Friday, March 01, 2013

Winter is fading away, but evidence abounds that spring is on its way! The redbuds are beginning to bloom and the Italian jasmine provides pops of bright yellow into the landscape. We are excited for the new scenery to unfold as the true beauty of our springtime hill country view comes into play.

The bluebonnets are always eagerly awaited! Did you know that Texas actually has 5 state flowers? And they are all bluebonnets! The Lupinus subcarnosus, better known as the bluebonnet, is an elegant plant that creates a sea of royal-blue in the early spring time all across the hills in Texas. All species of the Bluebonnet are considered the State Flower. There are also white bonnets and pink bonnets. These will not necessarily bloom the next year true to color if they are mixed among bluebonnets. This is due to their being pollinated by bees and if the bee goes from a bluebonnet to a white bonnet and pollinates the white bonnet, then it could come back as a bluebonnet.

Beginning in March bluebonnets will begin to appear. Even though it is not a guarantee that bluebonnets will pop up on the ranch grounds, the other varieties will mesmerize you. On the ranch and in the surrounding hills, wildflowers such as the Texas Paintbrush, Indian Blanket, Greenthread, Winecup, Square-Bud Primrose and many more, are bountiful. The combination of colors is breath-taking!

The quantity and quality of blooms spread throughout the surrounding areas depends on the amount of rainfall, so the more spring rain the better! Call soon to make your reservations at Riven Rock Ranch for your spring wildflower viewing excursion. As many of you know, the ranch was featured in the November Texas Monthly article, "Where to Stay 2012" and "Top Ten New Places to Stay in Texas." Spring is a popular time to visit the ranch and the wildflowers are only one of the reasons! Come partake of our Texas style hospitality, and enjoy the bluebonnets!

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