Spring in the Texas Hill Country

How exciting it is to see winter fall away and the first buds of Spring come forth. While driving around town today, I took note of the Ornamental or Fruitless Pear Trees and Red Buds that have begun to show their blooms. The Pear Trees are all over town with their flashy white flowering buds. This year's crop is especially prolific. The Red Bud tree is popular to the area and it's blooms are out. The color on these trees started out slightly muted this year, but the continuous days of sunshine are helping to bring out that famous Red Bud color.

I plan to keep you posted on the progress of Spring in the Texas Hill Country. I will be watching for the local trees to pop out and for the Texas Bluebonnets to rise up out of the ground in these next few weeks. I hope to post some current pictures as this season progresses!

It is the middle of March and most of the country is in a deep freeze because of a recent strong cold front. The Texas Hill Country dipped into freezing temperatures, though Austin stayed barely above the freezing point. The local flowers and trees escaped weather damage. Just north of us, in Dallas, there were several inches of snow. It seems that March is going out like a lion this year. Ever heard that expression?

Chilly winds blew this morning, but the flowers glowed in the warming sunlight. They know that Spring is here and it is time to come out of Winter slumber. Old Man Winter, don't disappoint them! It has been a long hard winter.

There were a few Bluebonnets along the expressway, but they are not fully out yet. Pictures of the bluebonnets will follow!

We have all been waiting for the Texas Bluebonnet to emerge. In Central Texas, the coming of the bluebonnets signals the entrance of Spring. With the rain that we have had, a great crop of bluebonnets is expected.

The first bluebonnets are peeking out from the grass. We are expected to have five straight days of warm, sunny days here at the end of the month of March. I think the flowers have been waiting for that much needed element, the sun. Our pattern this Spring has been to have a couple of cool days with sun and then a day or so of rain. This upcoming stretch of sunshine should bring out the bluebonnets in mass!

The mountain laurel is beautiful this year. There are trees all over Austin with the beautiful purplish blue flowers.

In addition, other wild flowers are showing up. There are various types of yellow buds interspersed with grass and bluebonnets along the roadsides. IWe are getting colorful here in the Texas Hill Country!

The month of March is ending and the Texas Bluebonnets are in full swing. This Texas treat is popping up everywhere. One more day of sunshine and they are bluer and more prolific than the day before. We are enjoying our Spring. It was in the 80's today and perfect for Spring flowers.