GOING WILD FOR FLOWERS
Recent rain, other conditions suggest a super bloom could happen in Southern California ... but it may not
If Lady Gaga were a poppy instead of a pop star, she might perform a multiweek residency in Death Valley instead of Las Vegas.
Or not. Some years, starting in midFebruary or so, Southern California poppies and dozens of other wildflower varieties show up for a few weeks, bloom out and entertain the masses. Some years, they don't.
This year, by most accounts, they will. In fact, after a series of weather episodes that featured what old-timers call “rain,” some of the region's better wildflower venues could reach the rare, self-explanatory status known as “super bloom.”
For the record, it's not a lock, just a legitimate possibility. Super blooms are fickle and experts say the conditions that create them range from lots and lots of rain, to not too much rain, to when the rain happens to fall.
“A super bloom is basically a once in awhile event, maybe once every decade or two,” said Tim Becker, director of horticulture with the Theodore Payne Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes the preservation of California native plants and operates a San Fernando nursery that sells a wide range of native species.
Becker said the term generally applies to episodes of flowering plants erupting at the same time in the same area, typically in places where rain and moisture are more seasonal. So inland and desert areas typically can sometimes experience super blooms, while coastal areas tend to produce wildflowers on a more regular (if slightly less spectacular) basis.
“But California is such a big place; it's going to be variable, depending on where you're going.” Becker said. “If you want to see super blooms, look at the precipitation record to date in that area.
“And, of course, call our hotline.” Every year, starting in early March and running for about three months, the Theodore Payne Foundation offers a weekly wildflower hotline (818768-1802, Ext. 7) with tips on where to check out the latest blooms. The hotline is narrated by longtime actor Joe Spano — “Hill Street Blues,” “NCIS,” Chuck-E-Cheese (really) — and offers updates based on real-time informa
tion from citizen nature lovers.
For places with the most flowers, the excitement over blooms can be taxing. Huge crowds mean more people wander off paths, which can do long-term harm to a habitat. The crowds also mean more litter or other environmental insults. Flower fans say problems can be averted by following a few norms: Sticking to paths, observing park rules and generally treating the landscape with respect.
Becker also suggested people shouldn’t get hung up on labels. This spring, super bloom or no, it promises to be an excellent one for checking out wildflowers.
“It never gets old to go see wildflowers in their natural habitat,” Becker said. “Nothing quite hits the senses like an ecosystem in full bloom.”
Here’s a breakdown of a few regional floral hot spots, when flowers might bloom and some of what you’ll see if they do:
Chino Hills State Park
Poppies? Check. Violet owl clovers? Lupines? Mustard? Checks all around.
The 14,000-acre park is one of the region’s best, most easily accessible wildflower locales. With about 60 miles of pathway, there are treks that can work for pretty much everybody. (For information about the most flower-friendly routes, go online and look up “best wildflower trails in Chino Hills State Park.”)
For what it’s worth, rains were heavy enough in early January to close some trails. That’s changed, but be sure to check conditions before visiting. Also, to avoid crowds, weekdays are best.
Black Star Canyon
The first part of this 6.7mile (roundtrip) hike in Cleveland National Forest near Santiago Canyon in Orange County is pretty easy, mostly on a smooth dirt road. The second part, which features much of the 800-plus feet of elevation gain, includes muddy or wet streams, many boulders, and it isn’t as easy.
But, most years, it is where you’ll see flowers starting now. California lilacs and bright yellow fiddlenecks are the stars, but everything from poppies to mustard is likely to bloom over the next four to eight weeks. Dogs are allowed but leashes are required. (Also, the boulders really are pretty big. Your dog might reject some of the climbing options.)
For information, go to alltrails.com and check out Black Star Canyon.
Malibu Creek State Park
As you walk through this 8,100-acre park, and after you note how so many spots look like the many, many movies and TV shows filmed here, you might see one of the more spectacular wildflower displays in the region. Cudweed asters, goldenbush, white and purple nightshade, deerweed, morning glory, bushmallow, mulefat; all these and more pop up for several weeks most years, starting in mid-February or earlier.
Fires have scarred some of the landscape, though flora is already reclaiming charred land, a recycling process that can supercharge the annual wildflower blooms. Also, in other areas, rain was heavy enough in the fall and in early January that some spots already are blooming. More rain in the next few weeks could mean a particularly long season.
But even in a no- or low-bloom year, the place doesn’t disappoint. Just don’t bring your dog; dogs aren’t allowed.
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
The California poppy is the state flower and the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve is protected under state law, so maybe there’s some kind of kismet here.
By many accounts, this poppy bloom is the most consistent statewide, a happy result of location (15 miles west of Lancaster, close enough to be influenced by the desert but far enough so that the temperatures are only sometimes unbearable) elevation (2,600 to 3,000 feet), and precipitation.
The place even has a poppy cam.
This year, the bloom — which typically kicks off in late February and runs through early May — could be goosed by rains that came during a summer monsoon and storms that hit from November through January.
The show isn’t limited to poppies. Other flowers include the owl’s clover, lupine, goldfields, cream cups and coreopsis.
There are 7 miles of trails, including a paved section for wheelchair access, which traverse the poppy fields.
Palos Verdes Point Vicente
Becker noted that the coastal ecosystem in much
Death Valley
The festively named national park roughly 260 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, which draws tourists from around the world, is famous for ephemeral (really; that’s the scientific term) wildflowers that, on the years they happen to pop up, are postcard inspiring. Last year’s bloom was so-so. The year before is no longer discussed. But conditions this year are, so far, excellent.
The flower options in Death Valley are as varied as any place on earth. Early season, lower-elevation varieties include desert gold, golden evening primrose and the desert five-spot. Mid-elevation (3,000-5,000 feet) varieties include desert dandelion, brittlebush, desert paintbrush, indigo bush and desert globemallow. And in higher elevation spots (5,000-11,000 feet), varieties include desert mariposa, purple sage, rose sage, Panamint penstemon, magnificent lupine and Inyo lupine.
Death Valley wildflowers typically bloom starting in mid-February. In the lower elevations, they keep blooming through mid-May, and in the higher elevations, they can go into July. For detailed information, go online and search for Death Valley National Park.