Texas Superstar bluebonnets
White, red, pink
colored bluebonnets are natural, not created by man
September 23, 2004
VICKIE HOPKINS
Victoria County Master Gardeners
Previously written articles in this column concerning
various Texas Superstars have explained how they are heat tolerant, drought-
and disease-resistant as well as being low maintenance. Plants and trees are
field-tested for several years across the state by
The Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis), found growing in the pastures when our state was
first explored, is named for the petals' resemblance to the sunbonnets worn by
Needless to say, a field of blue radiating from these
flowers is a remarkable recurrence each spring. It was in the 1980s, however,
that Carrol Abbot, a
Photos courtesy of Texas Cooperative Extension and
Bluebonnet Gallery, Jerry M Parsons, PhD., specialist and professor of
Horticulture, Texas A&M University
These additional colors of the state flower were not
genetically created by man; rather, they have existed for as long as
bluebonnets have bloomed. They were simply isolated, purified, and grown in
large numbers. If you find seed sources and plant some of these various colored
bluebonnets, the new color strains are not 100 percent pure and will occasionally
show up as the most recognizable blue-lavender bluebonnet suggestive of the
pioneer woman's bonnet.
Have you ever planted bluebonnet seeds and wondered why so
few, if any, came up? ... or whether you simply missed
the prime time in sowing the seeds? Read on for information.
September and October are the best times to start cold hardy
annuals such as bluebonnets. The warmth of our
Understanding a little about the seed coat will take the
mystery out of germinating these timeless beauties. The seed is composed of a
hard structure, which inhibits moisture being absorbed. Since our weather
varies so much from year to year, nature knows precisely how large a crop to
produce. In nature, there will be roughly 20 percent germination at best. This
insures species survival. A severe drought could deplete our seed supply in one
year if not for the inhibiting factors embedded in the seed.
And thanks to agricultural science, we can germinate faster
and bring a larger seed supply to the public. Scarification is the key to
creating this new multimillion-dollar market. By removing the inhibiting
properties of the seed coat, we can now have an outstanding germination rate
within 10 days. This makes the bluebonnet a great addition to the annual
bedding market. When sowing bluebonnet seeds, lightly
cover them or rake them into the soil to insure germination, but make sure not
to cover them more than one-half inch. Bluebonnet seed can be very expensive
birdseed when thrown haphazardly on the ground.
When planting bluebonnet seeds or transplants it is best to
plant them in a sunny, well-drained area where they can receive eight to 10
hours of sun each day. This will ensure beautiful blooms.
If clay soil is a problem, try raising your beds 6 inches or
more and amending the soil with organic matter. Do not plant in an area that
has a history of a fungal disease, known as "damping-off." Keep in
mind that these plants are not only drought tolerant, but are one of
One of the major enemies of bluebonnet seedlings and
transplants are nocturnal pill bugs, often called roly-polys,
or sowbugs. Because they are capable of devouring a
plant overnight, it is best to broadcast pill bug bait around new emerging
plants on a weekly basis during the first month after planting. Another enemy would
be over-watering.
Bluebonnets are capable of producing a natural fertilizer,
nitrogen, produced by soil organisms. A nitrogen-fixing bacterium known as rhizobium lives on the roots of legumes (bluebonnets). The
relationship between the bacterium and the plant is said to be symbiotic,
meaning that both organisms benefit. The plant receives nitrogen from the
bacterium, which has the ability to take nitrogen from the air. The bacterium
in return lives on the roots and receives life support from the plant. Although
bluebonnets were thought at one time to rob the soil, it is now known that they
enhance it and are capable of producing (with the help of rhizobium)
as much nitrogen as soybeans, which can yield a possible 100 pounds of nitrogen
per acre. For best results, purchase pre-inoculated seeds or
purchase the bluebonnet inoculants and follow directions to mix it onto
the seed prior to planting.
A bed of bluebonnets looks striking mixed with other plants,
and if you desire companion planting with bluebonnets, your best choices are
pansies, dusty miller, dianthus, spring-flowering bulbs, ornamental cabbage and
drummond red phlox. Spacing
bluebonnet transplants in rows 24 inches apart and 12 inches apart within the
row interspersed with perennials will yield a beautiful pattern. Also lantana,
mealy cup sage, autumn sage and Michalmas daisy
provide a very attractive contrast.
If you are interested in wildflowers, especially
bluebonnets, the September 2004 Texas Highways publication is excellent. Local
feed stores and nurseries, Native American Seed (Junction,
We hope you will sow a few bluebonnet seeds this fall and
enjoy the beautiful, colorful hues our