These past few days have gifted us just enough warm weather, early blooming flowers and budding tr
ees to start a serious case of bluebonnet fever. For those of you who don't live in Texas, the bluebonnet is our state flower. But like so many things, it isn't as simple as that. Historian Jack Maguire put it best; "It's not only the state flower but also a kind of floral trademark almost as well known to outsiders as cowboy boots and the Stetson hat...The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland." At Texas Art Mart we have taken the snow scenes out of the window and filled it with bluebonnets. No flower has inspired Texas artists like the bluebonnet, the choices are unlimited, from the simplest print to original 
oils on canvas. Unfortunately the choices for viewing the real thing this year are going to be more limited. With the driest conditions in 60 years much of Texas will not enjoy the lush bluebonnet bloom of years past. The traditional areas such as the Hill Country have been hit the worst but areas to the east & south of Dallas/Ft. Worth received enough moisture to still provide us with the promise of good bloom. Usually the bloom peaks about Easter time which is April 12th this year but I suspect with these weather conditions we might count on extending that date by a week or so. For those of you looking for a good day trip or some photo opportunities, Ennis, just south of Dallas & east of Waxahachie, is home of the official Texas Bluebonnet Trail and they are reporting an abundance of plants promising a good show. Ennis has over 40 miles of mapped trails for viewing and you can track the progress of the bloom on their website listed below with other festivals & bluebonnet related activity. •Ennis Bluebonnet Trails, April 1-30; Bluebonnet Festival, April 17-19, Ennis. http://www.visitennis.org/ •Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas, April 18-19, downtown Chappell Hill. http://www.chappellhillmuseum.org/ •DeWitt County Lanes and Byways, April 1-30. http://www.dewittwildflowers.org/ •Linden Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival, April 24-26. http://www.lindenwildflowertrails.com/
Other Hotlines and Web sites: Before setting out, check conditions first. Most hotlines are not activated until there are flower sightings. •Texas Department of Transportation: 1-800-452-9292; http://www.txdot.gov/ •Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: 512-292-4200 •Ennis: 1-888-366-4748; http://www.visitennis.org/ Springtime has got to be the best time in Texas, get out and enjoy it.
ees to start a serious case of bluebonnet fever. For those of you who don't live in Texas, the bluebonnet is our state flower. But like so many things, it isn't as simple as that. Historian Jack Maguire put it best; "It's not only the state flower but also a kind of floral trademark almost as well known to outsiders as cowboy boots and the Stetson hat...The bluebonnet is to Texas what the shamrock is to Ireland, the cherry blossom to Japan, the lily to France, the rose to England and the tulip to Holland." At Texas Art Mart we have taken the snow scenes out of the window and filled it with bluebonnets. No flower has inspired Texas artists like the bluebonnet, the choices are unlimited, from the simplest print to original 
oils on canvas. Unfortunately the choices for viewing the real thing this year are going to be more limited. With the driest conditions in 60 years much of Texas will not enjoy the lush bluebonnet bloom of years past. The traditional areas such as the Hill Country have been hit the worst but areas to the east & south of Dallas/Ft. Worth received enough moisture to still provide us with the promise of good bloom. Usually the bloom peaks about Easter time which is April 12th this year but I suspect with these weather conditions we might count on extending that date by a week or so. For those of you looking for a good day trip or some photo opportunities, Ennis, just south of Dallas & east of Waxahachie, is home of the official Texas Bluebonnet Trail and they are reporting an abundance of plants promising a good show. Ennis has over 40 miles of mapped trails for viewing and you can track the progress of the bloom on their website listed below with other festivals & bluebonnet related activity. •Ennis Bluebonnet Trails, April 1-30; Bluebonnet Festival, April 17-19, Ennis. http://www.visitennis.org/ •Official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas, April 18-19, downtown Chappell Hill. http://www.chappellhillmuseum.org/ •DeWitt County Lanes and Byways, April 1-30. http://www.dewittwildflowers.org/ •Linden Wildflower Trails of Texas Festival, April 24-26. http://www.lindenwildflowertrails.com/Other Hotlines and Web sites: Before setting out, check conditions first. Most hotlines are not activated until there are flower sightings. •Texas Department of Transportation: 1-800-452-9292; http://www.txdot.gov/ •Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: 512-292-4200 •Ennis: 1-888-366-4748; http://www.visitennis.org/ Springtime has got to be the best time in Texas, get out and enjoy it.
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