Wildflower Season Is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Photo: Susan Tull, April 2016

The bluebonnet, Texas’ state flower, tends to get top billing. The 12- to 24-inch lupine, which can be blue, lavender, red, pink or white (yes, really), is the first to bloom but shortly thereafter shares the stage with other equally striking plants. These include the vermillion Indian Paintbrush, yellow and red Indian Blanket and Coreopsis, and pink Evening Primrose, also called a Buttercup.

Texas Highways’ online guide makes it easy to learn how to identify some of the more common wildflowers in the Texas Hill Country and around the state. After studying the guide, test your knowledge by taking Texas Hill Country’s quick quiz or with a day trip somewhere in the Highland Lakes region (where all the photos in this article were taken).

Photo: Susan Tull, April 2015

When viewing or photographing wildflowers, remember to be safe. Only stop when you find places to completely pull off the road – such spots can be few and far between. If you’re shooting pictures that require standing in the street, be vigilant about oncoming traffic from both directions, even on back roads. (Getting hit by a car or truck while composing your award-winning wildflower shot ranks right up there with falling off a cliff while shooting a selfie that captures spectacular scenery.) Finally, watch out for fire ants and snakes lurking among the stalky plants.