can tell when it blooms. Looks like a cranesbill and has a pointed flower. Usually blue but can vary.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Hi Susie. It's really exciting to see things start back up this time of year. If the temps could just get warmer and the sun shine, we would have buds and blooms in no time. Hurry spring!! :)

Tina, now I can't wait to see what this flower turns out to be. I never thought of a wild geranium. I will post pictures when it blooms so we can decide for sure.

Anonymous said...

I am quite envious, as the photos of bluebonnets look so beautiful, and I've never seen them. Sure wish they'd grow here! Be sure to share lots of pix with us.

Meadowview Thymes said...

MsRobin--you can count on those pictures! My little patch of bonnets don't compare to what I envision the roadsides to look like this spring. "Oceans of blue" will probably be a good way to describe them.
You may not have bluebonnets, but I bet you have other Lupines. I see them in the mountains in Colorado when we go camping in summer.

Nola said...

I am blue with envy! I was happy with my meager little patch until I saw yours! They are so lush! You save that seed girl, you should have bb's for the rest of your life.
Sorry, but I think that last photo is a weed, I have lots of it in my beds. If someone identifies it for sure, let me know!

Meadowview Thymes said...

Just hope the bonnets bloom Nola! And oh the show you will have in Ennis! I hope I get a chance to drive down there one weekend.
Yeah..it maybe a weed, but just in case, I am going to wait and see. The shape of the leaves looks like winecup according to my wildflower book...so..just in case... :)

Brenda Pruitt said...

I've been looking for bluebonnets this year, as my garden is totally different and they probably have rocks where I had them last year. Haven't found any yet. That plant reminds me of an herb or parsley or something.
Brenda

Meadowview Thymes said...

Brenda, I hope this plant is a wine cup. It sure looks like the picture, but if not, I'll just pull it up. I bet the garden centers will have some bluebonnets, but it may be later in spring. I found some one time at Lowes.