IN BLOOM

Texas Bluebonnets

Texas loves its wildflowers.  And what’s not to love?  Ditches full of Bluebonnet, Indian Paintbrush, Black-Eyed Susan, Lenten Rose, and Cornflower – a kaleidoscope of periwinkle, scarlet, pink, and gold.  The affect is stunning.  Of course, the Midwest has its share of wildflowers too.  Queen Anne’s lace creates snowy clouds, not long after the snow melts.  The Midwest doesn’t embrace its wildflowers like Texas does though.  Perhaps it’s Lady Bird Johnson’s legacy.  She put Texas wildflowers on White House china and suddenly, the world was enthralled.

Tim and I took a road trip recently to Fredericksburg, Texas.  The glory of spring filled the ditches – bright blossoms enjoying their moment before burnt by the summer sun.  Although Fredericksburg is a lovely old Texas town, we didn’t bother with the shops or German bakeries, we headed east to Wildseed Farm. It’s an amazing place.  Two hundred acres of wildflowers are cultivated and the seeds harvested.  Fields of bluebonnets and poppies were in bloom when we were there, as well as a meadow of mixed varieties.

Bluebonnets and Poppies

The visual display couldn’t help but remind me of the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands.  The gardens, located southeast of Amsterdam, near the North Sea coast, are surrounded by tulip fields in every shade of red, yellow and purple.  The gardens themselves are an opportunity for the talented local growers to show-off during blooming season.  The visual displays are extraordinary.  For centuries, Keukenhof was part of the estate of the Teylingen Castle.  In 1949, however, the Mayor of Lisse encouraged local flower bulb growers to create an exhibition, and the rest, as they say, is history.  The annual event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each spring.  

Fields near Keukenhof Garden, the Netherlands

My family and I spent Spring Break 2006 in the Netherlands.  (We were living in Poland at the time and the Netherlands was a bit closer than Panama Beach.)  We visited Keukenhof and were awestruck.  Whenever someone asks me what they should see when visiting Europe and, if they’re going in the spring, Keukenhof is always on the list.

These incredible displays remind me that I am not much of a gardener.  My mother is, always has been.  She instilled in me an appreciation, but definitely none of the skill.  I actually attended a class at the San Antonio Botanical Garden recently.  The class was especially for newcomers to San Antonio – what grows here and how.  The drought-tolerant species, which were the focus of the class, bear little resemblance to what grows in the Midwest.

Molly, John and I at Keukenhof, 2006

When I pointed out some of the wildflowers I recognized from our visit to Wildseed Farm to the instructor, she asked if I liked them.  When I said “yes,” she replied, “Great.  If you plant them, they’ll spread well.”  And if I don’t like them?  “They’re invasive.”  Perspective.

Texas sunshine is bringing heat and signaling summer’s arrival.  Many wildflowers won’t tolerate the temps.  I’ll have to wait another year for ditches full of rainbows.  Since I can’t manage a trip to the Netherlands every spring, Texas roadsides substitute nicely.