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Wildflowers Are In Full Bloom Along Many Area Waterways

April 11, 2007
It's that time again... Wildflower season! The colorful canvas of blues, reds, yellows and pinks has shown up once again on the banks of many of our area bayous and streams. And it's no accident. Wildflowers figure prominently into the District's Vegetation Management Program, and they relate directly to the District's regard for community and natural values. Wildflowers not only beautify the infrastructure, but also reduce mowing cycles and save taxpayer dollars.

The banks of many ara bayous come alive every year with wildflowers originally planted by the District.

The banks of many ara bayous come alive every year with wildflowers originally planted by the District.

More Than Meets The Eye
While the banks of our channels are full of lively colors for everyone to see, the real show lies underneath: It's a show of strength. The wildflower mix chosen by the District develops a robust root structure beneath the ground's surface that helps hold the soil on the banks. As a result, Harris County's bayous are more resistant to the forces that cause erosion.

Wildflower sites can regenerate naturally, like this stretch along Greens Bayou.

Wildflower sites can regenerate naturally, like this stretch along Greens Bayou.

Pretty Proliferation, And Good For Our Environment
Wildflower plantings compete with undesirable grasses, grow to shorter heights than the undesirable grasses and, as mentioned, also reduce maintenance costs by eliminating the first, and possibly the second, of three mowing cycles each year. The reduction of mowing improves water quality by preventing tons of cut organic material from entering waterways. Over several years, the reduction in cutting costs offsets the initial expense of establishing wildflowers. They eventually provide sustainable landscapes and wildlife habitat.

Bluebonnet and Indian Blanket are come of the many species of wildflowers found on area bayous and streams.

Bluebonnet and Indian Blanket are come of the many species of wildflowers found on area bayous and streams.

Part of the Bigger Establishment Picture
It's not just wildflowers. Native grasses and tree species are also introduced by the District along certain areas within the nearly 3,000-mile drainage infrastructure. Sometimes, this mix of vegetation species can eliminate altogether the need for mechanical cutting, saving more taxpayer dollars and allowing the District to direct these cost savings toward other flood damage reduction efforts.

Interpretive signs are in place along much of the White Oak Bayou trailsystem, teachin viewers the importance of wildflowers.

Interpretive signs are in place along much of the White Oak Bayou trailsystem, teachin viewers the importance of wildflowers.

Keep An Eye On Your Bayous
Every year, the District seeds more Harris County waterways. In the last quarter alone, nine sites were seeded for a total of approximately 75 acres. Some of the sites included:

Cypress Creek Watershed (Dry Gully and Faulkey Gully)
San Jacinto River Watershed (Rogers Gully tributary)
Carpenters Bayou (main channel)
Barker Reservoir Watershed (Mason Creek tributary)

For More Information
For more information on wildflower establishment at the District, contact us online or call our Facilities Maintenance Department at 713-684-4000.