Bluebonnets growing alongside an old road in the Texas Hill Country

© Inge Johnsson/Alam

Where the wildflowers grow

Today we're marvelling at a field of blooming bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas. The state’s Department of Transportation sows tens of thousands of pounds of wildflower seeds along roadways each year.

But wildflowers aren't just pretty to look at. Most of these native plants grow on their own—without the need for cultivation—helping preserve water, protect against erosion, and provide habitat for birds, butterflies, and other critters. Plus, they have a restorative quality for the mind, just as wildflower-lover Lady Bird Johnson once said: 'Where flowers bloom, so does hope.’