WILDFLOWERS: WHEN AND WHERE

 

January, 2002

The extent and timing of desert wildflower blooms varies greatly from one year to the next. Fall and winter precipitation and spring temperatures are key environmental factors affecting the spring blooming period. Many annuals in the low desert germinate October-January. They may need a good soaking rain to get started.

In addition to rains at the right time, plants also require warm enough temperatures before flower stalks will be produced. Green leaf rosettes may cover the ground in January. However, the flower stalks may not send blooms up until temperatures rise much later in the spring.

Wildflowers may begin blooming at lower elevations in February and at the higher elevations in March and April. Deserts above 5000 feet may have blooms as late as June. Cacti bloom latest. Their water storage capacity allows them to hold off until very late to take maximum advantage of the sun's rays and warmth.

Finally, when looking for desert wildflowers, you must learn to accept disappointment. Flowers in the desert are remarkable because they are unusual. If you're looking in a dry year, you probably won't find many blooms. In one locality, some Survivors went looking for flowers in March and saw only dry yellow grass and last year's straw-like stalks. Rains later in the month produced great blooms in April in the exact same spot. The 1998 flower season was the best in 35 years -- even the New York Times noticed it! In 1999 and 2000 blooms were meager; Anza-Borrego's 1999 rainfall (2.34 inches!) was only 1/3 of its 30-year average. Then in 2001, flowers were again good; the rains came back. Whatever may happen in any given year, plant growth itself in the desert is a miracle.

Spring blooming periods

Lower elevations (sea level to 3,000 feet)
Yuccas: March and April
Annuals: February, March and April
Cacti: March, April and May

Higher elevations (3,000-6,000 feet)
Joshua Trees and Yuccas: April and May
Annuals: March, April and May
Cacti: April, May and June

Places to Call for the Latest Information

Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve
(661) 724-1180
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
(760) 767-4684
Carrizo Plain
(805) 475-2131
Death Valley National Park
(760) 786-2331
Joshua Tree National Park
(760) 367-5500
Living Desert Museum (Palm Desert)
(760) 346-5694
Lone Pine Visitor Center (Owens Valley)
(760) 876-6222
Maturango Museum (Ridgecrest)
(760) 375-6900
Mojave Desert Information Center (Baker)
(760) 733-4040
Red Rock Canyon State Park
(661) 942-0662
Theodore Payne Foundation
(So. California hotline)
(818) 768-3533