Wildseed Farms

Wildseed Farms, the largest working wildflower farm in the nation, is fun for the whole family. And, it's a great place to spend a relaxing day in the beautiful Texas Hill country! Acres of Texas Bluebonnets, Corn Poppies, Verbenas, and many other species are planted for seed production. the flower fields in bloom are SPECTACULAR!

Wildseed Farms is located 7 miles east of Fredericksburg, Texas, between Fredericksburg and Stonewall, Texas.

Open seven days a week, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

800-848-0078

Visit their website at: www.wildseedfarms.com

Through the ages, Mother Nature worked alone splashing the countryside with brilliant colors. Today, Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg lends a hand. John R. Thomas, Wildseed's founder and president, knows that color reigns on the vast, open fields along the highways. In 1983, there were very few sources for wildflower seeds; the seeds that were available were prohibitively expensive. The public's love of wildflowers and demands from landscape contractors and the highway department motivated Thomas to turn his sideline turf seeding business into a full-time wildflower farm. In addition, he developed a machine to plant the tiny seeds and another to harvest them. Then the new company pioneered the practice of planting wildflowers in rows on large acreage.

Today, Wildseed Farms is the largest working wildflower farm in the U.S. At its Hill Country headquarters, the farm has more than 200 acres under cultivation. In Eagle Lake, the growing, packing and distribution center has another 800 acres under production. Wildseed Farms produces 88 varieties of wildflower seeds, which are available individually and as regional mixes, specialty mixes or custom blends.

There is a growing market for top-quality wildflower seeds. The farm attracts the attention of people all over the country through retail sales, catalog sales and consumer education. At its Wildflower Market Center, seven miles east of Fredericksburg on Highway 290, fields of wildflowers bloom from March through October, boosting retail sales. More than 350,000 people a year stop by the Center. Visitors can explore walking trails, watch the farm staff work and take photos. They can buy wildflower seeds and pick up one of the farm's award-winning and extremely informative catalogs. And, for shopping and sipping, there's a gift shop and the Brewbonnet Biergarten.

Wildseed Farms has earned numerous awards and recognitions:

* Wildseed Farms Market Center won the 2001 National Garden Center Magazine Innovator Award for merchandising and management.
* Wildseed Farms' Alamo Fire Bluebonnet was selected the 2001 best of show Novelty Plant in Europe's Fleuroselect Trials.
* Wildseed Farms' owner and founder, John R. Thomas, was recognized by the Professional Agricultural Workers of Texas for outstanding Leadership in Agribusiness for the year 2000.
* Wildseed Farms' 2000 Wildflower Reference Guide and Seed Catalog won the Judge's award at the 13th Annual Florida Printing Awards presentation.
* Wildseed Farms Market Center Building was selected by the Texas Forestry Association as the winner of the "Excellence in Wood Design" commercial division award in 1999.
* Wildseed Farms' video, "How to Plant Wildflowers" , won the award of excellence in two categories at the 1999 Ideography Awards.
* Wildseed Farms' 1998 Wildflower Reference Guide and Seed Catalog was voted Best of Category at the 11th Annual Florida Print Awards.
* Wildseed Farms' Wildflower Reference Guide and Seed Catalog was chosen as a finalist in the 1998 American Catalog Awards.
* Wildseed Farms' famous Growers Guide to Wildflowers has been honored with the "Award of Excellence" given by the Printing Industries Association of Texas.
* Wildseed Farms is the world's largest supplier of Texas Paintbrush, Indian Blanket, Texas Bluebonnet and Lance-leaved Coreopsis seed in bulk.
* Wildseed Farms is the exclusive seed producer of the Laura Bush Petunia - rated as a "Texas Superstar" by the Texas A&M Agriculture program.
* Wildseed Farms consults as well as designs with leading landscape architects and highway departments throughout the United States to maximize the use of native and non-native flora.
* Wildseed Farms is the only company that has planted over 3,000 acres of wildflowers for beautification purposes in the South.
* Wildseed Farms' John R. Thomas, received the 2002 "Award of Excellence" from the National Garden Club, Inc.
* Wildseed Farms' John R. Thomas is a current panel member of industry experts for the monthly Garden Center magazine.
* Wildseed Farms, spearheaded by John R. Thomas, was the first company to use wildflowers in a successful erosion control experiment for landscape architects and the Texas Highway Department.
* Wildseed Farms' Regional Wildflower Blends were awarded the Seal of Approval from the member-tested National Home and Gardening Club

The Meadows at Wildseed Farms

The Meadows at Wildseed Farms features over 80 acres of "Flower Fields", gorgeous "Display Gardens", colorful "Walking Trails", and "Trial Plots" that contain hundreds of beautiful plant and flower varieties. Be sure and bring your camera! Photo opportunities abound! Photograph your family and friends in a sea of colorful wildflowers. Different seasons naturally feature different growth stages of these crops, and a field of red poppies in the springtime may be a field of cosmos or zinnias when you come back for a summer visit!

Our flower fields in bloom are SPECTACULAR! Planted for seed production, acres of Texas bluebonnets, corn poppies, verbenas, and many other species are accessible to the public in "The Meadows" area.

Pottery and Plant Nursery at Wildseed Farms

The Plant Nursery at Wildseed Farms is perhaps the best in the Texas Hill Country. Offering a large selection of Texas Natives, Grasses, Herbs, Trees, Roses, Ornamentals and a wonderful selection of pottery and statuary.

BrewBonnet Biergarten at Wildseed Farms

Plenty of refreshing cold drinks, delicious peach ice cream, tasty snacks, an incredible selection of beer and Texas Wine, and fine specialty foods are available in the beautiful Brew-Bonnet Biergarten. Sample our salsas, jams and jellies, pickled vegetables, and sauces! Take time to relax on our covered patio and enjoy the delightful views of colorful flower fields and gorgeous gardens all around you!

The Market Center at Wildseed Farms

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9:30 AM TO 5:00 PM CST

The Market Center at Wildseed Farms is constructed of aromatic Eastern red cedar and limestone. Its awe-inspiring architectural features and fine craftsmanship make it one of the most impressive building complexes in the Texas Hill Country. It houses our Retail Center and features a huge selection of Texas gifts, specialty foods and fine ladies' apparel. You'll also find jewelry, unique gardening gadgets, teeshirts, toys,seasonal items, and, of course, wildflower seed grown on the farm.

The Ladies' Boutique offers a wonderful collection of clothing, jewelry and accessories especially selected just for you by Marilyn Thomas! Whether you're shopping for yourself or others, you'll find something special in our delightful ladies boutique.

The Market Center is also well stocked with a wide variety of gifts for home and garden. Our quality products are carefully selected from the finest markets. We invite you to browse through our store for a unique shopping experience!

Our Catalog features seeds for over 90 varieties of wildflowers, grasses, herbs and exotic garden variety seeds. Shop online for a selection of products from our Market Center, including specialty foods, gifts, books, garden products, custom seed packets for wedding or party favors, bird feeders and wildflower seeds!