Rewilding My Lot

This was my first year to grow Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) and it has been an interesting learning experience. Soon after seeds were sown in the fall of last year, small leaf rosettes formed and they stayed that size through the winter. In early spring, the plants began to grow, and I had blooms from late February to early June.

I had so many Bluebonnet plants in my native wildflower meadow this spring that I don’t see any need to add any more seed myself for next year — I will just let the plants do their own seeding.

I was told that Bluebonnets release their seed explosively, and I did get to witness that. In this way, a single plant can disperse seeds several feet away to increase the future population.

If I were sowing Bluebonnet seeds myself for next year, I would do that sometime around September to November. However, if annual plants are left to self-seed, then obviously they choose their own timing.

I am beginning to see new little Bluebonnet plants sprouting up in the meadow area. These small plants should remain short until next spring, and even if they get a little nicked during mowing, that will not be a problem. So next year’s meadow is already forming!