What to Do When Bluebonnets in the Garden Die Off?

Deadheading

• Bluebonnets flower in spring and summer. As the flowers fade, go through the garden and deadhead the spent flowers. The flowers are followed by a seed pod and seeds. Once bluebonnets start to produce seeds, the plants put most of their energy into the job. Keep bluebonnets blooming longer by removing the flowers individually as they start to fade. Clip the flower where it joins to the stalk using a pair of sharp pruning shears.

Pulling Dead Plants

• Bluebonnets die off with the first winter frosts. To keep the garden looking tidy, remove the plants in late fall just after the first killing frosts. Cut back the dead foliage to make handling the plant easier. Dig out the root system using a shovel or garden fork. Shake as much dirt from the root ball as possible and discard the plant material on the compost heap. In mild climates, leave bluebonnets in the ground as long as they are green and producing flowers.

Prepare the Garden Bed

• Once the dead plant material is removed, its time to prepare the garden bed for the winter. Work mulch material into the soil using a tiller or a garden fork. Mulching is good for the garden all year. Spreading a 2 to 4-inch-thick layer of mulch over the garden bed around bluebonnets and other annuals keeps weeds down because the weed seeds suffocate under the mulch layer before they can germinate. Mulching also keeps the soil moisture levels and temperature consistent.

Bluebonnet Seed Collection

• Most annuals grow easily from seed, but not bluebonnets. The practice of saving seeds for spring planting is common and a good way to keep annuals going from year to year without having to purchase new seeds or seedlings each spring, but the bluebonnet is an exception. Seeds, purchased from reputable dealers, undergo a scarification or chemical treatment process that encourages quick and reliable germination, cutting the time down from several months to seven to 10 days.