To help maintain more than 800,000 acres of highway right-of-way across the state, the Texas Department of Transportation buys and sows nearly 30,000 pounds of wildflower seed each year. In addition to making our highways look great, the flowers help reduce maintenance and labor costs by encouraging the growth of native species that need less mowing and care. The native grasses and flowers also help to conserve water!
According to Texas Highways magazine March, April and May are prime blooming months in Texas. Dogwood
festivals in Woodville and Palestine celebrate the season with special events
usually held on the last two weekends in March and the first weekend in April.
Bluebonnets, too, are in their glory all during April. One of the oldest
bluebonnet trails is in Ennis, featuring more than 40 miles of well-marked
routes. Trails in Washington County are charted from Brenham and Chappell Hill,
while La Grange offers bluebonnet trails in Fayette County. Farther west, the
Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail loops through the scenic Hill Country, usually
on the first two weekends in April. In Northeast Texas, a signed wildflower
route on the last full weekend in April showcases dozens of beautiful wild
species between the towns of Avinger, Hughes Springs and Linden. A floral treat
in mid-March is the Houston Azalea Trail, when the cultivated, manicured
gardens of some of the city’s prestigious homes are open to the public.
Here's a guide to help you identify some common Texas wildflowers.
http://takecareoftexas.org/hot-wire/identify-common-texas-wildflowers
