Drought dampens bluebonnet growth

BURNET, Texas (KXAN) - Bluebonnets are not germinating properly due to the drought across Central Texas.

"We are looking at a white ribbon year, third place," said Burnet County agriculture extension agent Wade Hibler. "It is just not going to be too hot."

Bluebonnet plants need wet and cool conditions to grow. With little rainfall during the past three months and warmer temperatures, the plants have failed to pop out of their seeds.

Hibler said that during the month of December, bluebonnet plants should be visible and about the size of someone's hand. Earlier this year, he spread three pounds of bluebonnet seed in front of the Burnet County Courthouse Annex . Tuesday morning, he could not find one bluebonnet plant.

"The condition we are in right now, because it is so dry, these wildflowers aren't getting their head start as they are supposed to," Hibler said.

Hibler has hope the flowers will still pop up, but they just won't be as abundant.

"Things could still turn around," Hibler said.