Wildflowers occur in the mountains, grasslands, wetlands and in deserts, but the characteristics of each environment evoke different emotions. The desert is known for its sparse, dry terrain, which receives little rain and extremely high temperatures. Normally, the desert is painted with browns, mauves, pastels greens and grays. But during the Spring,the dull desert palette becomes filled with new brilliant shades of blue, magenta, yellow, white and red. 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. 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 March through June. But rest assured, no matter when you visit the desert, there are always plants in bloom.