Different wildflowers bloom at different temperatures and soil conditions. Wildflowers in sand dunes are much different than those in the mountains. DesertUSA has an excellent selection of wildflower books for identifying the wildflowers. Check our wildflower reports for more local information on the wildflower blooms. Research the areas that you will be going before you leave home.
Bring a digital camera or a regular camera and lots of film. A magnifying glass will let you see the flowers up close.
Don't touch or pick flowers, buds or seed plants. Don't step on the green plants.
Be in the desert on a sunny day between 10-3:00 if you want to see poppies when they are open and the most beautiful. On cold days the flowers will close.
Never touch any type of cactus. The tiny spines you can't see will get you.
Watch for the wildflower pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, ants, bats, and beetles. They are an important part of the wildflower ecosystem.
Globemallow are pretty but also called "sore-eye poppies" because if you touch your eyes after touching the flower the star shaped hairs will irritate your eyes.
In State and National Parks you can't collect plants, harm plants or animals, pick up any type of plant skeletons, collect wood, or pick up archaeological or historical objects or even take rocks from the Parks. For wildflower viewers.... remember, it is illegal to pick flowers in several states, know the laws.
When Will The Wildflowers Bloom?
Although it is an annual event, the wildflower season is never the same from one year to the next. Weather conditions play an integral role in the outcome of each wildflower season. If the winter has too much or little rain, or if the temperature is too warm or cold, the seeds of desert annuals will remain dormant or bloom in fewer numbers. Only when the conditions are near-perfect will you witness a spectacular wildflower showing, a time when an abundance of aromatic colors fill each landscape with a breathtaking effect.
Due to the wet weather conditions in the desert, experts are predicting that the 2005 wildflower season may be early and above average, some wildflower are in bloom already. A decade may pass with less than fruitful wildflower displays, but when the conditions are just right, the wildflowers fill the landscapes in a phenomenal riot of color.
It is difficult to pinpoint the best time to visit the desert during the spring wildflower season, which generally occurs from; late February through June. But rest assured, no matter when you visit the desert, there are always plants in bloom. I have seen Mojave Aster, Banana Yucca, Creosote, Brittlebush, Primrose, Lupine and a few other common wildflowers in bloom. The recent rain and warm weather has spurred an early bloom for some plant species. Be sure to check our Wildflower Updates for current conditions.
For tips on taking good photos see
Desert Photography and Digital Cameras
