Mild winter spurs wild beauty at five blossom-viewing sites
As winter recedes, here are places to see pretty, wild blossoms:
Arizona deserts scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve; azstateparks.com
Look past the spiney cactuses to one of nature’s most unexpected gifts, the desert wildflower. After winters like this one, the spring landscape comes alive with lupine, desert chicory, poppies and beardtongue. Choose from 180 miles of hiking trails in Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, or venture south to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park.
Cherry blossom season Fourseasons.com
If cherry blossoms are your jam, Four Seasons hotels in Washington, D.C., and Kyoto, Japan, have you covered. Both establishments offer specialized viewing recommendations and treats, as well as easy access to the showy pink and white petals.
Georgia blooms GeorgiaStateParks.org/ events
Join park rangers for low- or no-cost guided wildflower walks in the Georgia State Parks. Get to know the unique attributes of the Canada violet, trout lily, wild azalea, spring beauty, foamflower, trillium, Indian pink and the buckeye. Choose from short walks or longer treks through more challenging terrain.
The Wildflower Train in Suisun City, California WRM.org
All aboard for an 11-mile round trip adventure aboard the historic Scenic Limited, which gets underway from the Western Railway Museum. In April you’ll enjoy the rolling Montezuma Hills and views of Mount Diablo as you rumble down the old Sacramento Northern Railway tracks. Consider a picnic lunch on the museum’s shaded grounds before viewing the 50 historic cars and vintage streetcar that make their home on the 22-acre site. in Ventura, California www.nps.gov/chis/ planyourvisit/wildflowerviewing.
Blossoms abound on these five islands just off the California coast, each offering a floristically unique landscape. More than 800 plant species make their home here; 145 are reportedly found nowhere else on the planet. Vibrant red paintbrush, island morning glory and pale buckwheat are among the plants that add to the islands’ palette.