Washington County - Wildflower Watch

Wildflower Watch

Input from visitors and area residents is welcome and encouraged! Email us at info@brenhamtexas.com or call and give us a sighting report on wildflower blooms spotted around Washington County.

To request a Bluebonnet Trails map contained in our Visitor's Guide, click here. Or you can pick one up at our Visitors Center or ask for a guide at one of the hundreds of member businesses around Washington County.

In addition, check out the great Bluebonnet and Texas theme souvenirs in our Visitors Center. Bluebonnet seeds, T-shirts, mugs, postcards and more! Come by the Chamber office at 314 South Austin Street in Brenham, near the historic downtown district, next to the railroad tracks and the old Santa Fe depot. Weekday hours are 8:30am-5:00pm. On Saturdays, the Visitor Center is open from 10:00am-3:00pm. Beginning March 1, the Center will also be open from noon-3:00pm most Sundays.

April 18, 2008 - The large field on Wood Ridge Drive in Brenham is showing both foot traffic wear as well as beginning to go to seed. However, there are still a few areas that will work for photo opportunities. In addition, take Old Independence Road north out of Brenham (it's the road right next to the Washington County Fairgrounds). Follow it to Schlottman Road; turn left and follow Schlottman to Quebe Road, where you'll find not only bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush, but also a field of foxglove in bloom. Continuing on Quebe Road, you will reach FM 390 and can turn left toward Burton and join the Cotton Gin Festival in progress this weekend - or turn right and follow FM 390 to Independence where the Antique Rose Emporium is hosting an open house. Then, follow 390 eastward to connect with Hwy. 105. You'll find flowers all along this route. Happy hunting - and drive carefully. Drop by the Chamber of Commerce office on Business 36 near downtown for a detailed map. We're open from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Saturday and noon-3:00 p.m. Sunday.

April 7, 2008 - FM 390 westbound from Independence now has several beautiful fields of flowers. In addition, FM 2679 near FM 390 features large patches of bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush. Another country road, Mt. Vernon Rd., off FM 2679, has several showy fields. The large field on Wood Ridge Drive in Brenham is still quite showy as well.

April 4, 2008 - Wow, do we have bluebonnets - in all stages of bloom, from mature plants to those just beginning to show! South of the Hwy. 290/Hwy. 36 intersection in Brenham, a beautiful mature field can be accessed by turning left on Wood Ridge Drive (look for Whataburger and the new La Quinta Inn & Suites on the left). Also in town, along Becker Drive, a field is beginning to show flowers. (Stop by the Chamber of Commerce to pick up a map.) Old Baylor Park in Independence is still really pretty, and several fields of beautiful color can be seen from FM 50. Driving FM 390 west from Independence to Burton, the flowers are also beginning to show. And along Hwy. 36 north of Brenham on the right is a great field of Indian Paintbrush with bluebonnets. The flowers should be good for the next couple of weeks, for sure.

March 24, 2008 - Old Baylor Park in Independence has a really nice showing of wildflowers now - a good mix of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush and several other types. Also, at the intersection of FM 50 and Hwy. 105 (northeast side of Brenham), there is a large field of bluebonnets with parking space off the road. Roadsides on Hwy. 105 between Brenham and Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site have good patches of color.

March 17, 2008 - The bluebonnets are really beginning their blooming cycle. Each day, we see more along the roadsides. As of this entry, the area with the largest coverage is actually behind and beside the Wal-Mart Super Center at Hwy. 290 and SH 36 on the south side of Brenham. There, you can safely park off the highway and have some nice flowers to take photos of.

March 12, 2008 - Hooray! The sun is supposed to shine, for a few days at least. We are seeing more flowers as time goes on. At Old Baylor Park in Independence, the crop of bluebonnets is beginning to bloom. Plants are still small and the blooms sparse, but with some warm weather more should be showing soon.

March 10, 2008 - We are beginning to see a few bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush brave enough to begin blooming, but it's been too cool for much to happen at this time. Once the sun decides to warm things up a bit, we should be able to provide more complete information.

February 27, 2008 - Everyone is anxious for spring to come. Here in Washington County, one or two brave bluebonnets have been spotted already blooming, but it's still really early for large patches to become visible. Our typical guesstimate for great bluebonnet viewing falls between mid-March to mid-April most years. Watch this space for regular updates.

See our latest page on
Bird Watching

in Washington County.

Be sure to keep an eye out for pictures to submit to the 2008 Photo Contest. The Grand Prize Winner’s photograph will be used for a postcard and sold in the Visitor Bureau -- and the winner will receive a $150 gift certificate. Click here for more information and to download an application. Deadline is December 29, 2008.

Wildflower Watching Do's & Don'ts

1. Bring that camera! Washington County has a photo contest every year and the winning entry is made into a postcard with the photographer's photo credit. You can get an entry form by calling 1-888-BRENHAM or find a Photo Contest Entry Form here. Remember, pictures need to be taken IN Washington County.

2. It is easy to gaze off the road when you are driving to look for those patches of bluebonnets. Have a designated watcher in the car and have the driver keep his/her eyes on the road! Also, when you pull off to see a patch of wildflowers, be very careful of the cars driving past you and keep your eye on the occupants in your automobile. It is easy to get carried away with getting the best camera shot but be sure you don't wander off into traffic while looking through the viewfinder!

3. Keep your eye on small children. We all know how quickly they can dart between cars or out in the street. When you are enjoying or photographing the wildflowers, keep safety in mind for everyone in your party.

4. Don't touch, pet or bother the livestock! This includes horses, cows, goats, sheep, etc. It's neat when you pull over to a bluebonnet patch and there are wonderful animals on the other side of the fence. All of these animals may bite out of aggression, fear or the prospect of food they think you have! Protect yourself and your children by keeping a safe distance. Also, before you sit in a patch of bluebonnets, check the area where you will be sitting - a mound of ants or a surprised snake will not make a pretty picture!

5. Stay off private property. If there is a fence, that is a good indication it is private property. If it is an unfenced field off the road right-of-way, there is still a good chance it is private property. Instead of trespassing, make sure it is permissible when you wander through the bluebonnets. (Many of our attractions feature bluebonnet patches that are good, safe areas for picture taking.)

6. Plan ahead! Click here to request a free Visitor's Guide or call 1-888-BRENHAM. There is a lot to do in Washington County and you will find lodging, restaurants, attractions, shopping, etc. to add to your bluebonnet trip.

VISIT THE BRENHAM, TEXAS HOME PAGE

Wildflower Watch Input from visitors and area residents is welcome and encouraged! Email us at info@brenhamtexas.com or call and give us a sighting report on wildflower blooms spotted around Washington County. To request a Bluebonnet Trails map contained in our Visitor's Guide, click here. Or you can pick one up at our Visitors Center or ask for a guide at one of the hundreds of member businesses around Washington County. In addition, check out the great Bluebonnet and Texas theme souvenirs in our Visitors Center. Bluebonnet seeds, T-shirts, mugs, postcards and more! Come by the Chamber office at 314 South Austin Street in Brenham, near the historic downtown district, next to the railroad tracks and the old Santa Fe depot. Weekday hours are 8:30am-5:00pm. On Saturdays, the Visitor Center is open from 10:00am-3:00pm. Beginning March 1, the Center will also be open from noon-3:00pm most Sundays.
April 18, 2008 - The large field on Wood Ridge Drive in Brenham is showing both foot traffic wear as well as beginning to go to seed. However, there are still a few areas that will work for photo opportunities. In addition, take Old Independence Road north out of Brenham (it's the road right next to the Washington County Fairgrounds). Follow it to Schlottman Road; turn left and follow Schlottman to Quebe Road, where you'll find not only bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush, but also a field of foxglove in bloom. Continuing on Quebe Road, you will reach FM 390 and can turn left toward Burton and join the Cotton Gin Festival in progress this weekend - or turn right and follow FM 390 to Independence where the Antique Rose Emporium is hosting an open house. Then, follow 390 eastward to connect with Hwy. 105. You'll find flowers all along this route. Happy hunting - and drive carefully. Drop by the Chamber of Commerce office on Business 36 near downtown for a detailed map. We're open from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Saturday and noon-3:00 p.m. Sunday. April 7, 2008 - FM 390 westbound from Independence now has several beautiful fields of flowers. In addition, FM 2679 near FM 390 features large patches of bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush. Another country road, Mt. Vernon Rd., off FM 2679, has several showy fields. The large field on Wood Ridge Drive in Brenham is still quite showy as well. April 4, 2008 - Wow, do we have bluebonnets - in all stages of bloom, from mature plants to those just beginning to show! South of the Hwy. 290/Hwy. 36 intersection in Brenham, a beautiful mature field can be accessed by turning left on Wood Ridge Drive (look for Whataburger and the new La Quinta Inn & Suites on the left). Also in town, along Becker Drive, a field is beginning to show flowers. (Stop by the Chamber of Commerce to pick up a map.) Old Baylor Park in Independence is still really pretty, and several fields of beautiful color can be seen from FM 50. Driving FM 390 west from Independence to Burton, the flowers are also beginning to show. And along Hwy. 36 north of Brenham on the right is a great field of Indian Paintbrush with bluebonnets. The flowers should be good for the next couple of weeks, for sure. March 24, 2008 - Old Baylor Park in Independence has a really nice showing of wildflowers now - a good mix of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush and several other types. Also, at the intersection of FM 50 and Hwy. 105 (northeast side of Brenham), there is a large field of bluebonnets with parking space off the road. Roadsides on Hwy. 105 between Brenham and Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site have good patches of color. March 17, 2008 - The bluebonnets are really beginning their blooming cycle. Each day, we see more along the roadsides. As of this entry, the area with the largest coverage is actually behind and beside the Wal-Mart Super Center at Hwy. 290 and SH 36 on the south side of Brenham. There, you can safely park off the highway and have some nice flowers to take photos of. March 12, 2008 - Hooray! The sun is supposed to shine, for a few days at least. We are seeing more flowers as time goes on. At Old Baylor Park in Independence, the crop of bluebonnets is beginning to bloom. Plants are still small and the blooms sparse, but with some warm weather more should be showing soon. March 10, 2008 - We are beginning to see a few bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush brave enough to begin blooming, but it's been too cool for much to happen at this time. Once the sun decides to warm things up a bit, we should be able to provide more complete information. February 27, 2008 - Everyone is anxious for spring to come. Here in Washington County, one or two brave bluebonnets have been spotted already blooming, but it's still really early for large patches to become visible. Our typical guesstimate for great bluebonnet viewing falls between mid-March to mid-April most years. Watch this space for regular updates.

See our latest page on Bird Watching in Washington County.	Be sure to keep an eye out for pictures to submit to the 2008 Photo Contest. The Grand Prize Winner’s photograph will be used for a postcard and sold in the Visitor Bureau -- and the winner will receive a $150 gift certificate. Click here for more information and to download an application. Deadline is December 29, 2008.
Wildflower Watching Do's & Don'ts 1. Bring that camera! Washington County has a photo contest every year and the winning entry is made into a postcard with the photographer's photo credit. You can get an entry form by calling 1-888-BRENHAM or find a Photo Contest Entry Form here. Remember, pictures need to be taken IN Washington County. 2. It is easy to gaze off the road when you are driving to look for those patches of bluebonnets. Have a designated watcher in the car and have the driver keep his/her eyes on the road! Also, when you pull off to see a patch of wildflowers, be very careful of the cars driving past you and keep your eye on the occupants in your automobile. It is easy to get carried away with getting the best camera shot but be sure you don't wander off into traffic while looking through the viewfinder! 3. Keep your eye on small children. We all know how quickly they can dart between cars or out in the street. When you are enjoying or photographing the wildflowers, keep safety in mind for everyone in your party. 4. Don't touch, pet or bother the livestock! This includes horses, cows, goats, sheep, etc. It's neat when you pull over to a bluebonnet patch and there are wonderful animals on the other side of the fence. All of these animals may bite out of aggression, fear or the prospect of food they think you have! Protect yourself and your children by keeping a safe distance. Also, before you sit in a patch of bluebonnets, check the area where you will be sitting - a mound of ants or a surprised snake will not make a pretty picture! 5. Stay off private property. If there is a fence, that is a good indication it is private property. If it is an unfenced field off the road right-of-way, there is still a good chance it is private property. Instead of trespassing, make sure it is permissible when you wander through the bluebonnets. (Many of our attractions feature bluebonnet patches that are good, safe areas for picture taking.) 6. Plan ahead! Click here to request a free Visitor's Guide or call 1-888-BRENHAM. There is a lot to do in Washington County and you will find lodging, restaurants, attractions, shopping, etc. to add to your bluebonnet trip. VISIT THE BRENHAM, TEXAS HOME PAGE ©2008 Washington County Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau All rights reserved. 314 S. Austin St., Brenham, Texas 77833 1 (888) BRENHAM, Email: info@brenhamtexas.com