Every Texan has a thing about bluebonnets. You slow down when you see a field of them along the highway. You pull over to take photos in them. They're the state flower for a reason; there's something about that color against a blue sky that just feels like Texas.
But if you're an Aggie, you've probably wished at least once that they came in maroon.
They do now.
What Are Texas Maroon Bluebonnets?
Texas Maroon Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) are a rare variation of the classic Texas bluebonnet, bred specifically to bloom in deep maroon and pink tones instead of the traditional blue-purple. They look unmistakably like bluebonnets in every other way (same shape, same structure, same spring blooms), just in colors that hit different if you bleed maroon.
The tagline on the seed packet says it best: a bluebonnet with an attitude.
Thirty Years in the Making
This wasn't a quick project. Texas Maroon Bluebonnets were developed over more than 30 years through work with Douglass King Seeds and Dr. Jerry M. Parsons, a retired professor and Texas A&M Extension Horticulturist. The original plant was discovered in a planting of 'Abbott Pink' near La Pryor, Texas, and it took decades of careful selection and development to get the variety to where it is today.
That’s a lot of patience for one flower. But someone spent 30 years on it, so maybe we can manage a season.
How to Grow Them
Maroon bluebonnets are beautiful but a little particular about where they'll grow. A few things to know before you plant:
Soil matters a lot. These won't do well in poorly drained or clay-heavy soil. They need a sloped area with light to gravelly, well-drained soil. If your yard tends to hold water, you'll want to amend it or find a spot with natural drainage.
Full sun is non-negotiable. Pick a spot that gets direct sunlight throughout the day.
Plant in the fall. Like traditional bluebonnets, maroon bluebonnets are best planted in the fall so they can establish over winter and bloom in the spring. Flowers typically appear March through May.
Be patient the first year. Bluebonnets often take a full season to establish before they really put on a show. The second year is usually when they reward you.
Why We Carry Them
We've carried Texas Maroon Bluebonnet seeds for a while now, and they're one of those things people pick up and then come back for. A lot of Aggies buy them for their own yard, but they also make a really good gift, especially for someone who just bought a house or finally has a yard to do something with.
Planting them near your front door, along a fence line, or in a garden bed isn't just a landscaping choice. It's a statement. And every spring when they bloom, it's a pretty great one.
Our Maroon Bluebonnet Seeds are available in store in College Station and online. If you've been thinking about planting them, fall is the time to do it.
Thanks and Gig ‘Em!
