Central Texas wildflowers do not disappoint
By JULIET BRISKIN | Country World Central Texas
Springtime in much of Texas is wildflower season and this year a wide section of the state is awash in vibrant colors. If you are looking for someplace to view the flowers, other than the side of the highway, you are in luck. For instance, in the Hill Country, east of Fredericksburg on Highway 290, a wide variety of wildflowers pepper the fields of Wildseed Farms. And in Central Texas, the Bluebonnet Trails near Ennis are covered in floral beauty.
Wildseed Farms is the largest family owned working wildflower farm in the nation and April 7-22 the farm hosted its Annual Wildflower Celebration. According to John Thomas, founder and president, "over 100,000 people visit the grounds during the annual celebration." Each weekend the farm held wine tastings from Hill Country wineries and live musical entertainment.
The farm features 217 acres of of Texas bluebonnets and other wildflowers, self-guided walking trails, a picking area, gift shop, and nursery selling native and non-native plants. Also on site is the Brewbonnet Biergarten where you can purchase drinks and snacks or bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while viewing the wildflower fields. The farm is open daily and admission is free. For more information call 830-990-1393.
The Ennis Garden Club hosts its annual Bluebonnet Trails Festival the third weekend in April. The festival takes place in downtown Ennis and this year the garden club is celebrating 50 years of its annual Ennis Bluebonnet Trails. At the festival there were vendors from all over Texas selling everything from homemade soaps and potpourri to t-shirts and yard ornaments.
According to Sandy Anderson, chairperson of the festival, approximately 100,000 to 150,000 visitors drive the trails during April. The Cochina Prairie, 30 acres of Blackland prairie, is where the first bluebonnet trails in Texas began in 1951. Over the years the trails have expanded beyond Cochina Prairie and now streach some 41.8 miles. "Along our trails here, said Anderson, we can have fields that are absolutely hard to tell if it is water or flowers."
There are over 200 species of plants and flowers in the Cochina Prairie and the area was set aside by the Ennis Natural Area Conservation Association and the Ennis Garden Club to never be touched. On June 18,1997 Govenor George W. Bush named the trails the official Bluebonnet Trails of Texas.
The garden club members regularly drive the trails to make sure they have the very best trails mapped and maps are available at the Visitors Bureau in Ennis. Bluebonnets are in bloom for four to five weeks and during the blooming season there is always at least an hour drive providing exceptional views of the flowers. The club also provides a step-on guide for bus groups coming into town. The tours can be arranged ahead of time by calling the Visitors Bureau at 972-878-4748.
The number of wildflowers fluctuate due to the rain and how they are cared for and this year there is about a 20 mile area that "provided absolutely beautiful and as georgous flowers as they have ever seen," said Ms. Anderson.
Bluebonnet City Park in Ennis is another highlight. Located off the 287 by-pass, the park has bluebonnets growing along the banks of the lake and picnic areas are available for visitors to come and enjoy an afternoon.
