AUSTIN, Texas — Last year’s bluebonnet season in Central Texas was outstanding, but for 2025, experts are reporting a season that is a bit more “garden variety.”
“This year is going to be a little bit of a mixed bag depending on where you are,” said Lee Clippard, executive director at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Clippard explained that this is mostly due to ongoing drought issues in the area.
“West of here, it’s a little bit drier. We had a big drought, so there’s probably going to be less bluebonnets than we’ve seen last year in previous years. East of here, and in East Texas, they had a lot of rain, so they might get a lot more bluebonnets than we have here.”
Contrary to what the public may think, bluebonnets are a winter plant that blooms at the end of its lifecycle in the spring. When conditions through fall and winter are too dry, it can result in fewer blooms.
“One of the most critical factors that impacts the wildflower season is the winter rains,” said Clippard.
Many newer Austinites will remember the near-perfect scenario played out ahead of last year’s blooms.
In 2024, Austin received substantial rains early, with the fifth-wettest January ever recorded, and February temperatures were above average, with minimal freezes, prepping Texas fields for a splurge of violet and blue for that upcoming spring.
Mother Nature has not prepped as well for 2025. After a flash drought this past fall, with no rain for weeks on end, this winter has generally been too dry. Below is the comparison of the drought in February 2024 (left) to February 2025 (right).
However, Clippard explained that due to varying microclimates, soil and precipitation in the Hill Country, there will still be pockets of great blooms for those willing to seek them out.
Clippard added, “There are a lot of incredible wildflowers that come after bluebonnets.”
“Texas paintbrush starts blooming during that time. Those are kind of a red-orange color around here, really beautiful. What I look forward to in late April and May are the firewheels, and those are kind of a reddish orange kind of color.”
