In the springtime, classic Texas Bluebonnet portraits reign supreme as flower-loving folks visit their favorite city parks and pull over along highways to take annual family and individual photos with those beloved blue blooms.
We obviously adore bluebonnets as much as the next Texan, but we think that the countless other species of beautiful Austin wildflowers should get some selfie love, too. So here’s a challenge: for every bluebonnet photo you snap and share, try posting two or three shots with alternative Central Texas flowers, such as these 10 native beauties:
1.) Indian Paintbrush
2.) Indian Blanket
3.) Black-eyed Susan
4.) Drummond Phlox
5.) Pink Evening Primrose
6.) Common Sunflower
7.) Texas Lantana
8.) Texas Prickly Pear
9.) Red Poppy
10.) Texas Thistle
This list barely scratches the surface of all of the different types of Austin wildflowers you’re going to encounter out there. Be sure to keep an eye out for Mexican hats, Rain lilies, White prickly-poppies, Basket-flowers, Spotted bee balm, Prairie verbena, and Texas vervain, too.
As far as where to go to locate these natural beauties, you’ll definitely want to check out Austin’s many community parks, hiking trails, and roadsides. Zilker Botanical Garden and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center come alive with many different types of flowers and foliage in the spring. Both facilities maintain amazing walking trails and busy event calendars, so keep tabs on their current happenings for wildflower-themed programs.
And don’t forget Texas’ gorgeous state parks — you’re guaranteed to find tons of wildflowers there. Happy hunting!
Featured photo: Flickr user Derek Bridges, Creative Commons licensed.
