Death Valley wildflower photographs: March 2005

Wildflowers: When and Where
Desert Survivors, 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