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Over 5,000 species of wildflowers along with native grasses flourish along
our state's roadsides, thanks to nature and attention from TxDOT.
TxDOT's wildflower program not only helps our highways look good but also
reduces the cost of maintenance and labor by encouraging the growth of native
species that need less mowing and care. As with grasses, it strives to establish
roadsides that blend into their surroundings. The grasses and wildflowers also
help to conserve water, control erosion and provide a habitat for wildlife in
all the
natural regions of Texas.
Our wildflower program is nothing new. Shortly after the Texas Highway
Department was organized in 1917, officials noted that wildflowers were among
the first vegetation to reappear at roadside cuts and fills. In 1932, the
department hired Jac Gubbels, its first landscape architect, to maintain,
preserve and encourage wildflowers and other native plants along rights of way. By 1934, department rules delayed all mowing, unless essential for safety,
until spring and early summer wildflower seasons were over. This practice has
stayed in place for more than 60 years and has expanded into today's full-scale
vegetation management system.
Maintenance techniques used to encourage wildflower growth include safety, or
strip mowing which allow the wildflowers to bloom and allows native grasses to
emerge.
TxDOT buys and sows about 30,000 pounds of wildflower seed each year. The
peak wildflower blooming season draws tourists from all across the nation to see
the color unfold each spring. The department is pleased with the attention wildflowers attract, however, we
discourage picture-taking that damages the wildflowers. If too many wildflowers
are trampled, they will die and not go to seed. Since many of these flowers are
annuals, this means they have to go to seed to come back the next year.
Naturally, we discourage picking the flowers for the same reason.
The wildflower program is part of good stewardship. Today, TxDOT not only
plants and enhances wildflower areas but, more importantly, protects and
maintains the investment made in years past. Call (800) 452-9292 for more
information.
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