Planting bluebonnet seed I

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PLANTING BLUEBONNET SEED I

BY JOAN HOWIE

“Why didn’t I plant that?” is the lament of many gardeners when they see blossoms in their neighbor’s yard. To avoid that complaint next March when bluebonnets are in full splendor, plant their seeds this month. This cold season annual must germinate in late summer and early fall, develop a good root system and form rosettes that will shoot up flowering stems when the weather warms. Persons who had bluebonnets this year will find the seeds already sprouting where they fell to the ground.
Only 20 of 100 untreated seeds c an be expected to germinate and they do so over a 30 day period but once a bed is established it will reseed for years. Rather than sowing wild seeds in a new area, however it is better to use commercial bluebonnet seed. These have been chemically treated, removing inhibitors in the seed coat that prevent it from taking up water to begin germination. Treated seeds germinate in 10 days rather than the months necessary for wild seeds to sprout and more of them will produce. An alternative is to use bluebonnet transplants when available.
Seeds should be sown in full sun in a well-drained area and barely covered with soil. They will not need fertilizer and should have water only when soil is dry to a depth of 1 inch. Seedlings should be protected from pill bugs and damping off fungi. Masses of one color provide maximum impact, rather than using a variety of colors. They can be interplanted with pansies or other annuals for winter long color. Longer blooming species will also help hide faded brown bluebonnet stalks as their seeds dry and produce next years seeds.
Most Texans know that the bluebonnet is our state flower but not everyone knows that five varieties are included:

Lupinus subcarnosus grows in deep sandy loam and is sometimes called the sandy loam bluebonnet. It doesn’t do well in clay soil. It is found from Leon County to LaSalle county and down to northern Hidalgo county. The plants leaflets are blunt, often notched, with silky undersides.

Lupinus texensis, the most famous species and the easiest to grow is seen in central Texas. Its leaflets are pointed and the flowering stalk is tipped in white.

Lupinus havardii, also known as the Big Bend or Chisos bluebonnet grows 3 feet tall. Found in the flats of the Big bend country, it usually has seven leaflets. This species is hard to grow outside the Big bend,

Lupinus concinnus is only 2 – 7 inches tall with flowers of mixed lavenders, white and rose. Called the annual lupine, it is found in the Trans-Pecos region.

Lupinnus plattensis comes from the north into the dunes of the Texas Panhandle. It is the only perennial bluebonnet texas has, growing about 2 feet tall. It is also called dune or plains bluebonnet and the Nebraska lupine.

Regardless of species, Texans must plant bluebonnet seed in early fall to enjoy their beauty when spring comes.