Crimson poppy fields at Wildseed Farms
Mom and I stopped at Wildseed Farms, just east of Fredericksburg, Texas, on the way home from our Hill Country wildflower drive on Tuesday. Wildseed Farms grows wildflowers for their seed, which it sells to landscapers, retail customers, and highway departments that seed wildflowers along roadsides. With fields of flowers viewable from a nature trail, plus a pick-your-own field, it’s become a destination nursery that attracts 350,000 visitors each year.
At this time of year, the fields closest to the farm’s gift shop are ablaze with red corn poppies (Papaver rhoeas). Because they’re native to Europe, not Texas, you won’t see these blooming along Texas highways (we’re all about native wildflowers here). But they’re still awfully pretty massed in rows, and we spent a half-hour or so admiring them.
Up close, the wiry, hairy stems are visible.
From a distance, it’s a carpet of red.
Other visitors were getting pictures too.
Still others were content just to wander amid the colorful display.
Alongside the paths, native bluebonnets mingled with the poppies.
Red poppy ribbon
This field was just beginning to bloom. In the background, shade structures shelter outdoor seating. The place is huge, and sometimes they have a band playing live music.
A row of crepe myrtles divides one poppy field from another. Notice the beautiful form of these crepes. No one has butchered them (i.e., committed crepe murder) over the winter, thank heavens.
Vivid color!
I always enjoy spotting a few mutants among the reds, like these pink poppies. They make the reds look even better.
Behind these corn poppies I noticed some orange ones.
And other colors as well
It’s like confetti at a parade.
If you’ve never stopped at Wildseed Farms on the way to Fredericksburg, you should. Especially now.
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You are so lucky to have all this beauty at your fingertips so to speak. All this color excites the heart especially at this time of year.
Spring is a gorgeous time of year here in central Texas, where annuals bloom early so they can set seed before summer’s heat arrives. I’m drinking it up while I can. —Pam
You picked the perfect day to go. Just gorgeous!
I think I did! I was watching the forecast for an overcast day for good photos all day. —Pam
Makes me happy, even from afar!
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Marian! —Pam
I’ve bought seeds from them in the past. Thanks for showing us around their nursery. It’s so colorful, it reminds me of our tulip fields up here at this time of year.
I bet those are stunning. I’d love to see them one day. —Pam
Aah…fields of RED make my heart sing. That first photo with the single lavender blossom in the midst of all the red is fabulous. Makes me think of “I’m a lonely little petunia in an onion patch”.
I’d never heard that song before, Ricki. I had to look it up — funny! —Pam
it’s my age showing
Beautiful! I especially like the confetti fields. So cheerful.
It does put one in a good mood. —Pam
is that – bunch of flowers in a vase – the shape I should aim for with my inches high crepe myrtle one when I grow up?
Yes, Diana. Crepes have a beautiful, vase-shaped form when pruned properly. Refer to Southern Living’s Grumpy Gardener for pruning tips. —Pam
Fields of poppies are so meaningful in my homeland, England,because they covered the fields of Flanders after the battles of World War 1. When they are in bloom they serve as a tribute to our veterans. Always an amazing sight, they are incredibly stunning in your Texas fields. P. x
Thanks for that reminder, Pam. I know about this from Sting’s song from the 1980s, “Children’s Crusade”, and from Rock Rose’s moving tributes on Remembrance Day. With that history in mind, it must be bittersweet to see a field of poppies. —Pam
What gorgeous photos, Pam! I have always thought that red flowers against a backdrop of green foliage is the perfect color combination – opposite colors and SO vibrant. But then I like the confetti effect too!
I love vibrant gardens too, Lynn, and these poppies certainly deliver. —Pam
I’m agreeing with Lynn’s comment above. The photos are gorgeous and make me feel like I was there.
Mission accomplished! I’m glad you enjoyed them, Pat. —Pam
Thank you for the inspiration. We got up yesterday and drove from San Antonio to the Wildseed Farms. I am a huge fan of not only your blog and books but also your photography. This a beautiful post. Happy Gardening!
Marsha, thanks for your kind words! I’m so glad to know you had a chance to visit Wildseed Farms while the poppies are blooming. Happy spring! —Pam
My heart pounds at the thought of all those poppies. I am sending a friend from New Mexico to view them next week.
Thanks for once again providing interesting flower and plant blog
You’re quite welcome, Barbie. I hope your friend has an enjoyable visit. —Pam
Are there any fields there that you can go into and take pictures
Not that I saw, Allie, but there were fields I didn’t get to. You might need to call and ask. —Pam