TEXAS TXDOT’S WILDFLOWER LEGACY FOR MORE THAN 90 YEARS, the Texas Department of Transportation has worked to conserve and preserve the state’s wildflower species. Texas was among the first states to implement a program of planting wildflower seeds along the state’s rights of way. In the early 1900s, rights of way often were completely cleared during the roadbuilding process. After the Texas FLOWERS Department of Transportation was organized in 1917, TxDOT officials began to notice that wildflowers were Most years, spring wildflower season arrives in Texas among the first vegetation to return. The wildflowers helped prevent soil erosion and looked attractive. heralded by blankets of colorful blooms unfolding In the 1930s, TxDOT’s policy was to preserve as many across fields and lining roadways. A sense of excite- native trees and shrubs in the right of way as possible and ment fills the air as the first blossoms are spotted and the department hired its first landscape architect. By 1934, the custom of stopping mowing—except when required for websites begin recording the locations of sightings. safety—until after the spring flowering season ended and Specifically when, where and how abundant they the plants had reseeded became policy. will be depends on a number of factors—including Since then, TxDOT has planted millions of wildflower seeds. During the early years, this process included rainfall, freezes, warm fronts and sunshine. In general, collecting seeds for the next year’s planting. Today, the the most amazing spreads of wildflowers are found department buys and sows about 30,000 pounds of March through May with peaks in April and in the wildflower seeds each year along more than 800,000 miles of right of way. summertime after good rains. Other wildflowers The Wildflower Program works to create roadsides that bloom at varying times throughout the year, such as blend into their surroundings with grasses and wildflowers goldenrod and purple gayfeather, which flower in the that help conserve water, control erosion and provide a wildlife habitat. The result is miles of beautiful color. fall. We hope the information in this guide will assist you in planning your wildflower-related travels.

TRAVEL INFORMATION DIVISION PO BOX 149249 • AUSTIN, TX 78714-9249 FOR MORE WILDFLOWER information, pick up the April issue of Texas Highways magazine. For ©Texas Department of Transportation additional information and more detailed drives, 041602 visit www.texashighways.com and search A Publication of Wildflower Drives.

All photos provided by the Texas Department of Transportation Communication Division and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (www.wildflower.org). WILDFLOWER Vegetational Areas of Texas BLACKLAND PRAIRIES is named for the deep, fertile black soils. This region consists of a gently rolling landscape with Texas has more than 268,000 square miles of land and water with most vegetation related to farming and ranching. Remnants variations of climate and topography that result in wildly diverse of the Blackland Prairies are preserved in the Clymer Meadow Regions habitats. The state’s vegetational areas are generally broken into Preserve (appointment only) in Hunt County, Parkhill Prairie in 10 natural areas (ecoregions). There are a number of parks and Collin County, Cedar Hill State Park in Cedar Hill and Rosehill preserves where travelers can view native plants of the ecoregion Park in Garland. Wildflowers at Cedar Hill include bluebonnets, and enjoy wildflowers in the spring. antelope horns, bluebell and fleabane.

Amarillo PINEY WOODS is an area of rolling terrain with pines, oaks CROSS TIMBERS AND PRAIRIES ecoregion is marked and tall hardwoods in the east to northeastern part of the state. The by dense areas of trees combined with irregular plains and Wichita four national forests and the Big Thicket Nature Preserve manage prairies. It is west of the Blackland Prairies and northeast of the HIGH BLACKLAND Falls PRAIRIES and protect habitats characteristic of this ecoregion.­ Wild­flowers Edwards Plateau. Tandy Hills Natural Area in Fort Worth protects PLAINS Texarkana ROLLING can be found in the Matlock Hills and Sandy Creek Ravines of Sa- the native prairie with more than 500 native wildflower and Lubbock PLAINS Fort bine National Forest, Black Branch Barrens and Boykin Springs plant species. The Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve in Worth Dallas Abilene of Angelina National Forest, and five units of the Big Thicket. Southlake preserves the eastern Cross Timbers ecosystem on El Paso CROSS Longview about 750 acres. TIMBERS AND PINEY GULF COAST PRAIRIES AND MARSHES region runs PRAIRIES TRANS-PECOS WOODS along the Texas coastline from Orange to South Padre Island. It SOUTH TEXAS PLAINS is filled primarily with thorny MOUNTAINS San Angelo POST OAK brush/scrub mixed with grasslands and, in the Rio Grande SAVANNAH includes barrier islands, salt grass marshes, oak parklands and riv- early June. Muleshoe, the state’s oldest national wildlife refuge, EDWARDS Austin er bottomlands. Padre Island National Seashore and nine national valley, subtropical woodlands. The land ranges from nearly level also protects the shortgrass prairie. Alpine PLATEAU Houston wildlife refuges protect the coastal plants and wildlife. Wildflowers to rolling plains. Choke Canyon State Park has dense thickets of ecoregion is cut into gently rolling hills San Antonio at Padre Island include Rio Grande phlox, Texas prickly pear, sea mesquite and blackbush acacia that are often joined by abundant ROLLING PLAINS GULF PRAIRIES and broad, flat areas by several rivers and numerous tributaries. lavender and beach evening primrose. wildflowers in the spring. AND MARSHES This portion of the Panhandle resembles a mesquite-shortgrass SOUTH TEXAS EDWARDS PLATEAU is known for springs, stony hills, PLAINS POST OAK SAVANNAH stretches from the northern part savannah. Around Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, of South Texas to north of Texarkana. It is a transitional area for and steep canyons. This Central Texas area has juniper/oak travelers will find the Shortgrass Prairie Ecosystem and, in the Laredo Corpus woodlands, mesquite savannah and some grasslands. The Christi plant and animal species that is typified by oak woodland inter- spring, wildflowers such as Blackfoot daisy and chocolate daisy. spersed with grasslands. Lake Somerville State Park contains post Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Inks Lake State ecoregion in West Texas McAllen oaks, and the trailway passes through yaupon, post oak, hickory, Park and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area are among the TRANS-PECOS MOUNTAINS Brownsville is considered a complex region, ranging from desert valleys with black jack oak and water oak forests. Though not in this ecoregion, parks that nurture the natural habitat of this region and offer creosote-tarbush desert scrub to mountain slopes with pin- the Post Oak Preserve in Seagoville protects one of the last stands brilliant wildflower shows during the spring. ion pine, junipers and oaks. Big Bend National Park, Franklin of Post Oak Savannah. HIGH PLAINS ecoregion, in the Panhandle, is characterized Mountains State Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park by a high plateau separated from the Rolling Plains by the conserve portions of this natural habitat and offer wildflowers, Caprock Escarpment. Its vegetation is primarily cropland with including two- to three-foot-tall bluebonnets, Mexican gold LET’S GET STARTED! Below are some of the more common Texas wildlfowers. Most of these are found throughout the state, mesquite and juniper. The Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge poppies and late-blooming perennials, respectively. but some may be specific to a region.Texas has more than 5,000 species of flowering plants. To find out more about wildflowers, preserves shortgrass prairie with wildflowers, like poppies, visit www.wildflower.org/plants. flowering cactus and sunflowers blooming from April through Ecoregion source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, www.tpwd.texas.gov.

TEXAS BLUEBONNETS (Lupinus INDIAN PAINTBRUSH (Castilleja spp.) varies PINK EVENING PRIMROSE (Oenothera COREOPSIS (Coreopsis tinctoria), or tick- LEMONMINT (Monarda citriodora), also WINECUP (Callirhoe digitata) is found in most INDIAN BLANKET (Gaillardia pulchella), also WHITE PRICKLY POPPY (Argemone texensis) blanket large portions of the in color from scarlet to orange, cream, yellow and speciosa) opens at dusk in northern parts of the seed, often blankets whole fields and road- called horsemint, grows abundantly through- parts of the state, except the west. The delicate called firewheel, flowers across much of the state albiflora), an abundant, nettle-like plant state in early spring. All six species that occasionally purple. Paintbrushes grow throughout state. In the rest of the state, blooms stay open sides. It blooms from May to August in the out most of Texas, in many different colors. burgundy flower blooms in early spring on sandy from April to June. When viewed in mass, it of Central and South Texas, blooms grow in Texas are the official state flower. the state and bloom in early spring. all day. Usually, they bloom from April to June. eastern half of the state. Various spe­cies flower from May to September. soils in open woods and scrublands. resembles brightly woven tapestries. profusely in April. 2 3 SOME COMMON TEXAS “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” Wildflowers —Lady Bird Johnson

STANDING CYPRESS (Ipomopsis rubra) BEACH MORNING GLORY (Ipomoea imperati) BLACK-EYED SUSAN (Rudbeckia hirta) is a prairie WILD PHLOX (Phlox drummondii) occurs in BLACKFOOT DAISY (Melampodium leucan­ SAND VERBENA (Abronia ameliae) blooms TAHOKA DAISY (Machaeranthera tanaceti­folia) OCOTILLO (Fouquieria splendens) is a native ranges from East Texas west to Gillespie forms large mats and helps stabilize the coastal dunes. species found throughout Texas. Its bright yellow post oak prairies and in South Central Texas. Red is thum) thrives on calcareous soils of West and from April to August on dry plains, sandy hills also known as tansy aster, grows abundantly in the of West Texas, blooming in April and May, as and Taylor counties. The bloom’s column of Blooming from April through Dece­ mber, the flowers flowers with a chocolate brown center bloom from the most common color, but they may be shades Central Texas. A low-growing perennial, black- and beaches in southern Texas. Sand verbena is sandy soils of West Texas or the Pan­handle. Tahoka well as sporadically after rains. During dry scarlet trumpets displays from May to July. open each morning and close in the afternoon. May through September. of pink and purple. Phlox blooms in early spring. foot daisies flower from early spring through fall. actually in the four o’clock family. daisies bloom from late spring to summer. periods, it looks dead and leafless.

BLUEBELLS (Eustoma exaltatum) bloom PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS (Opuntia spp.) grows GAYFEATHER (Liatris spp.), also called blazing star, SPIDER LILY (Hymenocallis liriosme) HUISACHE DAISY (Amblyolepis setigera) CEDAR SAGE (Salvia roemeriana) inhabits shady, YUCCA (Yucca torreyi), or Spanish dagger, grows BLUE-EYED GRASS (Sisyrinchium spp.) from June to September. Don’t pick them! throughout Texas. The yellow to deep purple flow- grows in open areas throughout the state. Blooming has fragrant flowers with dramatic white petals. blooms from April to June in Central and moist to dry areas of Central Texas. It is often over much of Texas, but it is most common in west- blankets roadside pastures with blue to purple Bluebells have almost dis­appeared in part ers form edible, pear-shaped fruits that turn dark from late summer to fall, the purple or pink spikes Requiring a generous source of water, it grows South Texas. This daisy often grows in thick found in cedar brakes, oak woods and canyons. ern areas. A huge mass of white blossoms appears blooms on sunny days April to May. Common from indiscriminate picking. red as they ripen in late summer and fall. contrast strikingly with prairie grasses. in ditches, beside ponds and on coastal prairies. blankets beneath huisache, hence its name. Cedar sage blooms from March to July. in spring and sometimes after fall rains. in East Texas and the Gulf Coast.

DOGWOOD (Cornus florida) blossoms TEXAS THISTLE (Cirsium texanum) grows in all MEXICAN HAT (Ratibida columnifera) is so named CARDINAL FLOWER (Lobelia cardinalis) CENIZO (Leucophyllum frutescens) thrives in FLEABANE (Erigeron philadelphicus) is a com- AGAVE (Agave spp.) grows in the Chihua­huan TURK’S CAP (Malvaviscus arboreus var. herald spring throughout much of East areas of the state except the Panhandle. It is similar for its resemblance to the traditional Mexican som- is found in the east­ern half of the state. They western Texas. Although it also is called Texas mon flower on sandy soils throughout most of East Desert of Southwest Texas. It is sometimes called drummondii) is a shade-loving shrub found Texas. The small, graceful trees grow to the Scottish thistle. Butterflies and bees love the brero. Common throughout most of Texas, it blooms often grow along stream banks and bloom from sage, it is not a true sage. After rains, it becomes Texas, usually along roadsides and streams. It flow- the century plant, as each plant only flowers once in South and Central Texas. It blooms from beneath towering pines and hardwoods. flowers, which bloom from April to August. from May to July and later with favorable weather. May to December, depending on the rains. engulfed by masses of lavender blossoms. ers early in the spring, persisting until late summer. in its lifetime, which may take many years. late spring into early fall. 4 5 SOME COMMON TEXAS “It is not necessary to know the name of a flower in order to appreciate it.” Wildflowers —from Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide by Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller

STRAWBERRY CACTUS (Echinocereus­ SWAMP MALLOW (Hibiscus moscheutos) is one SPIDERWORT (Tradescantia gigantea) has a GOLDENROD (Solidago spp.) is mistakenly MOUNTAIN PINK (Centaurium beyrichii) CHOCOLATE DAISY (Berlandiera lyrata) grows BASKET FLOWER (Centaurea americana) has NODDING PENSTEMON (Penstemon stramineus) grows on dry soils throughout of the most showy Texas species in the mallow dainty, three-petal flower and blooms throughout thought to cause hay fever. The real culprit, rag- thrives on the limestone hills of Central Texas in Central and West Texas on rocky, limestone soils. straw-colored bracts underneath the flower that laxi ­florus) blooms from April to May in various Texas and blooms in early summer. This is family. Native to tropical areas along the Gulf Coast, the state in spring. Color variations include white, weed, blooms at the same time. Most Texas species and westward. Blooming in early summer, the Chocolate daisy blooms from June to October resemble a woven basket. They grow throughout shades of white and pink. The bell-shaped one of many cactus species in Texas. swamp mallow also inhabits low areas of East Texas. blue, pink and purple. of goldenrod flower in late summer and fall. flower stalks branch to form a perfect bouquet. and can have a chocolate aroma. most of Texas and bloom from June to July. flowers also are called fairy thimbles.

MAGNOLIA (Magnolia grandiflora) ever­ SLEEPY DAISY (Xanthisma texanum) grows mainly WILD AZALEA (Rhododendron canes­cens), some- LANTANA (Lantana urticoides), a three- to five- HUISACHE (Acacia farnesiana) means “many OBEDIENT PLANT (Physostegia pulchella) RAIN LILY (Cooperia pedunculata) appears like PRAIRIE VERBENA (Glandularia bipinnati­ green trees grow wild in East Texas bottom- in South and Central Texas. At night or on cloudy times called swamp honeysuckle, thrives in the wet foot shrub, grows in various habitats throughout thorns” in Nahuatl. It is a small tree that grows in is an endemic species, found mostly in the wet magic a few days after heavy rains, from spring to fida) is one the most abundant wildflowers in lands and in yards throughout the state. days, the flowers close up, and the daisy seems to woodlands of East Texas. Large pink and white petals the state. Under favorable conditions, its blossoms South and Central Texas. Its fragrant, orange- bottomlands of East Texas. Obedient plant summer. The blossom opens slowly at dusk, expands the state. They bloom most profusely in the They bloom April to June. “sleep.” It blooms from late spring to early fall. appear before the leaves in early spring. flower from spring until the first frost. yellow flowers bloom from January to April. blooms from April to June. during the night and is in full flower the next morning. spring, though they may flower at other times.

CROSSVINE (Bignonia caprealata) blooms ERYNGO (Eryngium leavenworthii) is not a true TEXAS MOUNTAIN LAUREL (Sophora secun­ GRASS PINK (Calopogon tuberosus var. tuber­ ANTELOPE HORNS (Asclepias asperula) TEXAS DANDELION (Pyrrhopappus caroli­nianus), MEXICAN GOLD POPPY (Eschscholzia californica AMERICAN LOTUS (Nelumbo lutea) is a March to May and is found in East Texas thistle, though just as prickly. They are late summer diflora) is an evergreen shrub found in Central and osus) is one of many or­chids found in the Big grow in meadows from the Blackland Prairies to or false dandelion, grows commonly over the east- ssp. mexicana) has a Spanish name Amopalo del close relative of the sacred lotus of Egypt. and parts of westernmost Central Texas. and fall blooming annuals found in rocky prairies in South­west Texas. In early spring, it produces clusters Thicket area in South­east Texas. Orchids are be- the Edwards Plateau. Blooms may be spotted ern half of the state. It blooms in the mornings from Campo. It grows in the Trans Pecos and blooms after It grows in quiet waters of South and East The vines can climb up to 50 feet. all but far western and southern Texas. of purple flowers with a distinct grape fragrance. coming more scarce as their habitats disappear. from March through October. March through May. winter rains, usually from March to May. Texas, blooming June through September. 6 7 WILDFLOWER Drives

TAKE TO THE ROAD. Driving Farm to Market, Ranch to Market and county roads during the spring wildflower season, after summer rains in desert areas and during the late summer/fall blooming season can net some of the most spectacular spreads of wildflowers. Those who seek a preplanned route might consider taking one of the following wildflower drives. Since wildflowers are unpredictable, a call ahead to the local chamber of commerce or convention and visitors bureau will help determine the best time to take the trip and the most productive routes.

CUERO AND DE WITT COUNTY NORTH TEXAS Southeast of San Antonio lies a 132-mile loop that takes in This 120-mile trail makes a nice loop past open fields and Cuero and De Witt County, the Wildflower Capital of Texas, pastures, over the Trinity River and along the tree-lined roads along with Goliad, Helena, Gillett, Nixon and a side trip from near Athens. It takes in the cities of Ennis, Kaufman, Athens, Westoff along Cheapside Road. Keep an eye out for bluebonnets, Kerens and Corsicana. In Athens, The Texas Freshwater Indian paintbrush, Mexican hats, Indian blankets, lazy daisies, Fisheries Center has 10,000 square feet for seasonal wildflower phlox, winecups and coreopsis. Consider a detour to Goliad State displays. Look for bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, Arkansas lazy Park to look for bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, phlox, lantana daisies, winecups, wild verbena, horsemint, pink evening prim- and winecups. In Cuero, stop by the Chamber of Commerce rose, larkspur and other wildflowers. If the loop hasn’t provided (www.cuero.org) for a map of more than 800 miles of wildflower enough wildflower viewing, consider spending some additional trails and current updates. time in Ennis, home to the “Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail,” NIXON during April for some of the state’s best bluebonnet viewing. The Those who want to see 87 CHEAPSIDE blooms at a slower pace 87 Ennis Garden Club monitors 40 miles of roads around the city, WESTHOFF 183 can check out a wildflower GILLETT CUERO checking each week for the best bluebonnet spots. The Ennis 80 119 bicycling tour in Cuero 72 87 Convention & Visitors Bureau also provides information on during April. For those HELENA the routes (www.visitennis.org/bluebonnet.htm). 181 77A Guadalupe who prefer to paddle, 792 San 183 River Antonio the Guadalupe Valley KENEDY River 59 239 GOLIAD 20 Paddling Trail offers a 72 181 175 KAUFMAN GOLIAD 243 view of wildflowers growing STATE PARK Trinity PRESIDIO CANTON ´ River along the Guadalupe River. 59 LA BAHIA 34 45 19

Cedar Creek 175 ATHENS ENNIS Reservoir FRESHWATER WILDFLOWER ETIQUETTE AND SAFETY 31 FISHERIES CENTER PIONEERS brewed a cough 45 • Respect private property. Do not enter without permission. 2495 medicine from lemonmint. Lake 287 KERENS 31 ATHENS Mountain pink was called • Do not trample or pick the wildflowers. Many of the wildlflowers are annuals Athens CORSICANA that will not return without these seeding processes. quinine weed because the Richland-Chambers • If you pull over, choose a safe area, and do not stop/park in areas that prohibit Reservoir dried plants were used to parking. Make sure all four wheels are completely off the roadway and the car reduce fevers. Coreopsis, also is facing the same direction as traffic on that side of the road. Do not obstruct called tickseed, was used in traffic movement. mat­tresses to ward off ticks The right of way is a dangerous place—please make sure to be safe. and fleas.

8 9

WILDFLOWER Picking the Bluebonnet HEN THE TEXAS Legislature sat down to select the state flower in March 1901, it wasn’t a straight- Wforward decision. The National Society of Colonial Drives Dames of America in Texas requested the bluebonnet be named. In the state House of Representatives, there were some other ideas. State Representative Phil Clements suggested the cotton HILL COUNTRY boll as the “white flower of commerce” because cotton was big business at the time. State Representative John Nance Garner, The Hill Country is blessed with a bountiful bouquet of wild- who later became vice president, supported cacti’s durability so flowers each spring when the weather cooperates. Almost any passionately that he gained the nickname of “Cactus Jack.” portion of this route offers the possibility of spotting glorious There are several stories regarding how the bluebonnet gained displays. The roads between Marble Falls, Burnet, Lampasas, its success. One story says when one legislator asked what a San Saba, Mason, Llano, Fredericksburg and Johnson City are bluebonnet looked like, the some of the most tried-and-true trails. Along the routes look NSCDA members sent for for bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, pink evening primroses, (or brought with them) daisies, winecups, prairie verbena and goldeneye phlox. Enjoy a painting of bluebonnets the drive along gently rolling hills past granite boulders, pastures to show the Legislature and, and trees. Driving the whole route would cover almost 300 presumably, the flower’s miles and is best enjoyed over several days, but choosing any appearance impressed the smaller section should provide plenty of opportunities to legislators so much that see wildflowers and stop at some of the attractions and towns it was approved. Another along the route. version suggested the For more festivities, consider planning a trip women gave the Legislature when Burnet holds its Bluebonnet Festival in April a bluebonnet painting to (www.burnetchamber.org). For more area information, sway their opinion. A third go to www.visitfredericksburgtx.com and marblefalls.org. version says Tyler native Ellen Boren Robertson, who 190 THE SIX STATE FLOWERS: convinced the NSCDA Texas • Lupinus texensis grows in SAN 281 chapter to champion the blue- SABA 580 Central Texas and is the BEND bonnet, and her friends picked most commonly known. LAMPASAS bluebonnets and placed one on COLORADO 183 • Lupinus subcarnosus grows 71 BEND the desk of each senator and FREDONIA Colorado in South Texas. STATE PARK River 16 • Lupinus havardii grows in representative. 71 281 386 Lake the Big Bend area. However it came about, the Buchanan • Lupinus concinnus is found legislators were convinced MASON LLANO 29 BURNET 29 in the Trans-Pecos region. Llano 29 and selected the Lupinus INKS LAKE • Lupinus plattensis grows River STATE subcarnosus in March 1901 1431 PARK BALCONES in the Texas Panhandle. CANYONLANDS as the state flower. ENCHANTED NATL. WILDLIFE • Lupinus perennis grows ROCK STATE 71 REFUGE NAT. AREA MARBLE in eastern Texas What they did not realize 87 FALLS was they chose a dainty version, 965 and the discussion was not over. Shortly after the 1901 vote, 16 Pedernales LBJ Lake arguments began that the showier Lupinus texensis should have JOHNSON River Travis WILDFLOWER ROUTES are NATL. & been selected. After years of controversy, the 1971 Legislature STATE CITY 71 based on Melissa Gaskill’s wild- 290 FREDERICKSBURG PARKS PEDERNALES FALLS STATE flower drive articles for Texas equitably decided that both bluebonnets, along with “any other 290 PARK STONEWALL 290 Highways magazine. For addi- variety of bluebonnet not heretofore recorded,” are the state tional and more detailed drives, flower. There are actually six different species of bluebonnets that BLANCO visit www.texashighways.com grow in the state, two of which are known to only grow naturally and search Wildflower Drives. in Texas.

10 11 WILDFLOWER Drives NAVASOTA 105 105 PLANTERSVILLE WM. PENN RD. This area INDEPENDENCE WASHINGTON AND GRIMES COUNTIES WASHINGTON- 1774 has two routes that often provide glorious spreads of wildflowers. 390 390 ON-THE-BRAZOS 912 STATE HISTORIC SITE One is an 80-mile loop from Brenham to Burton, Independence, 50 36 6 Washington and Chappell Hill then back to Brenham (www.visit 105 MAGNOLIA brenhamtexas.com). Along the route, travelers may spot bluebonnets, 1697 BURTON Brazos 1155 River 1488 Indian paintbrush, thistles, purple coneflower, verbena, beardtongue, 290 BRENHAM skullcaps, prairie parsley, yellow wild indigo, blue-eyed grass, CHAPPELL rattlesnake master, blanket flower and rosinweed. The second—about HILL HEMPSTEAD 290 a 105-mile loop—starts in Brenham but takes a more easterly route that transitions from stands of oaks to forests of pine along F.M. 1774 and includes Navasota, Plantersville, Magnolia and Hempstead. Take note of the jog in the road at Navasota that takes drivers along the access road for Texas 6 to get to the adjoining portion of Texas 105.

WESTERN HILL COUNTRY This 120-mile figure-eight-shaped loop, which takes in the Texas Hill Country River Region, is a beautiful drive anytime of the year. It is espe- LOST MAPLES STATE NATURAL Medina cially outstanding when wildflowers bloom throughout the region and with the fall foliage Frio AREA River River MEDINA VANDERPOOL changes at the Hill Country State Natural Area and Lost Maples State Park. The trip can 173 337 16 easily be divided into smaller loops of 50 miles—taking in Utopia, Leakey and Vander- LEAKEY 337 pool—or 70 miles through Bandera, Utopia, Vanderpool and Medina. Look for bluebon- 187 TARPLEY BANDERA 470 nets, Indian blanket, evening primrose, penstemon, mountain laurel, Blackfoot daisy and 83 UTOPIA HILL COUNTRY redbud trees. Golden dalea, thistle, prickly pear, skeleton plant, agarita and Mexican hat 1050 STATE NATURAL GARNER Sabinal 462 AREA may be in bloom at the Texas Hill Country State Natural Area. Cardinal flowers, Mexican STATE River hats, phlox, prairie verbena and sages may be found at Lost Maples. For more area infor- CONCAN PARK mation, go to visituvaldecounty.com or www.banderacowboycapital.com.

AMARILLO AND LAKE MEREDITH Along this 135-mile loop through the Pan- DUMAS 152 STINNETT handle, look for sunflowers, tansy mustard, Gordon’s bladderpod, winecups, big top prairie Lake 1319 687 clover, gayfeather, daisies and yucca. While in Amarillo (www.visitamarillo.com), consider Meredith SANFORD a stop at the Wildcat Bluff Nature Center to see yellow puccoon, antelope horns, prairie 354 1913 verbena, prickly poppy, purple coneflower and more. Farther north, Lake Meredith National LAKE MEREDITH NATIONAL FRITCH Recreation Area sees such wildflowers as Blackfoot daisy, lace cactus, chocolate daisy, star RECREATION AREA thistle and copper globe mallow. Check the recreation area’s calendar for wildflower-related ALIBATES NATL. activities like a ranger-guided tour of the Alibates Gardens. Just north of Sanford, travelers MONUMENT DYC (damn yellow composite) may choose to take F.M. 3395 (not pictured), for an alternate drive just north of the recreation 136 refers to any of the numerous Canadian species of yellow flowers in the area between R.M. 1319 and F.M. 1913. River 87 287 Aster family. They can be diffi- cult to tell apart in the field. 335 60 Outside of the orchid family, this TO HELP IDENTIFY wildflowers along the way, consider picking up one of the many helpful Texas 40 40 is one of the largest plant families, wildflower guides or go to www.wildflower.org. AMARILLO with more than 20,000 species.

12 13 WILDFLOWER THE TRANS-MOUNTAIN Road (Loop 375) through Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso reaches an elevation of 5,120 feet. Fields Drives of Mexican gold poppies are usually found on the eastern slope during spring.

BIG BEND COUNTRY This route makes a 230-mile scenic loop through Alpine, Terlingua, 90 ALPINE 90 Lajitas, Presidio and Marfa. Inexperienced travelers might think the Big Bend is a desert and mountain- MARFA 67 MARATHON ous area devoid of wildflowers. However, there are plenty of desert blooms to look for—blind cactus, 90

rainbow cactus, strawberry pitaya, ocotillo, yucca and sotol—along with bluebonnets (a larger version 67 than seen in the Hill Country), catclaw and desert marigolds. Those who detour to the east along F.M. 170 118 385 into Big Bend National Park may find bluebonnets, cacti, yuccas, huisache and mountain laurel among Rio GrandePRESIDIOBIG BEND other blooming plants. The park has two flowering seasons—spring and late summer—though some RANCH plants will bloom in warm weather after a significant rainfall. Since the flowers can be so dependent STATE PARK TERLINGUA upon rain, in drier years, travelers may want to look for unpaved roads, canyons and arroyos, which may 170 LAJITAS BIG BEND have areas of accumulated moisture to feed the flowers. U.S. 385 from Marathon provides a scenic 40- NATL. PARK mile drive to or from the national park. For more area information, go to www.visitbigbend.com. MEXICO

DAVIS MOUNTAINS The 75-mile Davis Mountains Scenic Loop provides a visual treat throughout the MCDONALD year. The Davis Mountains area is considered a “sky island,” isolated from similar mountain ranges, that con- OBSERVATORY tains flora and fauna that exist nowhere else in Texas. Wildflowers here tend to put in an appearance with the 118 17 late summer rains. Along the loop, look for agaves, beargrass, purple feather dalea, Mexican buckeye, flameleaf 166 DAVIS MTNS. FORT DAVIS sumac, scarlet bouvardia, yellow bladderpods, white-flowered peppergrass and purple verbena. Consider a STATE PARK CHIHUAHUAN DESERT NATURE stop at Davis Mountains State Park, which can have blooming shrubs of scarlet bouvardia, trompillo, sumacs, CENTER 17 Apache plume, cholla, yucca, catclaw acacia and agarita. Flowers may fill the park in years of abundant rain- 118 fall. When near Fort Davis, (www.fortdavis.com) travelers can turn southeast onto Texas 118 for a short drive to visit the Chihuahuan Desert Research Center, which features plants of the Chihuahuan Desert.

BRAZORIA COUNTY The coastal areas of Texas have their share of blooms. This BRAZOS BEND scenic drive explores the beauties of Brazoria County. It includes a 70-mile loop (F.M. 1462 762 STATE PARK 1462 to Texas 36, to F.M. 2004 to Texas 288) through West Columbia, Angleton, Lake Jackson, and Brazoria, with tendrils leading to a state park and two national wildlife refuges. Brazos 288 Brazos Bend State Park hosts an incredible variety of wildflowers including spider lily, floating River WEST ANGLETON 2004 COLUMBIA bladderwort, basket flower, black-eyed susan, bluebonnets, morning glory vine and wild 35 BRAZORIA indigo. At Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, look for sea oxeye daisy, tropical sage, core- 36 NATL. WILDLIFE LAKE REFUGE opsis, yellow thistle and spider lily. At the San Bernard National Wildlife refuge, keep an eye BRAZORIA JACKSON out for sea oxeye daisy along with irises and water lilies. For more wildflowers, continue San Bernard 2004 driving south to Quintana Beach County Park to look for them growing amongst the dunes. River 332 2611 36 2918 FREEPORT QUINTANA BEACH SAN BERNARD SHOP TEXAS HIGHWAYS! The Gift Shop at NATL. WILDLIFE texashighways.com is your one-stop shop for REFUGE the perfect Lone Star-themed clothing, books, accessories and more. Look for the True Texas line, which highlights the exceptional creativity and quality of Texas-based artisans.

14 15 WILDFLOWER Lady Bird’s Wildflowers

ADY BIRD JOHNSON will forever be associated with wildflowers from working with highway ATLANTA Drives beautification to establishing the Lady Bird Johnson HUGHES 8 L 59 SPRINGS Wild­­flower Center. We enjoy the tangible results of her 11 LINDEN 43 efforts today.

NORTHEAST TEXAS 155 Her work went beyond beautification. Lady Bird realized that encouraging natural beauty had greater consequences, The communities of Linden, Avinger and AVINGER 59 including preservation of the land and feeding the soul. Hughes Springs host the Wildflower Trails 49 49 “Some may wonder why I chose wildflowers when there of Texas (www.lindenwildflowertrails.net), Caddo Lake are hunger and unemployment celebrating yellow-fringed orchids, lobelia, cor- Lake O’ The Pines CADDO LAKE and the big bomb in the world,” albean, coreopsis, Indian paintbrush, phlox and KARNACK STATE PARK other wildflowers. The celebration includes the Lady Bird once said. “Well, I, 43 Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival in Linden, MARSHALL for one, think we will survive, which is generally held the fourth weekend of 80 and I hope that along the way April. The 40-mile triangle among the three 20 we can keep alive our experience cities can serve as a warm up before expanding with the flowering earth. For the the trip into a 128-mile exploration of Northeast Texas wildflowers by bounty of nature is also one of adding the towns of Atlanta, Karnack and Marshall. Along the expanded the deep needs of man.” route, look for coneflower, dogwoods, field pansy, Indian blanket, spider- Born Claudia Alta Taylor, wort, crimson clover, bachelor buttons, Mexican hats, bluebonnets and Lady Bird grew up in East Texas wild indigo. A detour at Karnack to Caddo Lake State Park leads to poten- and spent summers in Alabama. tially blooming dogwoods, redbuds and mayapple and the potential to Many credit her time spent out- find water horehound, jack-in-the-pulpit, green dragon and wild violets, doors as a child, especially watching wildflowers bloom each among other wildflowers. spring, for the development of her environmental passion. In a 1993 article in the New York Times, Lady Bird indicated that it wasn’t until her husband, Lyndon B. Johnson, was elect- EAST TEXAS ed president, and especially after his Great Society speech in The beautiful wildflowers and flowers found in East Texas have their own 1964, that she was inspired to preserve the environment. appeal. This Palestine, Rusk, Alto, Nacogdoches and Crockett route offers Her work contributed to the passage of the Highway the benefit of seeing dogwood and redbud trees along with winecups and Beautification Act of 1965 and led the Johnson Adminis­tration other wildflowers. In Palestine, visit the 254-acre Davey Dogwood Park to be one of the most active in promoting conservation, signing when the trees are covered in blooms or visit for the Dogwood into law almost 300 conservation and beautification measures. Festival the last two weekends of March and first weekend 20 Later, when Lady Bird returned to Texas, she noticed the in April. Stop at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center in KILGORE changes of urban growth. She became concerned that native Nacogdoches to view the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower TATUM 259 43 plants and wildflowers were at risk of extinction. At age 70, Demonstration Garden, and though flowers in the she decided to act. Ruby M. Mize Azalea Gardens are not native, don’t HENDERSON In 1982, Lady Bird and actress Helen Hayes founded pass up the opportunity to visit while in town. MOUNT ENTERPRISE the National Wildflower Research Center, which conducts (In March, tours are often offered RUSK Angelina THE BIG THICKET of Texas research and provides education. Lady Bird donated funding on Saturdays as part of the Azalea 84 59 PALESTINE River originally covered 2- to 3- and 60 acres of land in Austin to establish the organization Trails activities.) Further north, the Neches ALTO 21 NACOGDOCHES million acres in the area now and later helped it find its current location, which has grown Henderson Department of Tourism River 69 known as the Piney Woods. It (http://visithendersontx.com) offers three 287 from 43 acres in 1995 to 284 acres. In 1997, the research center 7 is considered one of the most driving routes to explore Rusk County’s his- 227 was renamed the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. biologically diverse areas in tory and scenic beauty, highlighting crimson LUFKIN Lady Bird, who died in 2007, left a legacy that reduces 7 DAVY the world. To learn more, CROCKETT pollution, encourages environmentalism, preserves national clover, Indian paintbrush, coreopsis and CROCKETT NATL. visit www.nps.gov/bith. evening primrose. FOREST parks, protects native wildflowers, and renews urban areas. 16 17 WILDFLOWER TEXAS STATE PARKS and natural areas are located through- out the state and offer the possi- bility of seeing a variety of blooms. www.tpwd.texas.gov. The state’s Events national parks and forests also offer a variety of wildflower view- ing experiences. www.nps.gov.

FUN WITH FLOWERS. Wildflower season is always a magical time in Texas. To get the most out of a bountiful season of blooms, why not also make plans to visit one of the many festivals celebrating the state flower (and others)? We’ve rounded up some tried-and-true events, along with local trails to help you find the best wildflower drives.

CELEBRATING THE STATE FLOWER the state flower, the city also hosts Though the blooms themselves depend on rain and at least a the Bluebonnet little luck from year to year, one thing is certain each spring—you Trails Festival on can always count on a few wildflower festivals to make a welcome the third weekend appearance. in April. The event On the second weekend in April, Chappell Hill hosts its includes arts and annual Bluebonnet Festival, named the Official Bluebonnet crafts, food, music and children’s activities. Find information Festival of Texas by the Texas Legislature. The event features about the trails and festival from the Ennis Convention and live entertainment, historical tours, food and vendors from Visitors Bureau or www.bluebonnettrails.org. morning to early evening, when you’ll want to get out for a sun-

set drive of wildflower country. The surrounding area can put on an impressive show, and the local visitor bureau’s Wildflower DON’T FORGET THE DOGWOODS Watch website (www.visitbrenhamtexas.com/getaways/ It’s true that Texas has a lot of ground to cover when it comes wildflower-watch) points visitors to the most colorful spots. to wildflowers, but if you’re in East Texas, don’t forget to look up Not to be outdone, Burnet and Llano counties share the title in the trees, too. In Palestine, the dogwood trees put on their best of “The Bluebonnet Capital of Texas” and celebrate the annual show in late March and into April during the Dogwood Trails Burnet Bluebonnet Festival. Visitors can enjoy an air show, Celebration, which features a lively roster of activities including grand parade, carnival, car show, live music and entertainment, wine tastings, cooking classes, historical tours, train rides, a gos- street dances, a pet parade and more. The festival is usually held pel music festival and Easter celebrations. Tips on the best places on the second weekend in April to coincide with what is often the to see dogwood blooms can be found at Dogwood Bloom Watch peak of the Hill Country’s well-known wildflower displays. (http://dogwoodbloomwatch.blogspot.com), or find the local The Wine and Wildflower Trail also makes a great case for visitor center at www.visitpalestine.com for more information. visiting some of the Hill Country’s wineries at the height of About two hours south on U.S. 287 in Woodville, the bloom- spring scenery. From early- to mid-April, visitors can sample ing of the dogwood trees has been celebrated since 1940 and now wines at any of the area’s participating wineries (remember to spans three weekends of activities. In March, festivities begin bring a designated driver!), get discounts on wine bottles and with the Festival of the Arts and take home a packet of wildflower seeds as a reminder of the trip. continue on the last weekend of Tickets are available on the Texas Hill Country Wineries web- FOR MORE TEXAS EVENTS, March with events showcasing site at http://texaswinetrail.com/trails. If your journey takes you go to www.texashighways.com/ the area’s Western heritage. The to Fredericksburg, also plan to make a stop at the Wildflower events. To order a printed copy first week in April is the Dogwood Celebration at Wildseed Farms or join the fun at the of the quarterly Texas Highways Queen’s Weekend with a festival, Bluebonnet Tractor Ride, both during April. Events Calendar, go to parade, a 5K run, historical play, In North Texas, Ennis claims the state’s official “Bluebonnet www.texashighways.com/ booths and fireworks. Details can City” title and welcomes visitors to drive 40 miles of freepubs. It’s free! be found at www.tylercounty Bluebonnet Trails in the area. As part of this celebration of dogwoodfestival.org. 18 19 WILDFLOWER WILDFLOWERS Events On site

AUSTIN: National Wildflower Week at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, May. Texas Native Plant Week, October. TAKE TIME TO VISIT. There are a number of facilities and www.wildflower.org parks throughout Texas that preserve its native plants and BURNET: , April. www.bluebonnetfestival.org Bluebonnet Festival have display gardens or wildflowers. Most of the centers also CHAPPELL HILL: Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas, April www.chappellhillmuseum.org offer information to help people learn more about the state’s CUERO: Wildflower Bike Ride, April. www.wheelbrothers.com native plants. CUERO: Wildflower Tour, March–May. www.cuero.org EL PASO: Poppy Fest, April. http://archaeology.elpasotexas.gov LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER ENNIS: Bluebonnet Trails Festival, April. www.visitennis.org The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, a research unit of FORT WORTH: Prairie Day, May. http://brit.org the University of Texas at Austin, demonstrates the beauty and FREDERICKSBURG: Bluebonnet Tractor Ride, April. im­portance of native plants. Founded in 1982, this botanic garden www.rustyiron.org is dedicated to conserving native plants, especially endangered FREDERICKSBURG: Texas Hill Country Wine and species, conducting research and educating people about the Wildflower Trail, April. www.texaswinetrail.com importance of native landscapes. It displays 650 native Texas plant FREDERICKSBURG: Wildflower Celebration species in gardens, meadows and nature at Wildseed Farms, April. www.wildseedfarms.com trails. Explore the visitor gallery, café and GEORGETOWN: Red Poppy Festival, gift store, and obtain information about April. www.RedPoppyFestival.com how to plant and grow wildflowers. They HENDERSON: Rusk County Wildflower Trails, April. also have an online native plant guide http://visithendersontx.com to help with identifying wildflowers. KEMP: Wildflower Festival, April. www.cedarcreeklake.com ✽ 4801 La Crosse in Austin. LINDEN, AVINGER and HUGHES SPRINGS: 512/232-0100 Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival, April. www.wildflowers.org www.lindenwildflowertrails.net NATALIA: Bluebonnet Festival, March. Red Columbine WILDFLOWER CENTER http://cityofnatalia.com AFFILIATES AND PARTNERS PALESTINE: , March-April. Dogwood Trails Celebration The Armand Bayou Nature Center, founded in 1974, preserves www.visitpalestine.com 2,500 acres of wetlands prairie, forest and marsh habitats in Pasadena. SAN ANTONIO: , April. Fiesta Wildflower Ride Activities at the center include a once-a-month prairie wildflower­­ www.fiestawildflower.com tour and hayride to explore the transforming prairie landscape. TYLER: Azalea and Spring Flower Trail, ✽  March-April. www.visittyler.com 8500 Bay Area Blvd. in Pasadena. BEES, BUTTERFLIES and 866/417-3818 • www.abnc.org WOODVILLE: Tyler County Dogwood Festival, March-April. hummingbirds—our plant www.tylercountydogwoodfestival.org pollinators—are attracted to The Botanical Research Institute of Texas started in 1987 to wildflowers like lemonmint and house the Southern Methodist University Herbarium and has OTHER FLOWERS CELEBRATED: cardinal flower for their nectar. grown to include more than 1 million plant specimens, plus DALLAS: Dallas Blooms, February-April. www.dallasarboretum.org The tall flower stalk on the 125,000 books and journals. The institute has tours, shows exhibits and hosts events. HOUSTON: Azalea Trail, March. www.riveroaksgardenclub.org century plant attracts bats, birds and insects. Milkweed is ✽ 1700 University Drive in Fort Worth. NACOGDOCHES: , March-April. Azalea Trails • www.nacogdochesazaleas.com the host plant for the monarch 817/332-4441 www.brit.org butterfly. TYLER: Texas Rose Festival, October. www.texasrosefestival.com 20 21 MORE SITES TO VISIT: WILDFLOWERS AMARILLO: Wildcat Bluff Nature Center www.wildcatbluff.org ARANSAS PASS: Newbury Park Hummingbird Garden www.aransaspass.org On site ARLINGTON: River Legacy Living Science Center www.riverlegacy.org ATHENS: East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society www.easttexasarboretum.org AUSTIN Nature and Science Center www.ci.austin.tx.us/ansc The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute, established in 1974, BAY CITY: Matagorda County Birding Nature Center www.mcbnc.org has a desert botanical garden, cactus and succulent greenhouse, BAYTOWN Nature Center www.baytownnaturecenter.org interpretive exhibits and more than three miles of hiking trails. BEAUMONT: Tyrrell Park, Beaumont Botanical Gardens Spring wildflowers bloom late March through May. More wild- http://beaumontbotanicalgardens.org flowers bloom during monsoon season (July into August). BOERNE: Cibolo Nature Center www.cibolo.org ✽ 43869 Texas 118 near Fort Davis. CORPUS CHRISTI: South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature 432/364-2499 • www.cdri.org Center www.stxbot.org The Fredericksburg Nature Center boasts a unique blend of DRIPPING SPRINGS: West Cave Preserve www.westcave.org 11 habitats found nowhere else in Texas. Take a self-guided tour EL PASO: Chihuahuan Desert Gardens www.museum.utep.edu (pick up copies in the Park Office or find on the website). redbuds and native wisteria in the spring, cardinal flowers in the ✽ Inside Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. summer, gulf muhly in the fall and American beautyberry in winter. FORT WORTH Nature Center and Refuge www.fwnaturecenter.org fredericksburgnaturecenter.com ✽ 102 N. Temple in Diboll. HOUSTON Arboretum and Nature Center www.houstonarboretum.org 936/829-3543 • www.thehistorycenteronline.com Mercer Arboretum Botanic Gardens has 300 acres along HUMBLE: Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens www.cp4.hctx.net/mercer Cypress Creek with more than 20 acres of gardens, a walking trail TEXAS PARKS system, Remembrance Walk for memorials and honorariums, KERRVILLE: Riverside Nature Center www.riversidenaturecenter.org ponds, visitors center and a courtyard plaza. Texas State Parks offer a way to see the wildflowers from both KINGSVILLE: Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute ✽ 22306 Aldine Westfield Road in Humble. 713/274-4160 park roads and hiking trails. State parks and natural areas are http://ckwri.tamuk.edu www.hcp4.net/community/parks/mercer located throughout the state and present the possibility of seeing a LAJITAS: Barton Warnock Visitor Center variety of blooms, including beach evening primrose at Mustang http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/barton-warnock The Pineywoods Native Plant Center features 42 acres of Island SP, mountain laurels at Colorado Bend SP, Mexican gardens that offer a unique mix of uplands, mesic mid-slopes MCKINNEY: Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary redbud at Enchanted Rock SNA, golden phlox at Government www.heardmuseum.org and wet creek bottoms. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Canyon SP, and prairie spiderwort at Ray Roberts Lake SP. Visit Demonstra­tion Gardens has more than 200 species of wild­ NEW BRAUNFELS: Lindheimer Home www.nbconservation.org TPWD’s website, www.tpwd.texas.gov, or like it on Facebook flowers, trees and shrubs native to Texas and the Southwest. ORANGE: Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center to see updates. Texas Highways is your ultimate guide for ✽ 2900 Raguet St. in Nacogdoches. http://starkculturalvenues.org/shangrilagardens The state’s national parks also offer a variety of wildflower the great Lone Star State and its 936/468-1832 • pnpc.sfasu.edu SAN ANTONIO Botanical Garden: www.sabot.org viewing experiences. Look for ocotillo and yucca blooming in the People, Places and Wide-Open Spaces. SONORA: The Sibley Nature Center has 49 acres dedicated to educating spring and cenizo during the late summer at Big Bend National Eaton Hill Nature Center & Preserve www.eatonhillnaturecenter.com people about the flora, fauna and history of the region. Visit the Park. Visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park to look for low- Just $24.95 for a one-year subscription. center to see the exhibits, sit in the wildlife viewing area to watch SPRING: Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center www.hcp4.net/jones growing perennials hiding among the rocks, grasses and flower- (12 issues) birds and blooming flowers, and walk the nature trail. ing cacti. The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park has WESLACO: Valley Nature Center www.valleynaturecenter.org ✽ 1307 E. Wadley Ave. in Midland. recorded more than 70 species. Big Thicket National Preserve WICHITA FALLS: River Bend Nature Center Visit 432/684-6827 • www.sibleynaturecenter.org manages 112,000 acres with the potential to find hundreds of www.riverbendnaturecenter.org texashighways.com/subscribe or call 800-839-4997 The Texas Discovery Gardens in Dallas’ Fair Park features a wildflowers. Find more information on each park at www.nps.gov. The Lower Colorado River Authority’s McKinney Roughs (903-636-1123 from outside the U.S.) 7.5 acre botanic garden with 10 themed areas and the two-story WILDSEED FARMS near Fredericksburg grows Nature Park near Bastrop is a wonderful place to visit during Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House. It seeks to teach effec- and harvests wildflower seeds. With 200 acres tive ways to restore, conserve and preserve nature in the urban the spring. Explore close to 18 miles of hiking trails in the park of wildflower fields, it is hard to not stop for a environ­ment using native and adaptive plants. that in­clude wildflower meadows. Keep an eye out for agarita, visit. The Wildflower Market Center has walking ✽ 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. antelope horn and turk’s cap. Call 512/303-5073 or visit trails, pick-your-own bouquet fields, seeds 214/428-7476 • www.texasdiscoverygardens.org www.lcra.org. for sale, a gift shop and biergarten. texashighways.com/subscribe ✽ 100 Legacy Drive. The History Center collects, preserves and makes available the For more information about cities and attractions in 800/848-0078 history of eastern Texas, including gardens with native plants. See Texas, visit TravelTexas.com. www.wildseedfarms.com 22 23