Build&Bloom
Spring 2021
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6
GILLESPIE WILDFLOWERS SPOTTY DUE TO LACK OF FALL RAIN
Build&Bloom
By Samuel Sutton and Joe Southern
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He added the areas where they’re more plentiful — where they got the most rainfall — are in northern Gillespie County is known for having an abundance Gillespie County, closest to Llano County. of wildflowers, but they may be few and far between in 2021. Thomas also noted February’s winter storm did not have much effect on local wildflowers. John Thomas, owner and founder of Wildseed Farms on U.S. 290 East, contributed this to the lack of rainfall in the fall months.
“The wildflowers here are tough and winter hearty,” he said. “They come up in October, they grow through the winter and they bloom in the spring. The only thing the freeze did was delay the blooms about a week to 10 days.”
NATIVE WILDFLOWERS Gillespie County has plenty of other wildflowers than just bluebonnets.
John Thomas, owner and founder of Wildseed Farms, notes that wildflowers may be a little spotty this year due to lack of rain in the fall months.– Submitted photo
“Most wildflowers in Texas are annuals, they need fall rains to germinate. They need rainfall in the October, November and December months for that good spring color,” he said. “Guess what they did not get?”
While bluebonnets may be the most popular, Thomas noted several other types, including, but not limited to: • Engelmann D aisy; • Desert Verbena; • Indian Blanket; • Indian Paint Brush; • Thelesperma (greenthread); • Showy Primrose; • Mexican Hat; • Purple Horsemint. He added these are only a few types and there are probably twice as many native wildflowers to see.
