One thing I really enjoy during this time of year and throughout the fall is the different flowers that come into bloom in Texas. I know people look at them and have thoughts of sneezing and wheezing and with my allergies I have every right to feel the same. The fact of the matter is I don’t. There is a subtle and sometimes dramatic beauty that changes throughout the growing season as they put on a grand performance, one that paints the landscape in magnificent colors.
Some of the first flowers to take stage around here are the Bluebonnets. This little blue lady has every right to be the show opener as the State Flower. These flowers spread through large fields as they mirror the blue sky above. In the Texas wind they nearly appear as endless waves. She is a young maiden who skips lightly through the spring fields. As she does, she gives off a radiance of rebirth and awakens the audience’s eyes to her playful flirtation. One will find a sizable playground of blue for your amusement perfect for a lover’s picnic. Make sure you bring your camera for this blue carpet star is not shy and loves to be in pictures with her admirers.
As spring turns to summer the landscape progresses into a mixed pallet of various plants battling for center stage. During this act on discovers the suitors, clowns and villains. The Hedge Binweed has a beautiful pink flower that scatters itself about. It’s a playful flower that takes over large hilly areas while amusing its spectators. Along with this jovial performer enters the blue, white, and purple wild onion blooms. Their aroma adds a distinctive flavor that spices up the act. Around a dark corner on a rooting tree stump a shady character creeps into sight. One must be careful not to touch this gentleman for he will sabotage all who come too close. He is a handsome but cruel individual strutting his small white flowers neatly tucked into a vest made of three shiny wax-like leaves. Mr. Poison Ivy creeps over the stage with plans to steal the show.
In the wake of all this action gallops a hero. He is one of my favorite performers. Arriving on cue in the early summer and performing well into fall his act blankets fields just like the Bluebonnet. He is clothed in colors that remind us of the Indians that use to call the plains, valleys, and hills of Texas home. The Indian Blanket, which is also known as the Fire Wheel, gives a burning performance of red and yellow as he takes control of the stage. Bees, butterflies, wasp, bunnies and birds will fly and hop giving their supporting roles as lovers racing through the prairie. Mixed in this dance are the White and Pink Clover. Eventually the clover and the fiery blanket compete for the lover’s attention as they both take center stage.
Just as one thinks that these small beautiful flowers have monopolized the stage they become the set for two of summer’s most awaited performers. Rising up from the multi-colored surroundings of red, yellow and white is a very strong and tall performer. These performers stretch their talents upwards towards the lights and then they take the audience by surprise with large yellow blooms as the Sunflowers greet the audience. It does not matter if these great performers stand alone or in a field nearly neck high, they demands attention. One will find abundance of life giving a supporting role to their act. Hummingbirds and finches fly in and out of these great fields. Then as one looks down towards the ground these giants provide a shaded refuge for those that cannot take the heat of the summer spotlight.
As the summer winds down and the third act of fall starts, the royal lady Thistle takes her proper place in the story. With colors of purple she looks over her kingdom as it prepares for the winter. She does her part by supplying seeds to many of her subjects before calling it a goodnight as the curtain lowers to a sold out show. Until next season she bids you farewell.
