"The Natural State" is graced with more than 600 species of  wildflowers. Wildflowers are now being utilized by the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) to help beautify the over 200,000 acres of highway roadsides it maintains.  AHTD's Wildflower Program has three parts: a Wildflower Route Program, which preserves existing wildflower populations; Operation Wildflower, which establishes new wildflower  populations; and the Wildflower Sign program which strives to increase public awareness of the AHTD Wildflower Program.  These programs help reduce long-term maintenance costs, enhance roadside wildlife habitat, provide an attractive roadside environment, and preserve native plant populations.  

Photograph by John Jackson

Wildflower Routes               Throughout the State of Arkansas, approximately 1,000 miles of Highways have been included in a system of Wildflower Routes to showcase existing wildflower populations.  Maintenance practices along these routes allow annual and perennial wildflowers to prosper and return year after year.    (Click here to see the AHTD Wildflower Routes).

Operation Wildflower         Operation Wildflower establishes new roadside wildflower populations with seed donated by a sponsor.  Wildflower populations may be established along interstates and primary highways with wide rights-of-way because of their potential for showy displays in the large planting area they offer.  Planting sites are limited by safety restrictions, site accessibility, chemical and physical soil characteristics, and the availability of seed. (Click here to see the wildflowers that will be along our state's highways).       

Wildflower Sign Program      The Wildflower Sign Program increases public awareness of the AHTD Wildflower Program by providing signs identifying wildflower areas sponsored by local clubs, groups, and businesses.   (Click here to see one of our sponsored areas).

  A Colorful future                 Through preserving existing wildflowers, planting native wildflowers along highway rights-of way, and the Wildflower Sign Program, many of Arkansas' roadsides erupt into glorious blankets of color year after year.

Photograph by John Jackson

Click on the following for your  copy of the Wildflowers of Arkansas Roadways in PDF format.  (Please allow 10 min. for each download to complete).

Wildflower Brochure - Side One (616.59KB)

Wildflower Brochure - Side Two (836.71KB)

For free brochures on the                         Wildflowers of Arkansas Program:   Arkansas State Highway                                              and Transportation Department                                  10324 Interstate 30                                                     P.O. Box 2261                                                                  Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-2261                               (501)569-2000