Friday, March 31, 2006

The Theodore Payne foundation will be conducting its annual Garden Tour from its site in Sun Valley on April 1^st and 2^nd. There are thirty gardens in all, and many native plants will be in bloom. Call (818) 768-1802 for more information.

Continued wet weather has literally saved the 2006 wildflower season. Look for local Southern California mountains to provide a bountiful display during the months of April and May.

The best place to view wildflowers right now is in the Antelope Valley, but not where you might expect. Yes, the Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve has a few poppies (Eschscholzia californica), some goldfields (Lasthenia californica) and some scattered pygmy lupine (Lupinus bicolor), but the real show at the preserve is probably two weeks off. Instead, venture to the northwest part of the valley for some spectacular fields of flowers. There are vast carpets of goldfields and California coreopsis (Coreopsis californica), along with scattered patches of golden poppy, desert dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata) and pygmy lupine. The best fields can be found by going north from Highway 138 on 170^th Street West Take the first dirt road past “A” street – this track is called Gaskell Road but is unsigned at this junction – and proceed west to the flowers.

The hills near Gorman have greened-up nicely, so expect to see some nice examples of goldfields, poppies and coreopsis in two to three weeks.

The wildflower season is finally beginning on Figueroa Mountain north of the city of Santa Barbara. As all of you know, the weather has been quite odd this year. With the heat wave we had in January and February, the wildflowers became rather confused. A few wildflowers, such as shooting stars began blooming in early January. However, there really weren’t that many. Others began blooming in February, including late blooming varieties, such as Indian paintbrush (Castilleja affinis), blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium bellum), bush poppies (Dendromecon rigida), bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons), sticky monkey flowers (Mimulus aurantiacus), scarlet buglers (Penstemon centranthifolius), wallflowers (Erysimum capitatum) and chocolate lilies (Fritillaria biflora). However, the snow that covered Figueroa Mountain for 3 weekends in a row, took a toll on quite a few of the wildflowers and set others back. This week, the colors of the Figueroa wildflowers are beginning to resurface.

Beginning your driving tour, at the bottom of the hill on Figueroa Mountain Road, just across the cattle guard, one will begin to see shiny yellow buttercups (Ranunculus californicus) along with purple fiesta flowers (Pholistoma auritum), Johnny jump-ups (Viola pedunculata), hummingbird sage (Salvia spathacea), blue dicks (Dichelostemma pulchellum), popcorn flowers (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus), lomatium (Lomatium californicum), miners lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), fiddlenecks (Amsineckia tessellata) and shooting stars (although these beauties are now turning to seed). Along the second bend, flaming red Indian paintbrush is blooming along the serpentine rocks. A bit further to the right, a small field of shooting stars, lomatium and popcorn flowers are in bloom. In the beautiful canopy area, just past this field on the left, one will see the sky lupine (Lupinus nanus) blooming. It is certainly much smaller than last year, perhaps due to the lack of early rain. In this area, fiesta flowers, buttercups, fiddlenecks, popcorn flowers and hummingbird sage are all in bloom.

Proceed up the hill, the beautiful orange California poppies are blooming along the road, as well as on the rocky hillsides. Blue-eyed grass is also in bloom up the second bend on the left. Ceanothus is still in bloom in this area, as well as throughout the mountain. Buttercups, goldfields, California poppies, blue dicks and lupine continue to bloom. Keep your eyes opened, a Catalina mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae) was spotted this week in one of the grassy fields. Usually when one comes out, others follow shortly after.

At Vista Point, chocolate lilies were in bloom, unfortunately, only a few, if any, survived the snow. However, there are goldfields, some shooting stars, buttercups and blue-eyed grass blooming in this area.

On the serpentine rocky area on the left, just past Vista Point, California poppies, coreopsis (Coreopsis californica), blue dicks, popcorn flowers, lomatium and buttercups are beginning to bloom. Just past the station, on the right shooting stars are present. In the rocky serpentine field, just before Tunnell Ranch road, a few wallflowers are in bloom.

The hills that are usually covered in poppies and lupine are just beginning to show signs of purple and orange. The bush lupines are beginning to bloom as well. From this point to the east side of Ranger Peak, only a few flowers are seen, due to the significant amount of snow we had, however, as one begins to go down in elevation on the east side of Ranger Peak, bush poppies, bush lupine, fiddlenecks and California poppies become more and more visible. A couple of sticky monkey flower bushes, Indian paintbrush and a wallflower or two were seen at the lower part of this stretch.

While heading towards Davy Brown and Nira, popcorn flowers, California poppies, fiddlenecks, a few lupine and bush poppies are in bloom. A couple of gooseberry (Ribes malvifolium) bushes are in bloom as well. Keep your eyes opened for these beauties along shady slopes. Their fuchsia-like red flowers are absolutely stunning. Along the road, on the left hand side, about one mile from Cachuma Saddle, baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii) are in bloom. About a half a mile before Davy Brown, a pink prickly phlox bush (Leptodactylon californicum) is in bloom on the gravely hillside on the right. One can see another display of baby blue eyes along the left rocky hillside as well as some more prickly phlox, in the winding area before the creek crossing at the Lower Manzana Trailhead.

While heading out Happy Canyon, there are really not very many wildflowers yet. A few shooting stars, fiddlenecks and Ceanothus are in bloom.

Due to the unusual weather, it is hard to know what to expect from this wildflower season, however, we will keep you informed as more wildflowers bloom.

Look for our next wildflower update on the second week of April, until then, happy spring and wildflower viewing. For more information about wildflowers on the Santa Lucia Ranger District, please call Helen Tarbet at 805-925-9538, ext. 246, or send her an e-mail at htarbet@fs.fed.us.

With each passing spring snowstorm the wildflower season in the local mountains is pushed back a little further. Along roads in the lower reaches of the San Gabriel Mountains the wild lilacs continue to please. Try Angeles Crest and Angeles Forest Highways for these spectacular native shrubs, along with some sticky monkeyflower, sugarbush (Rhus ovata) and lots of manzanita (Arctostaphylos ssp.) in flower. The purple-flowered ceanothus (Ceanothus oliganthus) are particularly beautiful in Pacoima and Sand Canyons. The maples, oaks and walnut trees are all in bloom, presaging a good showing of annuals and perennials once we receive a week or so of warm weather.

In the Santa Monica Mountains, try the China Flat Trail at the end of Lindero Canyon Road, north of the 101 Freeway. You should see dozens of species in bloom, including popcorn flower, red maids (Calandrinia ciliata), miner’s lettuce, pygmy luping, prickly phlox and southern suncups (Camissonia bistorta). To reach the trailhead, take Lindero Canyon until its end, then walk north on King James Court.

Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden in Claremont, located on Foothill Blvd. just east of Indian Hill, has dozens of species in bloom. You’ll find lots of golden poppies, along with blue-eyed grass, goldfields, flannel bush (Fremontodendron californicum), bush poppy, sticky monkeyflower, baby blue-eyes and several species of ceanothus. A nice feature of the garden is its cultivar area, where you can view dozens of species of native flora that have been bred specifically for use in home garden situations.

The Kern River Canyon along Highway 178 has goldfields, fiddleneck, caterpillar phacelia (Phacelia cicutaria), lacy phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia) and popcorn flower in bloom.

The flowers are finally out in Carrizo Plain National Monument. As you descend onto the plain from the Temblor Mountains on Highway 58 look for some nice fields of goldfields, California coreopsis, fiddleneck and hillside daisies. The Shell Creek Road area, a popular wildflower destination to the west of the monument, has greened up nicely and should have a nice show in about two weeks.

Deserts

A good high desert destination right now is Red Rock Canyon State Park, which is off of Highway 14 north of the town of Mojave. Near the park’s campground are many species in bloom, including yellow pepperweed (Lepidium flavum), Wallace’s woolly daisy (Eriophyllum wallacei), California coreopsis and goldfields.

Further south, try Bowman Road off of Highway 395 going toward the town of Ridgecrest. Along this road you’ll see Panamint catseye (Cryptantha angustifolia), cushion catseye (Cryptantha circumscissa), widow’s milkvetch (Astragalus layneae) and sand verbena (Abronia villosa) in bloom.

In Joshua Tree National Park, the park’s namesakes (Yucca brevifolia) are in bloom. The best places to see these unusual yuccas are at the parks west and north entrances. In Pinto Basin the ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) are now in full flower, along with quite a bit of yellow bladderpod (Isomeris arborea). Near the south entrance are chuperosa (Justicia californica), canterbury bells (Phacelia campanularia) and Bigelow’s monkeyflower (Mimulus bigelovii). The park’s cacti are just beginning to bloom, and should be in full color throughout April.

Near the west entrance to Death Valley National Park along Highway 190 are some nice examples of golden evening primrose (Camissonia brevipes), Bigelow’s monkeyflower, gravel ghost (Atrichoseris platyphylla) and desert stars (Monoptilon belliodes). South of Badwater, look for Arizona lupine (Lupinus arizonicus), desert gold (Eschscholzia glyptosperma), notch-leaf phacelia (Phacelia crenulata), Bigelow’s monkeyflower and gravel ghost on the alluvial fans between Ashford Mills and Jubilee Pass.

Northern California

As spring progresses Henry Coe State Park near San Jose has shown significant progress in its wildflower displays. Among the many species in bloom are shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), big-berry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca), red maids (Calandrinia cilata), milk maids (Cardamine californica), hound’s tongue (Cynoglossum grande), miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata), padre’s shooting star (Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp. patalum), woodland shooting star (Dodecatheon hendersonii), golden poppy (Eschscholzia californica), goldfields (Lasthenia californica), Indian warrior (Pedicularis densiflora), California buttercup (Ranunculus californicus) and Johnny jump-up (Viola pedunculata). To reach the park, exit the 101 Freeway at East Dunne Avenue in Morgan Hill and proceed east to the park.

Pacheco State Park still has some nice wildflower displays. Venture off the park’s trails to find shooting stars (Dodecatheon pulchellum), Johnny jump-ups (Viola pedunculata), fiddleneck, golden poppies, goldfields, butter and eggs (Linaria vulgaris), lomatium (Lomatium californicum), buttercups (Claytonia perfoliata) and miner’s lettuce. The park is located off of Highway 152 at Dinosaur Point Road between the towns of Los Banos and Gilroy.

Mt. Diablo State Park continues to have some nice displays of wildflowers. Look for wild cucumber (Marah fabaceus), golden poppy (Eschscholzia californica), Indian paintbrush (Castilleja exserta), bluewitch (Solanum umbelliferum), blue dicks, California buttercup and shooting stars. To reach the park, exit Interstate 680 at Diablo Road and proceed three miles east to Mt. Diablo Scenic Blvd.

The wildflowers are beginning to pop up at Pinnacles National Monument. Try the Balconies Cliffs Trail or the Juniper Canyon Trail for the best variety. Among the flowers in bloom are bladder parsnip (Lomatium utriculatum), fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia), milk maids (Cardimine californica), goldfields (Lasthenia californica) Douglas’ wallflower (Erysimum capitatum), big-berried manzanita (Actostaphylos glauca), bush lupine (Lupinus albofrons) and bush poppy (Dendromecon rigida). Ample rain the last several weeks points toward a nice bloom period throughout the month of April.

A drive along Highway 190 up the Tule River Canyon reveals a nice variety of blooming natives. Among them are , baby blue-eyes, popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys nothofulvus), red maids (Calandrinia ciliata), checker fiddleneck (Amsinckia tessellata), sticky monkeyflower (Mimulus aurantiacus), bush lupine (Lupinus albifrons), wild lilac (Ceanothus ssp.) and western redbud (Cercis occidentalis).

Wildflower Walks and Events

Theodore Payne Foundation:

3^rd Annual Garden Tour – April 1 and April 2 – Tour 31 native plant gardens. Theodore Payne Foundation, Sun Valley. Call (818) 768-1802 for more information.

Prisk Native Garden

Saturday, April 8 – Open House, 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. A rare chance to view this garden dedicated to the wild plants of California. Call (562) 439-6002 for more information.

Kern River/Southern Sierra:

Bioregions Festival – April 29 and April 30 – Tour the eastern Kern River Valley and the Eastern Sierra on Saturday the 29^th, and visit the Southern High Sierra on Sunday the 30^th. From 7:00 A.M. until dark. Cost is $45.00 for one day, $75.00 for both days. Email natureali@ixpres.com for information.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area:

Leo Carillo State Park – Adventure With a Ranger – Every Sunday at 9:00 A.M.

Pt. Mugu State Park – Adventure With a Ranger – Every Saturday at 9:00 A.M.

Coachella Valley:

The Living Desert sponsors wildflower walks to hotspots in the Coachella Valley each Wednesday through April 12. The cost is $35.00, and reservations are required. Call 760-346-5694, Ext. 2502 for details.

Placerita Canyon Nature Center:

Wildflower Walks – Saturday, April 9 and Saturday, May 14 – 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.

Eaton Canyon Nature Center:

Field Trips In Nature – a two hour class for children 5 and up. Cost is $5.00 per child. Call 626-398-5420 for information.

El Dorado Nature Center:

Discovery Tours – two-hour guided tour. Cost is $4.00 per person. Call 562-570-1745 for reservations.

Henry Coe State Park:

Wildflower Walks – Sunday, April 2 at 11:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M.