March 4, 2005Near-record rains are bringing forth a profusion of color all over Southern California. Experts say this spring may offer the most spectacular showing of wildflowers in at least fifty years. As important as rainfall is to wildflower growth, getting the right amounts of rainfall at the right time is just as important. California flora is unique in that most species evolved to take advantage of seasonal rain patterns much different from the rest of the continent. Our rainy season begins in the fall and continues through early spring. As such, most annual species sprout from seed in the fall months and continue to grow slowly throughout winter, culminating with flowering in the early spring. The 2004-2005 rainy season has been characterized by consistent precipitation; a near constant barrage of drenching storms from the fall through the month of March. Several area are near or have exceeded rainfall records. For example, Death Valley has received over six inches of rain, exceeding records dating back more than a century. This type of consistent rain is a recipe for an explosion of color. 2005 is a year likely to be remembered as the wildflower show of a lifetime. The best display right now is at Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Borrego Valley is covered by huge carpets of desert sunflowers. Along Henderson Canyon Road you will see dune evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides), and at the mouth of Coyote Canyon there is brown-eyed evening primrose (Camissornia claviformis), Arizona lupine (Lupinus arizonicus) and bajada lupine (Lupinus concinnus), spanish needle (Palafoxia arida) and sand verbena (abronia villosa). Along Highway 78 to Ocotillo Wells is brown-eyed evening primrose, popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus) and Fremont’s pincushion (Chaenactis fremontii). At the south end of the park along Road S2 is rock gilia, Arizona lupine, brittlebush (Encelia californica), chuperosa (Justicia californica), phacelia, chicory (Rafinesquia neomexicana) and desert star (Monoptilon belliodes). Along Road S22 four or five miles east of Borrego Springs is a thick carpet of purple sand verbena. Down the Montezuma Grade are vast displays of California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), brittlebush and rock pea (Lotus rigitus). Higher elevations at the park should be in peak form by mid-March. The Coachella Valley is having its best bloom in decades. In the west end of the valley along Interstate 10 there is desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata), Fremont’s pincushion and brown-eyed evening primrose. South of Palm Springs, a hike up Andreas and Murray Canyons reveals phacelia, canterbury bells (Phacelia campanularia), fiddleneck (Amsineckia tessellata), popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus) and wild hyacinth (Dicholestema capitatum). Along Highway 74 below 2000 feet elevation there is Arizona lupine, desert lavendar (Hyptis amoryi), notchleaf scorpionweed (Phaclia crenulata), Fremont’s pincusion, chicory, California evening primrose (Oenothera californica) and brittlebush. There are massed displays of desert dandelions along Mission Creek Road off of Highway 62, with wild heliotrope Phacelia distans), fiddleneck, Fremont’s pincusion and popcorn flower mixed in. In this area you will also see large patches of Canterbury Bells. The Edom Hill area is stunning right now. Exit I10 at Date Palm and travel north to Varner Road. Here you’ll find desert sunflowers, lupine and sand verbena. Death Valley National Park has received over six inches of rain this season, exceeding all records, and the reward is a spectacular show. At the south end of the park are vast fields of desert gold (Eschscholzia glyptosperma), with desert star, evening primrose and phacelia. The rest of the park is covered with emerging green plants that promise a prolific bloom by mid-March. In Joshua Tree National Park, the cholla cactus gardens have bladderpod (Isomeris arborea) and purple chia (Salvia clevelandii) in bloom. The south entrance is covered by a carpet of flowers, including desert dandelion, Fremont’s pincushion, forget-me-nots, brown-eyed evening primrose and dune primrose. Near the north entrance several Joshua trees are in bloom. At the south boundary along Cottonwood Canyon Road are chuperosa, brittlebush, desert star, ghost flower (Mohavea confertiflora) and parachute plant (atrichoseris platyphylla) blooming on the bajadas. In about two weeks the Pipes Canyon Preserve at the end of Pipes Canyon Road promises to put on a wonderful show. South-facing slopes in the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve are already covered with the gold of our State Flower. You will also find pygmy lupine (Lupinus bicolor), fiddleneck and cream cups (Platystemon californicus). The rest of the park should be in peak display in about two weeks, and it promises to be one of the best shows in history. Lower elevations in the Santa Monica Mountains have begun to show color. Along the Mishe Mokwa and Sandstone Peak trails an astonishing 52 species have been observed in flower, including massive displays of shooting stars (Dodecatheon pulchellum), hoary-leaf ceanothus (Ceanothus crassifolius) and hairy-leaf ceanothus, wild cucumber, prickly phlox (Leptodactylon californicum), eastwood and big-berry manzanita, blue larkspur, blue dicks (Dichelostemma pulchellum), California peony (Paeonia californica) and chocolate lilies (Fritillaria biflora). The balance of the recreation area should be in bloom by late March. On Santa Barbara Island of Channel Islands National Park there is giant coreopsis Coreopsis giganteum), wild hyacinth, goldfields (Lasthenia californica), southern island morning glory (Calystegia macrostegia ssp amplissima) and wind poppies (Stylomecon heterophylla). In two to three weeks there should be an incredible showing of yarrow (Achillea millefolium), along with island tarweed (Hemizonia clementina) and Santa Barbara Island buckwheat (Eriogonum giganteum ssp compactum). North of Santa Barbara, a drive along Figueroa Mountain Road rewards the traveler with wonderful wildflower displays. Just past the first cattle guard you will find popcorn flowers, blue dicks, buttercups (ranunculus californicus), fiddlenecks, shooting stars and Johnny jump-ups (Viola pedunculata). After a couple of bends in the road are owl’s clover (Orthocarpus purpurascens), pygmy lupine and chia. At Vista Point, 11.4 miles from the bottom, are spectacular displays of chocolate lillies. Also here are shooting stars, lomatium and buttercups, with blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum) just beginning to bloom. One mile below Figueroa Fire Station the slopes on the left are carpeted with lupines and poppies, while bush lupines (Lupinus albiforns) are in their earliest stage of bloom. Shooting stars are massed along both sides of the road as you approach Ranger Peak. Along Sunset Valley Road are poppies, popcorn flowers, bush poppies (Dendromecon rigida) and fiddleneck. In Kern County, a drive up Rancheria Road northeast of Bakersfield yields views of popcorn flower, fiddleneck, narrow-leaf suncup (Camissonia refacta), San Joaquin blazing star (Mentzelia pectinata) and Coulter’s jewelflower (Caulanthus coulteri var lemmonii). On Bena Road near Bakersfield are golden poppies, Sierra tidytips, bladderpod, sky lupine and phacelia. The Kern River Valley is covered in green and should have an outstanding bloom by mid-March. Northern California Henry Coe State Park near San Jose has several species in bloom, including scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), red maids (Calandrinia ciliata), morning glory (Calystegia macrostegia), Indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis), miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), blue dicks, Padre’s shooting star (Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp patulum), ground iris (Iris macrosiphon), goldfields, dove lupine, arroyo lupine and slender phlox (Phlox gracilis). Expect the show to peak in the next two weeks. Pinnacles National Monument also will peak in two to three weeks. Blooming now are baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii), bladder parsnip (Lomatium utriculatum), blue fiesta flower (Pholistoma auritum var auritum), bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons), bush poppy, chia, cream cups, Fremont’s star lily (Zigadenus fremontii), Parry’s larkspur (Delphinium parryi ssp parryi) and virgin’s bower (Clematis lasiantha). Along Highway 49 near Jackson the hillsides are covered with golden poppies. The Sierra foothills are just coming into bloom and will peak in the next one to three weeks.
Popular areas we’ll be covering in the coming weeks:
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Be sure to see the Theodore Payne Native Garden Tour -- April 2nd & 3rd 2005
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