While Texas bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and other early spring flowers have begun to fade in Central Texas, there are still flowers on display that residents can enjoy during National Wildflower Week on May 4-10.

Many local trails and Texas state parks have reopened in recent weeks and offer an opportunity to find wildflowers. According to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, individuals on trails and at parks should practice social distancing guidelines from the Texas Department of State Health Services, including keeping a 6-foot distance from others and not going out in public when sick.

The following flowers are in bloom in May. A detailed guide to additional Central Texas wildflowers can be found here.

  • Firewheel: a round flower with yellow-tipped red petals that blooms from April to June

  • Pink evening primrose: a light pink or white flower with a yellow center and four distinct petals that blooms from February to June

  • Antelope horns milkweed: a cluster of small green, white and purple flowers atop a stem that blooms from March to October

  • Prickly pear: a cactus that has large, yellow flowers atop a pear fruit that begins to bloom in May and can gloom through the summer

  • Texas lantana: a shrub-like flower with clusters of multicolored buds that bloom from late April to October

  • Mexican hat: a sombrero-shaped flower with red and yellow petals that point down and a tall flower disk at the center

  • Horsemint: a group of white, pink or purple flower buds atop the stem that blooms in April and can last through June or later, depending on the season


The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, which is located at 4801 La Crosse Ave. in South Austin, is currently closed out of caution during the coronavirus pandemic. However, it is offering online wildflower-themed activities for National Wildflower Week. According to the Wildflower Center, from May 4-10 the center will be posting videos, activities and tips about how to enjoy wildflowers at the home or outside. Activities can be found on the center’s website here. On May 4 the Wildflower Center released Texas wildflower bingo cards as its first activity of the week.