Wildflower Etiquette
We really want to share the beauty of the wildflowers in Washington County, so here are some tips to keep visitors safe as well as minimize the impact of so many travelers on our colorful fields:
-Respect private property. There are plenty of public places to take pictures.
-Do not cross fences (see above). Take the photo from the road side of the fence.
-Follow the trail left by those before you.
-Sit among the flowers in the places that have already been used as a seat.
-Try to step between the bluebonnets if there is no trail.
-Don’t pick the bluebonnets. We need them to go to seed for future wildflower seasons!
-Be alert—fire ants, snakes, and poison ivy are all likely to thrive in the same places as the bluebonnets.
-Use caution on roadsides. If there is not an adequate shoulder, continue to a safe place.
-Please don’t leave trash behind; if you find any, pay it forward by taking it with you when you leave.
Common sense and common courtesy are key to an enjoyable wildflower season for all. Thank you for visiting Brenham/Washington County! We look forward to sharing our bluebonnets for many generations to come.
I would add to the wildflower etiquette that taking pictures of wildflowers is fun and enjoyable. However, as someone who lives along the viewing route it seems disrespectful (and unnerving) for someone to take pictures of people on their horses or working in their barns and pastures. It feels not only rude but actually creepy to the people that are being photographed. If someone wants those kinds of pictures they’ll find that most people don’t mind if you politely ask first. Enjoy the season!
It looks like bluebonnets are really early this year. We saw a lot yesterday on the drive from Houston to z Brenham and back. Is it peak time I the next week or two? Please advise. Thanks
Donna Klare
They do seem to be popping up a smidge earlier than normal! Sometimes we have found that bluebonnet patches will seemingly have two blooms – an early one and then another immediately after it. Interesting! You are correct – there’s lots of patches in the medians of the highways in our area but the bigger, more impressive (and safe) fields haven’t shown as much early activity. We think with our forecast of sunny warm weather for the next couple of weeks – peak should be around two weeks from now.
My 2.2 acres of bluebonnets are not all the way popped out yet & it’s April 3, 2023. We live in Ellis County south of Waxahachie & Italy. My patch finally bloomed big after the rain we thankfully got on April 2. It’s about 75% blooming. We had the rain in October, which is a grand predictor of the spring show. My patch started with 8 plants I bought at Dallas Farmer’s Market & transplanted in 1985. I now have several hundred thousands! I’ve never counted them but I know it would be close to a million! The secret is: don’t fertilize them; your cows won’t eat them; don’t mow until after June 1st. Mowing is the perfect scattering for next year’s crop. My husband, a farmer, and I have “The Bluebonnet War” yearly. He wants to mow them too early & I have to put my foot down and say no, not until June 1st. He says other farmers are laughing at him for growing weeds; I ask him if wants me cook supper or he can go to Sonic in Italy. I win.