Summer is approaching and people are going to be spending more time outside, which means it’s the perfect time to start beautifying your yard. 

Texas has a rich and diverse array of native flowers that can help our ecosystem and look beautiful all at once. During the spring and summer, native wildflowers bloom across the state with breathtaking displays of color. From the iconic state flower, the bluebonnet, to lesser known species, let’s dive into some of nature’s greatest gifts. 

Bluebonnet

As the Texas state flower, blue bonnets are an obvious choice. Around March to May, these beautiful blue wildflowers start popping up along the highways and painting the fields a vibrant blue. They’ve adapted to live in dryer climates. They’re resilient and can thrive in many soil types from the coast to sandy hills to red dirt. Bluebonnets are only one kind of lupine flower and lupines come in other colors such as pinks, purples, and yellows. 

Indian Paintbrush

Another well-known wildflower commonly found across the state. They bloom from April to June and are often found growing alongside bluebonnets. With its striking red, orange, or yellow petals, this plant adds a burst of color to meadows and open fields. 

Coneflowers

Texas is home to many species of coneflowers. They come in vibrant shades of purple, reds, yellow, and brown-gold. They’re called cone flowers because of how its daisy-like petals are angled downward from its dark center. The flowers are also referred to as Mexican Hats because of their shape. They are excellent for pollinators and they bloom all season from May to August. They’re drought tolerant and can add a little bit of Texas flare to any garden. 

Indian Blankets 

These beautiful flowers have the same warm color palette as the Indian Paintbrush, but the two are unmistakably different. Indian Blankets are also referred to as firewheels because of the dark red center, vibrant red petals, with bright yellow tips. The contrast of the red and yellow creates a striking flower that’s hard to miss. They will attract butterflies and other pollinators to your gardens. 

Drummond’s Phlox 

If you’re looking for something sweet and fragrant, Drummond’s Phlox is an excellent choice. They grow in clusters of small flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. Some are solid colored while others may have white in the center of the petals. They grow in meadows, fields, woodlands, and along highways. They’re also great for floral arrangements because of their strong sweet smell. 

Hydrangea 

Hydrangeas are flowering shrubs but only some species are cut out for Texas heat. French Hydrangeas are the traditional hydrangea seen in decor with its beautiful round clusters of pale blue, purple, pink, or white flowers. You can even alter the color of the blooms by altering the pH of the soil and the aluminum levels. Though they’re beautiful, it may take someone with a true green thumb to keep them happy in this climate. They tend to grow better in northern states.  Oakleaf Hydrangeas are native to the southeastern U.S and are much easier to keep around. They grow large cone shaped bundles of white or even pale pink flowers. They’re perfect for the area. No matter what species of hydrangea you chose, make sure they have enough room to grow. Oakleaf hydrangeas can grow up to 4-7 ft tall while others like PeeGee hydrangeas (another great choice for this climate) can reach almost 15 ft tall. 

The spring and summer seasons in Texas offer magnificent displays of native flowers that reflect the state’s natural beauty and resilience. From the calming blues of bluebonnets to the fiery indian blankets, native flowers bring joy and a sense of connection to the diverse ecosystems of Texas.