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Posted: April 19, 2005
Today’s non-stop schedules may not allow the luxury of a day trip to Texas’
famous “hill country” to view the mass of wildflowers scattered for miles
over gently rolling hills, but don’t despair. Wildflowers abound in Plano,
dotting hillsides, hiking trails, parks and even construction sites with a
palette of rich colors and abundant photo opportunities.
Top locations for drive-by viewing include Springcreek Parkway, between
Jupiter and Parker Road (adjacent Collin County Community College),
Bluebonnet Trail, just north of Custer and Springcreek Parkway) and the
median at Springcreek Parkway and Coit Road. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in
far western Plano has pockets of wildflowers dotting the trails and
everything from vacant lots to construction sites to roadway medians will
garner drivers glimpses of beautiful Texas wildflowers.
Plano’s wildflowers are most often located along hillsides and in areas many
persons would consider too harsh for flowers to grow. Wildflowers
traditionally thrive in loose, graveled soil with excellent drainage,
accounting for their ability to coat hillsides and newly tilled construction
and roadway sites with blankets of color.
Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrush, Pink Evening Primrose, Daisy, Larkspur,
Black Eyed Susan, Poppy, Indian Blanket, Queen Anne’s Lace, Crimson Clover,
Asters and Bladderpods are but a few of the flowers currently on display.
Soon, rich groves of Mexican Hat will dot the hillsides and fields, with
summer escorting a new batch of rich, colorful flowers to brighten Plano’s
landscape.
Texas wildflowers start to appear in the last two weeks of March, peaking
during the first two weeks of April. The Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis),
the State flower, is especially noticeable along the highways and medians.
While there is no law prohibiting picking our State Flower, as is commonly
thought, there are laws against criminal trespass, so when stopping to take
photographs or walk through fields, make sure you are not on private
property.
Mother Nature has blessed Plano with abundant wildflowers for the enjoyment
of all. If you are tempted to pick wildflowers, take only a few and never
dig them up in clumps. Never drive a vehicle in the midst of them and take
care to minimally crush them if you pose children and pets in large
plantings. Often choice sites are already marked by pathways and seating
spots from fellow photographers, making it easy to navigate through the
fields of flowers with minimal damage.
The Texas Department of Transportation has a toll free number, with menu
options, which includes information about scenic wildflower locations in
Texas. Call 1-800-452-9292.
For photos of wildflowers spotted in Plano,
click here.
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