Emily De La Cruz
City:
Bryan
Crossroads:
Highway 6 and 290 going towards Houston Flower Types:
rain lilys,violet ruellia,fire wheels
Comments:
Beautiful color combination. Also a low growing dark purple flower I don't know what it is. Not as much of it as the previous three mentioned though.
7/19/2012
From:
Murry Grigsby
City:
The Woodlands
Crossroads:
Glen Loch Drive Flower Types:
gayfeather
Comments:
Traveling along Glen Loch Drive from South Panther Creek just as you leave The Woodlands and pass a car wash and day care center on your left there is a stip of gayfeather about two blocks long and some ten feet deep in full bloom. Under our rainy skies the purple spikes are very majestic looking!
7/8/2012
From:
Lei Bless
City:
Azle
Crossroads:
FM730/Veal Station Rd, Azle, TX Flower Types:
texas bluebells
Comments:
You can see it when you slowdown on the 6682 Veal Station Rd, Azle, TX 76020 today (6/15/2012). A few on the big deep pink Texas bluebells on the South side of the road. I have not see many around here and they are beautiful.
6/15/2012
From:
Bill Purcell
City:
Brady/Mason
Crossroads:
RR 386, RR 2618, Old Mason Rd. Flower Types:
many
Comments:
I headed out to West Texas over the weekend to photograph the eclipse, and en route, was able to do some exploring in the Hill Country and Permian Basin to see what the recent rainfall has done for the wildflowers.
Southern McCulloch County (Katemcy/Voca) has many large displays of plains coreopsis. At the intersection of RR 1851 and RR 1222, there's a great mix of basketflower, horsemint and coreopsis. Scores of hummingbird moths were buzzing around and nectaring from the blooms. On the SE side of Brady, there are large fields either side of TX 71 full of basketflower and blooming yucca. On US 377 south of town, there are excellent roadside displays of gaillardia, horsemint, coreopsis and mexican hat - particularly on the slopes either side of the San Saba River.
I took Katemcy Rd. and Old Mason Rd. toward Mason, and saw intermittent (but dense) fields of mixed wildflowers. As I reached RR 386, the scenery exploded with a vast expanse of blooms. The area surrounding the intersection of RR 386 and RR 2618 is a solid carpet of coreopsis, and many of the side roads in the area have excellent displays as well. Numerous other wildflowers are sprinkled in the mix, including phlox, vervain, sleepy daisies, lazy daisies, gaillardia and horsemint. Almost all of the fencelines along this stretch have a solid line of white brush which is blooming profusely with very fragrant flower clusters.
My latest images (including a small album of eclipse photos) can be seen here
5/23/2012
From:
Cal M
City:
NE of Mason in NE part of Mason county
Crossroads:
Ranch Road a1900 & 2618 Flower Types:
coreopsis
Comments:
For miles in any direction , whole hillsides of flowers. That inclusdes the 2 miles I traversed on Fly Gap RD, an extension to the east of RR2618. It goes several miles more to Pontotoc. Also a nice view available a very short distance up Spill Mine Rd, west of intersecting Ranch Roads
5/20/2012
From:
Murry Grigsby
City:
The Woodlands
Crossroads:
FM2621 and FM1155 Flower Types:
horsemint, white prickly poppies, thistle, tickseed, blanket flowers, cone flowers, daises
Comments:
05/18/2012 Wildflower report
The fields in Washington County are covered with horse mint but since its coloring is so subtle it is not a very showy display. This flower begs to be seen up close. Other than the horsemint, white prickly poppies and thistles the wildflower coverage is pretty spotty and the fields look a little dry. I did find a few nice photo-ops along FM2621 and FM1155 near Washington-on-the-Brazos that included blanket flowers, daisies, tickseed sunflowers and cone flowers. You can see the photos starting on row three of page 16 of this link.
I'm getting excited to see if the bluebells repeat their wonderful showing again this year around late June and early July? Fingers crossed!
5/19/2012
From:
Steven Schwartzman
City:
Austin
Crossroads:
Burnet Rd. (FM 1325) between Shoreline Dr. and Merrilltown Dr. Flower Types:
basket-flower, texas thistle, coreopsis, sunflower
Comments:
This stretch, especially on the east side of the the road, has lots of basket-flowers (Centaurea americana), Texas thistles (Cirsium texanum), and coreopsis (coreopsis tinctoria), along with some scattered sunflowers. You can park in the old Merrilltown Cemetery to get out and take a closer look.
5/18/2012
From:
Steven Schwartzman
City:
Round rock
Crossroads:
Southeast corner of Schultz Ln. at Louis Henna Blvd. Flower Types:
basket-flower, texas thistle, sunflower
Comments:
The large tract on this corner is heavily blanketed with basket-flowers (Centaurea americana) in their prime. Some dense stands of Texas thistles (Cirsium texanum) are mixed in, along with some scattered sunflowers.
5/18/2012
From:
Steven Schwartzman
City:
Cedar Park
Crossroads:
Brushy Creek Rd. just east of US 183 Flower Types:
mexican hat, coreopsis, texas thistle, horsemint, white prickly poppy
Comments:
The meadow at Brushy Creek Lake Park is covered with large and dense stands of coreopsis and mexican hat, and to a lesser extent Texas thistles. There are also some horsemints and white prickly poppies mixed in.
5/11/2012
From:
Gina Speer
City:
waxahachie
Crossroads:
the bike trail Flower Types:
first mexican hats
Comments:
mexican hats early this year.
5/11/2012
From:
Steven Schwartzman
City:
Austin
Crossroads:
St. Edward's Park on Spicewood Springs Rd. Flower Types:
indian blanket, horsemint, prickly pear, black-eyed susan, bull nettle, mexican hat
Comments:
The large meadow not far from the main parking lot on Spicewood Springs Rd. is filled with the wildflowers listed above and some others with the indian blankets being the most prominent.
5/7/2012
From:
Phil Brown
City:
Georgetown
Crossroads:
FM 1460 between town and CR 111. Flower Types:
indian blankets, and some mexican hats, horsemint and texas thistle
Comments:
Fabulous field full of indian blankets to the horizon. As solid with red and orange as Ennis was with blue. Good places to pull over. The Mexican Hats were in good shape today there as well for closeup photography. Many colors combine with red, yellow, purple, white and grasses of various kinds.
5/3/2012
From:
Murry Grigsby
City:
The Woodlands
Crossroads:
FM1488, US290, FM1155, FM2447 E. Main in Brenham, FM2193 Flower Types:
twenty four different flower types listed in comments
Comments:
April 29, 2012 Wildflowers in SE Texas
The smell of burned pine trees still hangs heavy along FM1488 from last summer's fire but Mother Nature is making great strides to take back the land. From Field Store to Hempstead there are several full fields of firewheels and coreopsis in bloom with many roadside surprises like the large patch of Meadow Pinks I spotted in a ditch. I'm not sure I have ever seen this star shaped wildflower before. See photo here
Before you think SE Texas is wall-to-wall wildflower coverage it is NOT! It actually is starting to look pretty dry and I wouldn't suggest that anyone drive miles and miles to see the wildflower display now but as a photographer I found plenty to shoot and enjoyed the drive as much as the bluebonnet drive in early April because of the variety and hidden gems that I found.
Is it just me or does the warm weather bring out the yellow and white wildflowers more than the blues and purples? The white prickly poppies are very abundant especially on the east side of Washington County along with the Texas thistle. The roads I traveled were FM1488, US290, FM1155, FM2447, US290, East Main in Brenham, TX105, FM2193 and FM1155. There were some nice roadside displays along TX105 between Navasota and Montgomery but I didn't stop to shoot them. Here is a list of the wildflowers I saw and I think I photographed most of them: bluebonnet, bull nettle, cardinal flower, Clasping-Leaf coneflower, coreopsis, Dandelion, day flower,
drummond?s phlox, fleabane, horsemint, Maryland Meadow Beauty, meadow pink, Prairie Bishops Weed, prairie brazoria, Queen Anne?s Lace, Rose vervain,
Sharp-Pod Morning Glory, Silver-Leaf Nightshade, spiderwort, Texas thistle, Tickseed sunflower, white prickly poppy and Wine Cup. I'm not sure I have ever seen a better variety of wildflowers in one short drive.
All the photos start on page twelve, row three, photo number four and go to the end of this gallery
5/1/2012
From:
Mary Stahl
City:
City: New Braunfels Crossroads: TX 123 and FM 477 to FM 466 Seguin to Gonzales
Crossroads:
City: New Braunfels Crossroads: TX 123 and FM 477 to FM 466 Seguin to Gonzales Comments:
Roadsides are very dense with yellow, purple, and white flowers. FM 477 and FM 466 such a beautiful tranquil country area to drive through.
4/28/2012
From:
Ken Daniels
City:
Ft Worth
Crossroads:
SH 59 to fm8110 Flower Types:
lace cactus, foxglove,antelope horn, skeleton weed, coneflower, lemonmint,pink evening primrose and roses
Comments:
This was on a sunday drive out to Lake Amon G Carter and out through Vashti to SH 148 to jack sboro and SH 199 to Ft Worth
4/27/2012
From:
Steven Schwartzman
City:
Austin
Crossroads:
McCallen Pass at Center Ridge Dr. Flower Types:
indian paintbrush, greenthread, missouri primrose, bluets, peppergrass, indian blanket
Comments:
The field on the southwest corner of this intersection is densely covered with wildflowers.
4/17/2012
From:
Phil Brown
City:
Marble Falls-Kingsland area
Crossroads:
Fairland Road aka CR 120 aka FM 1855, and Slab Road, aka FM 3404 and CR 307 Flower Types:
bluebonnets, indian blankets, white poppy thistles, blooming prickly pear, coriopsis and more
Comments:
Followed another's advice and took the roads named above. Not only are the fields plentiful, there are plenty of photographic "props": Fairland Cemetery, just west of US 281, is full of wildflowers and tall grass among the tombstones and you can walk right in (after parking at the locked gate). Please be respectful of the place. Also along Fairland, we found old farm buildings, rock formations and trains sitting on tracks. West of Kingsland along FM 3404 just before the "slab" (low-water crossing on the Llano River), look for longhorns on the west side of the road.
4/14/2012
From:
James Killen
City:
Houston
Crossroads:
Highway 6 between Houston and Waco Flower Types:
white poppies, buffalo peas, bluebonnets, indian paint brushes, indian blanket, thistle, goldenrods
Comments:
Very beautiful drive today, Saturday 4/14/2012. The rains have been most productive.
4/14/2012
From:
Rich Olivieri
City:
Ennis, Texas
Crossroads:
FM-813, Mach RD Flower Types:
bluebonnets, paintbrush
Comments:
Went to Ennis this past weekend. There were several really nice fields. Oddly enough some of the usually good routes were not doing as well as in the past. However, the exceptions to the usual really made up for it. The field along Mach Rd was probably the most dense and largest field I have ever seen in the Ennis area. Based on reports from the visitor center in Ennis, the blooms are still looking good, but if you plan to visit you should go now. A few photos of my trip:
Mach Road Panorama
Waves of Blue - FM-813
bluebonnet Pond Reflections
4/14/2012
From:
Michael Mallory
City:
Brenham, Whitehall, Willowcity Loop
Comments:
Brenham was the worst I have seen since drought. Old Baylor Park didn't have much. As a professional photographer I recommend Whitehall. Not as good as 2009 but large fields of bluebonnets. I had short time to scout because of checking spots of previous posts saying Brenham was good. Willow City was very good and maybe better than 2010. There was a lot of poppies. Mason area had a lot of bluebonnets almost as good as 2010 and maybe good for another week or so. Also if you go through Giddings they have the cheapest gas $3.59 at Buckees.
4/11/2012
From:
Bill Purcell
Crossroads:
Llano/Burnet Counties Flower Types:
many
Comments:
I had a couple enjoyable afternoons and evenings/sunsets in the Hill Country ... without further ado, here are the highlights:
- A couple of large fields full of mealy blue sage just east of Burnet on Hwy. 29 and CR 333.
- Fairland Rd. near Marble Falls. Thanks to the previous poster who recommended this road - wonderful drive with a great mix of blooms.
- Llano CR 307 west from Kingsland. I'd driven this road a few times in previous years and have never seen it this good - highly recommended!
- Llano CRs 413, 414, 414A ... I drove this in a big loop on Saturday and was so impressed that I drove it again on Sunday in the opposite direction. This is just the sort of scenery I enjoy most - much of it unfenced, open range with many broad, panoramic views and flowers/butterflies everywhere amidst the oaks. The aromas out there are almost overwhelming, and there are many perfect places to just stop, turn off the engine and enjoy the silence.
Updated images can be seen here
4/9/2012
From:
Kenny Fletcher
City:
Llano area
Crossroads:
hwys 16, 29, 2323, Flower Types:
bluebonnet, larkspur, indian paintbrush, indian blanket, primroses, poppies many others
Comments:
As good as I've seen in many years. Lots of spectacular views in the Llano uplift region.
1st drove through Belleville to Industry/Nelsonville/Bleiberville area and found a few really nice fields, but many on the decline so headed west to Llano uplift.
Beautiful views on Hwy 16 from Fredericksburg to Baby Head. The eagls nest on 29 is a nice place to stop and view the diversity of flowers along the fence lines and railroad tracks. Park Road 965 has some nice places to stop and around every bend is another color blast.
Hwy 2323 had our best stops, especially at the Prairie Mt School and community center.
4/9/2012
From:
A L
City:
Fredericksburg, Llano, Johnson City, Brenham
Flower Types:
bluebonnets, white prickly poppies, corn poppies, indian paintbrush, indian blanket, texas thistle, black eyed susan
Comments:
Went down the road to Enchanted Rock and around the Willow City Loop. ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! Both were could definitely be roads to heaven. The road to Enchanted Rock had dense blankets of bluebonnets along both sides of the road. Willow City Loop offered a wide variety of flowers (everything listed above and more probably). Very robust looking bluebonnets, much taller than the ones we saw along other roads. Hwy 29 from Burnet to Llano was also beautiful. Lots of nice thick mixed patches of flowers ( indian paintbrush, white prickly poppies, bluebonnets, indian blanket) along the road. Hwy 281 from Johnson City to Burnet was also good, saw a large patch of verbena and some other small mixed patches of indian paintbrush and black eyed susans. Close to Marble Falls we saw some red corn poppies occasionally. Didn't see much in Burnet. Stopped by Brenham as well and saw some nice mixed patches along Old Chappell Hill, but could tell that we missed the peak here. Hwy 290 from Brenham to Fredericksburg was ok, just some sparse mixed patches along the road. Passed by one incredible field of bluebonnets along 290 going west after Brenham, but can't remember exactly where. 4/6/12-4/7/12
4/9/2012
From:
Theresa Dimenno
City:
Llano
Crossroads:
Numerous Flower Types:
bluebonnets, white poppies (thistle), indian blanket, mixed varieties of yellow flowers
Comments:
Based south of Llano this past week for four days. Left on Thursday 4/5 and all areas traversed still looking great. Willow City Loop is spectacular, SH 16 south of Llano is amazing (especially a couple of massive white poppy fields). 962 off 71 to 3347 does not disappoint. Prairie Mountain is lovely and serene as always and loaded with bluebonnets. 152 to Castell is also quite nice. There had been a couple favorable reports for Baby Head Mountain north of Llano, but I was disappointed and did not take out my camera once. It's possible I never found the sweet spot, but feel the drive was a waste of time. This is certainly the year of the white poppy (thistle) and it has been a delight to photograph.
4/8/2012
From:
Carol Watkins
City:
Ennis
Crossroads:
I-45/287 Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
Went to bluebonnet heaven today - Ennis, Texas!! Go ASAP - in full bloom - stunning. Sugar Ridge Road a must-see. Unlike anything I've ever seen - acres of fragrant bluebonnets. Go to link below for info and maps.
http://visitennis.org/Festivals/Bluebonnet_Trails.html
4/7/2012
From:
Linda Holland
City:
Lubbock
Crossroads:
Hwy 16 Willow Loop and Ranch Road 965 Flower Types:
white prickly poppy, bluebonnets, indian paintbrush, prickly pear cactus,
Comments:
We traveled Hwy 16 out of Fredericksburg to see the beautiful flowering Willow Loop Road early on April 2, 2012. We turned onto Ranch Road 965 to see the Enchanted Enormous pink rock dome. The wild flowers on both sides of that 9 mile road were breath-taking and absolutely beautiful! If you have ever wondered what the Road To Heaven looks like, this has to be a close second!
4/5/2012
From:
Lena K
City:
Navasota - Whitehall
Crossroads:
FM 2988 Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
Take FM 2988 near Whitehall, down the road on the left there is gorgeous very dense field of bluebonnets
4/5/2012
From:
Ann Hanson
City:
Dallas
Crossroads:
SH408 between Kiest Blvd and I-20 Flower Types:
bluebonnets, paintbrush
Comments:
Lovely blue carpet on both sides of northbound and southbound SH408, with paintbrush and other closer to I-20. Flowers bloomed about March 22nd, still in full color on April 2. A fun addition to the daily work drive!
4/2/2012
From:
J W
City:
Fairland
Crossroads:
Fairland Road and Co Road 123 Flower Types:
bluebonnets, abbotts
Comments:
Burnet County - Excellent variety and coverage on park road 4 from 29 through 281 especially between Hoovers Valley Cemetery and Ebeling Lane. Very large bluebonnets on grounds of Longhorn Cavern State Park. Western stretch of Fairland Road has good coverage especially at intersection of Fairland Road and Co Road 123. Many in full bloom so be quick about your visit before the temperatures start to rise.
4/1/2012
From:
Pat Dubberly
City:
Lometa to Bend
Crossroads:
FM 580 west and FM 581 Flower Types:
indian paint brush and bluebonnets... daisy
Comments:
Take FM 581 fom Lometa towards Bend, TX. Also. Fm 16 from Cherokee to Llano.
4/1/2012
From:
Buck Pressley
City:
Near Round Mountain
Crossroads:
Highway 71 and Ranch Road 962 Flower Types:
bluebonnets mostly
Comments:
Take 962 off of Hwy 71 heading south. Turn right on RR 3347 then right on CR 309. That road will turn into CR 308 and it will take you back to 71. Some areas have heavy patches near the roads and others have large fields of flowers. Should not be a disappointing trip if you go soon and there will be very few cars on the road.
4/1/2012
From:
Reagen Ward
City:
CEDAR PARK
Crossroads:
281 & FM 4 Flower Types:
bluebonnets, paintbrush, poppies
Comments:
All along the way to Longhorn Caverns - enormous fields of flowers!
4/1/2012
From:
Charles Townsend
City:
Between Rule and Rochester, Texas -- Haskell County, Texas
Crossroads:
Tex Highway 6 and FM 2407, CR 151 Flower Types:
yellow evening primrose
Comments:
I found an area of yellow evening primrose and a very beautiful spiked white flower I do not know the name of.
I took these photos this morning early. Go North from Rule about six miles to FM 2407. Before you get to FM 2407 you will see some large sand dunes on the West side of the road covered with the yellow flowers. If you go past FM 2407 there are additional dunes just beyond this intersection on the West side of the road that are covered in yellow flowers also. At FM 2407 turn Left - you will be going West. There are a lot of white and yellow flowers on the South side of the road. Go about one mile and turn to the first dirt road to your left (South). This is CR 151. Follow this about one mile back to highway 6. There are numerous thick patches of yellow and white flowers to photograph. The morning is the best for this particular location. Watch out for electric fences along the sides of one of the pastures.
Also, about midway down CR 151 there is an another County Road going to the West - I do not know it's number but it is the only road going West on this stretch of road between Hwy 6 and FM 2407. Go West about one to one and a half miles. On the South side of the road is one of the thickest and most beautiful stands of Yellow primrose I have seen in a long time.
You can see the photos I took this morning at this link to the primrose gallery.
You can see all my wildflower photos from this year at my home page.
4/1/2012
From:
Terrie Cosby
City:
Brenham
Crossroads:
bluebonnet blvd. Flower Types:
bluebonnets, and indian paintbrushes
Comments:
Lots of traffic stopping on the east side of the highway. Huge open, hilly pasture of flowers perfect for pics. Also westbound.
4/1/2012
From:
Steven Schwartzman
City:
Luling to Goliad
Crossroads:
US 183 from Luling to Goliad Flower Types:
see comments.
Comments:
Dense roadside displays for much of the way from Luling to Goliad: white prickly poppies, indian blankets, bladderpod, Nueces coreopsis, bluebonnets, bull thistle, engelmann daisies, indian paintbrush, phlox, texas dandelions, herbertia, Texas vervain, standing winecups, mealy blue sage, greenthread, bladderpod, Berlandiera, spiderwort, mexican hat, blue curls.
4/1/2012
From:
Steven Schwartzman
City:
Goliad to Kenedy
Crossroads:
TX 239 between Goliad and Kenedy Flower Types:
indian blanket, greenthread, blue curls, standing winecup
Comments:
Great roadside displays most of the way, with some blanketing adjacent properties. The greenthreads turn whole fields yellow.
4/1/2012
From:
Jan Todd
City:
AUSTIN
Crossroads:
Willow City Loop and 1323 Flower Types:
bluebonnets, mexican poppies, paint brush
Comments:
We took 1323 out of Johnson City and then did the Willow City Loop yesterday on 3-31-2012. It was beyond spectacular. The loop had the best displays of bluebonnets I've seen in many years and the Mexican poppies were gorgeous.
4/1/2012
From:
Brittany Isbell
City:
Houston
Crossroads:
290 and Brookeshire exit. Flower Types:
bluebonnets and indian paintbrushes
Comments:
A field on the entry ramp from Brookeshire Exit. Its a really nice family farm with a field full of bluebonnets. The best on 290 from Houston to College Station.
3/31/2012
From:
Carol Watkins
City:
Llano
Crossroads:
Hwy 71 from Austin to Llano Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
3/30 Abundant bluebonnets along roadsides, some up into the fields. Thick and fragrant, especially the last few miles closer to Llano.
3/31/2012
From:
Darrel Ludwig
City:
Willow City
Crossroads:
Willow City Loop at TX 16 Flower Types:
white prickly poppy, bluebonnets, indian paintbrush, indian blanket, verbina, prickly pear cactus,
Comments:
Willow City Loop is Unbelievable! On State Highway 16 north of Fredericksburg and south of Llano. Have never seen so many flowers here before. It was breathtaking. There were fields completely covered with white prickly poppy like snow for miles and miles. And so many variety of flowers! This may well be the year of the century for wildflowers.
3/31/2012
From:
M. David Morales
City:
Wimberley
Crossroads:
281 & 1855 (Just north of Marble Falls) Flower Types:
bluebonnets, all types
Comments:
Best ever!
3/31/2012
From:
Yvette S.
City:
New Braunfels
Crossroads:
TX 123 and FM 477 to FM 466 Seguin to Gonzales Flower Types:
bluebonnets & their cousins
Comments:
The ranch fields along this stretch are so spectacular it can easily be the envy of any photograph in Texas Highways magazine. Lots of tourist cycling groups traveling along this route to be alert of.
3/30/2012
From:
Steven Schwartzman
City:
Austin
Crossroads:
Loop 360 at 2222 Flower Types:
gaura, engelmann daisy, indian paintbrush, dwarf dandelion, bluebonnet
Comments:
If you park at the shopping center on the northeast corner of 360 and 2222 you can get excellent views of the dense mixed wildflowers on the embankment of 360. There are other good colonies in the median of 360 at various places.
3/30/2012
From:
Kevin Sink
City:
Marble Falls
Crossroads:
bluebonnets, Paintbrush, Prickly Poppy, much more Comments:
County Road 122 going north off of 1431 just west of Marble Falls is a very good display. Beaucoup flowers carpet each side of road as you go north on 122. At T intersection with FM 1855 (also called Farland Road), go left and this road also has many excellent displays. Where 1855 intersects the old train tracks and Co Rd 123, there is a particularly nice display near and on train tracks, then a nice field of yellow flowers with some very old, rusty tractors. Continue on 1855 and it intersects back with 1431 near Kingsland.
3/30/2012
From:
Sharon Terry
City:
Bonham
Crossroads:
TX 121, TX 82, TX 91 Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
On TX 121 between Bonham and Randolph, on TX 82 between Bonham and Savoy exit there are bunches of bluebonnets; the Denison Dam on Lake Texoma has acres of beautiful bluebonnets and a few indian paintbrushes.
3/29/2012
From:
Murry Grigsby
City:
The Woodlands
Crossroads:
Washington County Flower Types:
bluebonnets, paintbrush, phlox, tickseed, poppy, vervain, groundsel
Comments:
March 26, 2012 Road Trip
Entering Washington County from the south via US290 and just past the Welcome sign and a small pond with dock I turned right on an unmarked dirt road and shot some brilliant God rays and a photogenic farm before returning to US290.
From US290 turn left on FM1371 then right on Gibbs Creek Road which is graded but unpaved but is worth the dust. Here is a sample
Turn right on Nicholson Lake Road another graded but unpaved road. Here is a sample
Turn right on Chadwick-Hogan Road to get back to FM1371 and then left on FM1155 to Chappell Hill. This loop was not solid wildflowers but there are some very good areas and some excellent morning photo ops.
Take FM1155 (Main Street) to the four-way stop and turn right on FM 2447 until you reach The Meadows of Chappell Hill (about five miles) on the left. This was the highlight of my trip since they have a field of bluebonnets, windmill, split rail fence, S-curve road down a wildflower lined road through a red covered bridge. Now what else could a photographer ask for? The drive in and out on FM2447 is very nice with lots of wildflowers.
Here is a sample
After retuning to the Chappell Hill four-way stop turn right on FM1155 the left on Myersville Road (just past Dairy Farm but on the left). This is another graded but unpaved road and is a little rough in spots but the change in elevations makes for some nice photo ops and there are fields of gold, blue and mixes. You will pass the old Providence Baptist Church with a few bluebonnets before you reach pavement again near Valley View. There are several nice bluebonnet fields before you reach TX105. Turn right and follow TX105 to FM1155 but if you make any stops be careful the traffic is heavy. Turn right on FM1155 left on FM1370 right on FM2627 right on FM1155 and left on FM912. These roads are all paved and there are many nice fields of wildflowers along this loop. Washington-on-the-Brazos is a nice stop to stretch your legs but just small patches of flowers.
Here is a sample
Next turn left on Jensen Road right on Bosse Road left on Whitman Road left on Llewellyn Road. These are all graded but unpaved roads so things are a bit dusty. The wildflower displays are not solid but there are some very nice fields along the way.
Here is a sample and Here is another sample
Turn left on FM1155 then right on Felder Road left on Allwise Road and right on Old Plantation Road. Again these are graded but unpaved roads and the displays are a little sparse until you get almost to Old Plantation Drive and you also pick up pavement here again.
Here is a sample
You can turn left on FM1155 and go back through Chappell Hill to US290 of turn right on FM1155 and follow it back to TX105 depending on how you need to go home? If you are a photographer this trip is about 200 miles and takes about six hours with a couple breaks. If you are just wildflower peeping I would estimate less than four hours. You can see all of my photos from this trip starting with the second photo on page eight of this gallery.
Here is a direct link to page eight
3/29/2012From the moderator:
As always a fantastic report! The pictures for each sighting are extremely helpful! Thanks Murry!
From:
Mike Goodrich
City:
Corsicana
Crossroads:
Highway 31 Flower Types:
bluebonnets & indian paintbrush
Comments:
Driving into Corsicana from the east on Highway 31 saw several fields full of bluebonnets. Also many patches along the side of the road.
3/29/2012
From:
Cliff Saxon
City:
Georgetown
Crossroads:
SH 29 and FM 2341 Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
Yesterday 3/28/12 followed instructions that I read on this site earlier last week and was pleased with the results. 3/12 miles West on Burnet on 29 turn right on 2341 that leads to Canyon Lake. Starts out slow but builds to some pretty displays. 2341 dead ends at Canyon Lake State Park. Nice clean restrooms. Leave park on 2341 and after a couple miles turn right on CO114. Saw some fields on the lake side that stretched as far as you could see.114 will take you back to 29. Turn left toward Burnet and go a couple of miles then turn right on Park Rd.4 bluebonnets on the park grounds are plentiful.
3/29/2012
From:
Kevin Sink
City:
Kingsland
Flower Types:
bluebonnets, paintbrush, many others
Comments:
All side roads around Kingsland have beautiful displays at peak. Very nice displays on an old abandoned railroad track that runs through town. Outstanding!
3/29/2012
From:
Mb Hooter
City:
hill country
Flower Types:
all types
Comments:
I just returned from a long day trip. Started at Canyon Lake before daylight, drove to Mason to James River Rd. It was nice; however, it does not compare to 2010. There were more flowers along the road getting to James River Rd. than on the road itself. But, as soon as you turn onto the road, you can smell the flowers. WONDERFUL. From there, I traveled from Mason to Llano - the drive is wonderful with many, many very thick spots of bluebonnets. Drove north of Llano to CR 216. The north end is very nice and I got lots of pictures. It is a nice quiet drive. Then South to Altaus Davis Rd. and CR3347. It was nice but not near as good as Llano area. I truly believe the bluebonnets in the Llano are are larger and brighter. Overall, it was a great day.
3/28/2012
From:
Elizabeth Hilborn
City:
Lavon
Crossroads:
205 to 78 almost to Lake Lavon Flower Types:
tons of bluebonnets
Comments:
They are far enough off the road so you won't get run over, beautiful area close to Rockwall
3/28/2012
From:
Lisa Sivils
City:
Katy
Crossroads:
290, Brenham, 50, 390, Washington on the Brazos, FM 1155 Flower Types:
bluebonnets, indian paintbrush, dianthus
Comments:
Lots of bluebonnets along 290 from Hempstead to Brenham. The fields at Washington on the Brazos were beautiful with bluebonnets, indian paintbrush, and a few others. FM 1155 was beautiful from Washington on the Brazos to Chappell Hill.
3/28/2012
From:
Charles Townsend
City:
Llano, Pontotoc
Crossroads:
Highways 71. Highway 16 Flower Types:
bluebonnets, white prickly poppies, yellow evening primrose, smaller amount of indian paintbrush
Comments:
The flowers on Highway 16 South of Llano and Highway 71 between Llano and Brady were tremendous. The dates for these sightings are 3/23/2012 through 3/25/2012.
The flowers at the ruins of the stone building in Pontotoc were very nice. There was a good carpet of mostly bluebonnets and yellow evening primrose with some white prickly poppies scattered throughout. The old stone building makes an excellent backdrop for photos.
Just to the northwest of Pontotoc on Highway 71 is a very large field of bright yellow flowers. I do not know the name of this species of flowers but it is very beautiful. There is a lone tree in the field just across the fence.
South of Llano on highway 16 the roadsides are covered with bluebonnets, prickly poppies and other flowers. There are numerous displays all the way to the Enchanted Rock turnoff. There is a field of white prickly poppies on the West side of the road that is stunning; it is like the field is covered with a white blanket. I am going to to guess this is about 5-6 miles south of Llano on hwy 16.
Some of the roadsides in this are are narrow, but if you slow down and look carefully, you can find some roadsides that have plenty of room to park on and still remain safe from traffic.
The best times to photograph these locations is early morning or late evening. The light always seems best from sunup to two hours later and two hours before sundown to just after sundown.
You can see my photos at www.longskyimages.com. The gallery is the first one on the featured page. Or you can see the gallery alone here at this link
3/28/2012From the moderator:
Great report! Thanks Charles!
From:
Steven Schwartzman
City:
Johnson City
Crossroads:
US 290 just east of US 281 Flower Types:
prairie verbena
Comments:
On the south side of US 290 there's a large field just covered with prairie verbena (Glandularia bipinnatifida).
3/27/2012
From:
Kerry Peyton
Crossroads:
FM 462 and FM 472 Flower Types:
red prickly poppy
Comments:
On FM 462 going East just before Bigfoot, TX (Frio County) there are red poppys on both sides of the road. You usually see one in a field of white. These are all red and thick.
3/27/2012
From:
Kelly Jakus
City:
Cedar park
Crossroads:
Discovery blvd across from library Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
Tons of bluebonnets in the empty lot across from public library
3/27/2012
From:
Sander drummond
City:
Brenham
Crossroads:
Hwy. 105 northeast from Brenham, turning right onto FM 2193 and then FM1155 (to Chappell Hill) Flower Types:
bluebonnets, indian paintbrush
Comments:
Nice photo op outside of Brenham (on Hwy. 105 heading toward Navasota: Texas longhorns grazing in bluebonnet field. More sightings of bluebonnets and indian paintbrush on FM 2193, which heads over to FM 1155 (going down to Chappell Hill). Beautiful drive.
3/27/2012
From:
Douglas Steger
City:
Llano, Pontotoc
Crossroads:
HWY 29, HWY 2323, HWY 71 Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
Trip to Llano was very productive this weekend! One of the best displays in recent memories. My photos may be seen here
3/26/2012
From:
Steve Fontenot
City:
Humble
Crossroads:
1155 & Harry Franklin Lane Flower Types:
bluebonnets & indian paintbrush
Comments:
Beautiful field - must turn on Harry Franklin Ln to see it
3/26/2012
From:
Lin Joy
City:
San Antonio
Crossroads:
Hill Country Village at 281 Flower Types:
bluebonnets and all their cousins
Comments:
You MUST drive slow through this neighborhood between 281 and Blanco, north of Bitters, south of the Hollywood Park town. Enter at Oak Shadows at 281, go straight thru the 4-way stop. Speed limit is 25 to 30 and lots of deer - so watch close. Lovely estates, large houses with entire fields for front yards filled with wildflowers. Be careful if you pull off to take photos as the Hill Country Village police are super vigilant. Pull off the road completely and no blocking the driveways. Nice "In the city, but does not feel like it" drive; can be done in 15-30 minutes or so, depending on photo stops.
3/26/2012
From:
Nancy Nelson
City:
Iowa Park
Crossroads:
Hwy 287 and FM368 Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
Lovely bunches of bluebonnets in Iowa Park on the side of the highway. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL
3/26/2012
From:
Susan Crawford
City:
Waco
Crossroads:
FM933 from Lakeshore Dr. in Waco To FM 1858 near Gholson Flower Types:
bluebonnets, indian paintbrush and pink phlox
Comments:
Good displays along roadsides and in several large fields. Lovely drive with rolling hills.
3/26/2012
From:
Isabel M
City:
GARLAND
Crossroads:
MILLER AND GEORGEBUSH Flower Types:
bluebonnets
From:
Harley Mike
City:
Granbury
Crossroads:
North of Llano Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
Hopped on the bike and went looking for large fields of bluebonnets on 3/23. Going south on 16, a little over half way between San Saba and Llano the show begins. Both sides of Hwy 16 are covered in bluebonnets nearly all the way into Llano. Not sure what it was like on south of Llano as I turned east towards Burnet and didn't see many out that way.
3/26/2012
From:
John Harding
City:
west of Independence
Crossroads:
Wiliiam Penn road between 105 and 390 Flower Types:
several large fields of bluebonnets
From:
Audrey Markiton
City:
Goliad Texas
Crossroads:
Fannin Monument & Texas State Park Flower Types:
indian paints, blue bonnets,
Comments:
Inside the Texas State Park is a beautiful field but at the Fannin Mounument is an utterly gorgeous field that is absolutely perfect for pictures. A small dirt path has been made for a small sitting spot to be surrounded! Don't miss them.
3/26/2012
From:
Wild Flower Bill
City:
Near Navasota
Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
HWY 105 between Conroe & Navasota
3/26/2012
From:
Julie Alexander
City:
Ennis
Crossroads:
bluebonnet trails Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
We went to the bluebonnet trails today and I would have to say they are at peak! I don't have words to describe how beautiful they were and the fragrance was so wonderful. The best areas are along trail #3 along Sugar Ridge Road. I would think next weekend will also be good. If you are in the Dallas area and want to see wonderful bluebonnets, this is a must. As good a show as the hill country would be, I would guess they are about 3-4 weeks early this year. Don't wait for the Ennis bluebonnet Festival as they will probably be gone by then. This year is the best I have ever seen!
3/25/2012
From:
Rich Oivieri
City:
Llano
Crossroads:
Many - SH-16, SH-29, CR-216, CR-215, RR-3347 Flower Types:
bluebonnets, phlox, milk vetch, white prickly poppy, yellow groundsel
Comments:
(Saturday 3/24/2012) Llano seems to be the center of the wildflower explosion in the Hill Country. Roadsides rule right now in all of the areas I saw today. However the roadsides are thick and wide with many spots encroaching into fields beyond fence lines.
The bluebonnets along roadsides are in full bloom. Saw a few seedpods, but only on close inspection. I would say the roadsides will likely peak overall this coming week.
They are not all the same, so some wll peak later than others. And I feel they will still look good by this coming weekend - especially for morning and evening landscape shots.
Fields are coming along, but not completely filled in yet. The one field at Babyhead MT was probably the largest solid field. Other fields have large stretches broken up through the field. The problem I had in judging fields is that I could see clumps of bluebonnets blooming out in most fields, some even had large patches and stretches.
The question is whether there are any other plants yet to shoot up bloom stalks. My favorite roads were CR-216 and RR-3347. For all the roads and photos see: Llano center of Wildflower Explosion
3/25/2012
From:
Vasu Deshpande
City:
Bellville and Industry
Crossroads:
Route 159 Flower Types:
bluebonnets and indian paintbrush
Comments:
Magnificent field of indian paintbrush between Bellville and Industry on route 159. Several fields of bluebonnets and a fantastic field of mixed flowers on the same road.
3/25/2012
From:
Don Wilson
City:
Lampasas
Crossroads:
Hwy 281 and Naruna Road (FM 1478) Flower Types:
bluebonnets, indian paint brush, toadflax and more
Comments:
Its absolutely lovely drive down Naruna Road for about 5 miles, then turn around go back to Lampasas and have lunch at the grand Historic Hostess House in the park by the beautiful spring fed pool. They have a lovely deck.
3/25/2012
From:
Jim Herman
City:
Innisfail, Alberta, Canada
Crossroads:
Willow City Loop a few miles west of Johnson City Flower Types:
blue bonnets, many more i don't know the names of
Comments:
Unbelievable quantity of several different kinds of flowers, white, blues, yellows, oranges, some fields completely covered. We did this yesterday (March 24). Combine the flowers with the topography, this is the most beautiful drive we have ever done. There were hundreds of sightseers all along this 13 mile stretch. Flower lovers, don't miss it!
3/25/2012
From:
Don Weeks
City:
Dallas
Crossroads:
Near Joe Pool Lake along Lake Ridge Pkwy & Mansfield Road Flower Types:
bluebonnets
From:
Jack Thielepape
City:
Poteet, Rossville, Natalia, Devine, LaVernia, New Berlin
Crossroads:
Jett Road, SH16, FM476, FM2504, CR 777, CR7701, FM775, Church Road Flower Types:
many
Comments:
Did a 12-hour drive yesterday along some of the same roads taken by Bill Purcell earlier and the wildflower mix is colorful, abundant and very plentiful! Many huge fields to see especially on FM476 west of Poteet to Rossville, FM2504, County Roads 7701 and 770 east of Devine, on FM775 near LaVernia and especially in the New Berlin area (take some of the local roads there for up-close viewing), and Church Road southeast of New Berlin. Best time to go is now especially to see the sandyland bluebonnets in with all the rainbow of colors!
3/25/2012
From:
Elizabeth Joslin
City:
Quitman
Crossroads:
Sulphur Springs TX to Lindale TX - Backroads Flower Types:
grape hyacinth, bluebonnet, drummond phlox, ragwort, indian paintbrush, bachelor button, yarrow, crimson clover, oxalis, iris and more.
From:
Nancy D
City:
Mason
Crossroads:
RR2389 James River Rd Flower Types:
bluebonnets, groundsel, lambs eye, phlox, prickly poppies, toad flax, spiderwort, winecups,
Comments:
The James River Rd is a great drive. Although part of it is improved gravel, it was wonderful to see all the little brooks with water and we drove as far as the Llano River. Some of the hills are blue with flowers. The lambs eye make other pastures bright yellow. We loved the combo of flowers and great rocks. Hwy 87 from Mason to Brady was really beautiful as well. Drive it soon, beginning to seed.
3/24/2012
From:
Lauren R
City:
Devine, TX
Crossroads:
County Rd 7711 Flower Types:
bluebonnets, indian paintbrush, white prickly poppies and more
Comments:
Large fields of bluebonnets, indian paintbrush and other wildflowers along CO 7711 and other rural roads just southeast of Devine, TX.
3/24/2012
From:
Phong T
City:
Brenham
Crossroads:
FM 389 and Tigerpoint Road Flower Types:
bluebonnet
Comments:
From 290 West, make left turn on FM 389. Keep going for about 2 miles or so. Tigerpoint Rd is on your left. The field is right at this corner.
This is the only field with gorgeous bluebonnet that our family enjoys very much this year (within a reasonable drive from the Houston vicinity due to the high gas price this year).
On the way back to Houston, we noticed the bluebonnet at the Texian Ranch isn't that great this year. Back in 2006, this place was really awesome.
3/23/2012
From:
Eileen T
City:
San Marcos
Crossroads:
I-10 and 90 Flower Types:
bluebonnets, indian paintbrush
Comments:
Drove from Luling to Houston last week. The flowers were out on both sides of highway. At Weimer they were especially bountiful. Should be great this weekend.
3/23/2012
From:
Carol Hibbs
City:
Wichita Falls
Crossroads:
Highway 287 between Henrietta and Bowie Flower Types:
bluebonnets
Comments:
Lots of blueblonnets - indian paint brush just starting. The wildflowers are going to explode with this weekends temps.
3/23/2012
From:
Carol Jeffreys
City:
Sachse
Flower Types:
bluebonnets and groundsel
Comments:
Meritt Rd is in bloom with bluebonnets! McKerry Road is loaded with groundsel on your way to Murphy Target.
3/23/2012
From:
Sue W
City:
Willow City Loop all the way t o LLano on RT 16
Crossroads:
You can go all the was to Mason, come back through castell on 152 into Llano and then take 2323 to K Flower Types:
bluebonnets, white poppies, paint brush, phlox
From:
Rich Olivieri
City:
Mason, Llano, Willow City Pontotoc and others
Crossroads:
Many Flower Types:
bluebonnet, texas toadflax, low bladderpod, phlox and others.
Comments:
Friday (3/16/2012), I ventured out very early to scout a representative sample of routes in the Hill Country. I returned after driving through 9 towns, 6 counties and over 400 miles. It was cloudy and drizzly at times so not the best day for photographs. What I saw was like nothing I have seen in 11 years of hunting Texas wildflowers. I should have seen a few early bluebonnet blooms and mostly large rosettes getting ready to bush up and bloom. Instead I saw fully bushed up plants with lots of early blooms and a few already maturing. In addition, I saw the typical late February ? early March blooms ? Texas redbud, groundsel, phlox, scrambled eggs, milk vetch, bladderpod, yellow primrose, white prickly poppy, and peppergrass only in greater numbers. Plus a new performer taking center stage in field after field ? texas toadflax. texas toadflax is a lavender blue wildflower with a thin stem topped with delicate clusters of flowers. It was covering many of the flat open fields everywhere I went in the Hill Country. With the right light it should make for a good photo opportunity. The sons of bluebonnets have brought along many other friends this year so they are having to share the limelight. This is going to produce a very different wildflower experience than in past years. For those wanting to see that solid blanket of just bluebonnets will have to search far and wide
The early bluebonnet blooms are primarily along the roadsides, but are also beginning to encroach beyond the fences and into the fields which are already dominate by other wildflowers. The coverage along the roadsides is solid in many stretches but not continuous. So you will drive down the road for a mile and only see a sprinkling of bluebonnets or none at all. Then you will come across a stretch of solid bluebonnet (mixed with some other wildflowers) for a quarter mile then another stretch of just green or some other wildflower. In 90% of the roads I traveled it was very green painted with lots of color. A fair number of dead oak trees, dead brush and grass give evidence of the damage from the severe drought. All in all the Hill Country is alive and well with plenty of color from the explosion of wildflowers. If you love all wildflowers then this is the spring for you! If you want to collect photos of different wildflowers then get your camera ready and stock up on digital cards.
Detailed report with roads and photos can be read here: They're Early and They Brought Freinds!
3/22/2012
From:
Theresa Dimenno
