Wildflower Watch

by Angelica Elliott,
Desert Botanical Garden

Poppies, Owl Clover, Desert Lupine - the desert is exploding with color in what promises to be a spectacular wildflower season. Catch the show now before the short-lived ephemerals disappear. As temperatures rise, these beauties produce their seed and fade away.

The conditions that make a "must see" wildflower season occur about once every ten years. An unusually wet and early fall/winter rainfall begins the process. Then soil temperatures between 50° and 80° trigger germination of seeds which can lie dormant for years, insuring preservation of the species.

For up-to-date wildflower sightings, visit these websites: dbg.org; DesertUSA.com; and desertmuseum.org. Or call the Desert Botanical Garden's plant hotline at 480-941-1225. New flowers are popping up daily!