Texas Living

10 Texas Wildflowers and Where to Find Them

By Jillian Kring 6.3.21

Texas is famous for its bluebonnets, but that’s just the surface of the abundant wildflowers in the state. Here’s a guide to 10 beautiful Texas wildflower species and where to see them bloom.

Texas wildflowers Drummond Phlox
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Drummond Phlox

Also known as Texas Pride, Drummond phlox is an iridescent red-and-pink flower that blooms in early spring. This wildflower variety may also boast less-common shades of blue and purple.
Where to see it: Spot the Drummond phlox on South Central Texas roadsides.

Texas wildflowers pink primrose
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Pink Evening Primrose

This unique pink-and-white flower awakens every evening to freshly bloomed petals and spends the day slowly dying.
Where to see it: Pink evening primrose can be found in North Texas from early to late spring.

Texas wildflowers Sunflower
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Common Sunflower

Sunflowers love dry, hot weather, making Texas a haven for these cheery flowers. Around 19 species of sunflower grow between March and December across the state.
Where to see it: Their petals appear in almost every wildflower field throughout the state, but some of the largest sunflower fields can be found in North Central Texas.

Texas wildflowers winecup
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Winecup

This whimsical Texas wildflower looks like a little pink wineglass with a green stem. It is fantastically durable in dry weather.
Where to see it: Winecup can be found in the eastern, northern, and southern parts of Texas.

Texas wildflowers Mountain Pink
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Mountain Pink

These conspicuous flowers grow in lush pink clusters. Pioneers used the petals to reduce fevers, though now they’re only used for adding a dash of pink to Texas gardens and horizons.
Where to see it: Discover mountain pink in the hills of Central Texas throughout the summer.

Texas wildflowers blue-eyed grass
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Blue-Eyed Grass

It blooms in the spring when its thin, bright-green stem is indistinguishable from grass. At a quick glance at this flower in a field, the grass appears blue since its buds are so small.
Where to see it: This prairie flower thrives in East Texas and around the Gulf.

Texas wildflowers Gayfeather
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Gayfeather

This woodland prairie flower blooms from mid-summer until December. Pale purple-hued petals adorn a featherlike stem, and a field of these may look more like a field of feathers than of wildflowers. Keep an eye out for butterflies and hummingbirds around these fields, as gayfeather seeds are a favorite treat of theirs.
Where to see it: Gayfeather fields bloom in prairies and plains. You’ll find them all around Texas, but they’re most prominent in Hill Country.

Texas wildflowers texas lantana
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Texas Lantana

This fiery-red, orange, and yellow cluster of flowers blooms year-round in South Texas. Cardinals and butterflies are often seen accenting these shrubs with their warm colors.
Where to see it: You’ll see them in South Texas, especially along the Gulf coast.

Texas wildflowers False Foxglvoe
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False Foxglove

This long-stemmed flower blooms in early spring. Its dainty, pastel cups accent sandy and rocky hills and fields.
Where to see it: False foxglove thrives in hills near the Gulf.

Texas wildflowers Rain Lily
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Rain Lily

This wispy, short-lived wildflower appears overnight after a rainstorm and disappears a few days later. Rain lilies have a long stem topped with beautiful white-and-pink-streaked, honey-scented flower buds. Make sure to catch this one before it’s gone!
Where to see it: Look for rain lilies the next time you’re in East Texas.

Texas wildflowers aren’t only eye candy. Here’s how to cultivate them to create a hummingbird garden in your yard.

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