Rewilding My Lot

I now have a successfully self-seeding population of Texas Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) here, and since every plant produces dozens or hundreds of seeds, I can well afford to give away seeds.

It is important to let bluebonnet seeds mature on the plant — if they are harvested too soon they will not be viable. Once a seed pod is ripe enough, then the two sides of a pod crack open suddenly (audibly!) and with a twisting motion, seeds are hurled up to several feet away. This empty pod shows how twisted the pieces can be after release.

I collect surplus bluebonnet seeds from two sources. I’ve found a number of loose seeds on the sidewalk next to the meadow. Every dot on the photo below is a bluebonnet seed.

The other source is to cut down seed heads where one or more pods have already opened naturally. By doing this, I am assured that there are seeds on the ground to populate the meadow next year, and that the seeds I cut down are ready for use. Here’s one where just one seed remains for collection.

It’s an easy process to open up remaining pods and collect the seeds, if you’re willing to accept the occasional risk of exploding seed pods and having to locate the little missiles. I must say, though, that cats are not particularly helpful during this process.

The seeds that I have collected will be donated to local seed libraries, and also offered to my neighbors.