A little history and fun facts about the bluebonnet that I thought I would share with you while you look at how I created Texas Bloom:
The bluebonnet (lupinus subcarnosus) is the state flower of the Texas (not the yellow rose). This flower was adopted by the Texas state legislature in 1901. It is also known as the buffalo clover, wolf flower, and “el conejo” (“rabbit” in Spanish). Bluebonnets get their name from the resemblance of the individual blooms to the bonnets worn by pioneer women to shield them from the sun.
Timelapse video of the process of creating Texas Bloom. Start to finish in 1 minute.
Apparently when legislature was trying to choose the state flower of Texas, there were a few choices for them to vote on. They were the cotton plant and the pear cactus (nominated by politician “Cactus Jack”). It is said the National Society of Colonial Dames of America were horrified by the ugly flower choices, so they nominated the bluebonnet. Everyone thought cotton would win, but this group of strong women made sure the blue beauty won. They brought in bluebonnet paintings and had them displayed on the floor of the legislature as well as making bluebonnet floral arrangements for each of the politician’s desk. Many years after the bluebonnet won, it was brought to the legislations attention there are more than one species. They took care of this by writing a piece of legislation in 1971 that would cover any species of bluebonnets as the flower of the Great State of Texas.
If you drive around in Texas in the month of April, I’m sure you have spotted them on the side of the highways and roads, as well as large fields of blue. (Although they say the best places to see them are Ennis, Chappell Hill and Burnet.) We can thank Lady Bird Johnson for all of our beautiful highways. In 1969 she started handing out the Texas Highway Beautification Awards and writing personal checks to the winners. Soon everyone was planting bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes (this is one I definitely need to add to my South Texas Flower Series), and Black-eyed Susans. Lady Bird thought that people would not have the nerve to throw garbage on a field of bluebonnets. I definitely think it helps!
A few other interesting things…bluebonnets are poisonous if you eat them, and it is not illegal to pick them (although it is illegal to walk on someone’s private property). So, if you do go into a field of bluebonnets, make sure you watch out for rattlesnakes! They love them too!
Anyway…hope you enjoyed this little bit of info about bluebonnets. And I hope you enjoy Texas Bloom.
Bring a little piece of Texas spring into your home.
Texas Bloom prints are available here.
Reference:
Texas State Flower: The Bluebonnet & The Amazing Story Behind It - Texas Proud
Texas Bluebonnet History - Sign-Express
Texas State Flower | Bluebonnet (statesymbolsusa.org)
If you've ever driven through Texas in April, you already know the feeling. That first flash of blue along the highway, spreading out into wide open fields — it stops you every time, no matter how many springs you've seen it.
The bluebonnet has been part of Texas identity for over a century, and I've always loved it as a subject. While I was creating Texas Bloom, I found myself going down a little rabbit hole of bluebonnet history — and honestly, the story behind how it became our state flower is too good not to share.
A Flower Chosen by Strong Women
The bluebonnet (Lupinus subcarnosus) was adopted as the state flower of Texas by the legislature in 1901 — beating out, of all things, the cotton plant and the pear cactus. Yes, really. A politician nicknamed "Cactus Jack" actually nominated the pear cactus. The National Society of Colonial Dames of America had other ideas.
Reportedly horrified by both options, they nominated the bluebonnet and made sure it won. They brought bluebonnet paintings onto the floor of the legislature and placed fresh bluebonnet arrangements on every politician's desk. The blue beauty won — and Texas hasn't looked back since.
Years later, when it was pointed out that Texas actually has more than one species of bluebonnet, the legislature handled it the Texas way — they passed a bill in 1971 declaring that all species of bluebonnets are the state flower. Problem solved.
A Few Fun Facts Worth Knowing
The bluebonnet goes by several names — buffalo clover, wolf flower, and el conejo (Spanish for "rabbit"). The name bluebonnet comes from the resemblance of each individual bloom to the bonnets pioneer women wore to shield themselves from the sun.
A few other things worth knowing before you go chasing fields of blue:
- Bluebonnets are poisonous if eaten — keep that in mind around curious pets and little ones
- It is not illegal to pick them — that's actually a myth. It is illegal to trespass on private property to get to them though
- Watch for rattlesnakes — they love bluebonnet fields just as much as we do
And if you're wondering where to find the best displays? Ennis, Chappell Hill, and Burnet are known for their stunning bluebonnet season every April.
Thank You, Lady Bird
We also have Lady Bird Johnson to thank for the wildflower-lined highways we love so much. In 1969 she began presenting Texas Highway Beautification Awards and writing personal checks to winners — inspiring communities across the state to plant bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and black-eyed Susans along roadsides. Her belief was simple: people won't litter on a field of wildflowers. I think she was right.
(And yes — Indian paintbrushes are absolutely on my list for the South Texas Flower Series. Stay tuned.)
Watch Texas Bloom Come to Life
I captured the entire creation of Texas Bloom in a one minute timelapse — start to finish. I hope it gives you a little peek into the process and the love that goes into each piece.
[Embed timelapse video here]
If this little bit of Texas spring made you smile, you can bring it home. Texas Bloom prints are available in my shop — ready to add a little blue to your walls year round.
[Shop Texas Bloom Prints Here]
XO, Kris
SOURCES TO KEEP IN POST: I'd keep your three reference links at the bottom — it adds credibility and is good SEO practice. Just style them as a simple "Sources" section like you had before.
