02:07 PM CST on Friday, March 3, 2006

From Staff Reports

Each year's wildflower display differs based on weather conditions. But these areas traditionally offer great viewing.

•The Washington County Chamber of Commerce has a timesaving "Bluebonnet Trails" map with prime wildflower trails. Many center on U.S. Highway 290 through Brenham. Ttrails are marked with blue road signs between mid-March and early May. For a copy of the map, stop by the visitors center in Brenham, phone 1-888-273-6426 or access www.brenhamtexas.com.

•Burnet, on the Texas Hill Country Wildflower Trail, will host its Bluebonnet Festival April 7-9. Information: 512-756-4297; www.burnetchamber.org. Recommended roads in the area include U.S. Highway 281 and state highways 71 and 29.

For information on more sites,and the 10 other cities on the trail, contact 1-866-839-3378; www.tex-fest.com.

•For another string of flowering delights, the East Texas Wildflower Trails encompasses three trails in the Henderson area for viewing April 15 through May 31. Thesefocus: coreopsis, Indian paintbrush and crimson clover. Contact: 1-866-650-5529; www.hendersontx.us.

•Palestine hosts its Dogwood Trails celebration March 17-19, 25-26 and April 1-2. Contact 1-800-659-3484; www.visitpalestine.com.

•Tyler, known for roses, hosts the Azaleas and Spring Flower Trail March 17-April 2. Eight miles of azaleas, dogwood trees and wildflowers are mapped out through the East Texas town's residential gardens and historic home, many off U.S. Highway 69. Contact: 1-800-235-5712; www.tylertexas.com.

•What are billed as the oldest wildflower trails in the state can be found around Ennis, 25 miles south of Dallas. Forty miles of mapped driving trails, sponsored by the Ennis Garden Club, are featured each April. Its annual Bluebonnet Trails Festival will be April 21-23. Information: 1-888-366-4748; www.visitennis.org.

Several state parks are hosting special wildflower events.

•Cedar Hill State Park south of Dallas will offer talks about wildflowers from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. April 22 and 2 to 3 p.m. April 1 and 22. Call 972-291-5940 or 972-291-3900, ext. 232, to confirm the program.

•David Owens, park interpreter, will lead a wildflower walk at Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway west of Fort Worth from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 2 to 3:30 p.m. April 29. Reservations: 940-328-1171.

•And, of course, one of the best ways to view the dogwood and redbud blooms of the Piney Woods is aboard the Dogwood Steam Trail Excursions offered by the Texas State Railroad State Park in Rusk. The special excursions between Rusk and Palestine are from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 16-19, 23-26, 30-31 and April 11-2. Reservations: 1-800-442-8951.

Texas bluebonnet – Intoxicating annual blooms in Central, East and South Texas, often carpeting entire fields, from early March to early May.

Indian blanket – Bright red and gold annual, also called firewheel or gaillardia, for an 18th-century French patron of botany. Blooms statewide from April to June.

Indian paintbrush – Showy red-orange annual, often seen growing in fields of bluebonnets. Blooms from Northeast to Southwest Texas from March to May.

Wine cup or poppy mallow – Abundant red, rose, violet and sometimes white perennial blooms throughout East and Central Texas southward to the Rio Grande from April to late June.

Pink evening primrose – Common veined pink to rose-pink, sometimes white, perennial blooms in East and Central Texas from May to June.

For information on flower sightings, visit the Texas Department of Transportation Web site at www.dot.state.tx.us (click on travel services, then road conditions). In March, call the flower hot line at 1-800-452-9292.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, TX 78739; 512-292-4200; www.wildflower.org (click on wildflower forecast).

Wildseed Farms, on Highway 290E between Johnson City and Fredericksburg; 830-990-1393; www.wildseedfarms.com.

Roadside Flowers of Texas by Mary Motz Wills and Howard W. Irwin (University of Texas Press)