AUSTIN (KXAN) — While an arctic blast heads into Texas, the state’s beloved bluebonnets are expected to be resilient enough to weather the storm, officials with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center told KXAN Tuesday.
Earlier this month, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and KXAN viewers highlighted early bluebonnet blooms in Central Texas and at Big Bend State Park. Typically, the state flower blooms in late March and continues through mid-to-late April — but these early sightings doesn’t necessarily translate to an earlier peak bloom season, wildflower center experts told KXAN.
“The warmer temperatures at the start of February may have caused some bluebonnets to bloom early, but this doesn’t necessarily mean an earlier peak bloom season,” said Sophie Lemkin, a horticulturist at the center. “It’s common to see some rogue early bloomers in February, especially when temperatures reach the 70s and 80s.”
Similar to other flowering plants, Lemkin said bluebonnets bloom as temperatures change and the amount of daylight increases. With a cold snap heading through the state this week, she added many blooms will be delayed — but not permanently impacted.
That’s courtesy of bluebonnets’ ability to adapt to freezing temperatures and overall weather fluctuations. Given the latest cold front is expected to be short-lived, Lemkin said both blooming and non-blooming rosettes are anticipated to endure the weather pattern changes just fine.
As for when peak blooming season could arrive in Central Texas? This cold burst might actually help keep bluebonnets on track for a more typical springtime peak, but Lemkin said to never doubt Texas winters’ ability to keep people on their toes.
“February weather in Central Texas can be unpredictable, so it’s too early to determine when our peak bluebonnet season will be,” she added.
