At almost any time of the year, some flower, shrub, cactus, or tree is in bloom. Depending on the temperature and rainfall, each season brings fresh new hues to the Arboretum's grounds. The first great burst of color explodes after the winter rains. It triggers dormant seeds to sprout. Plants mature, flower and produce new seeds in a few weeks before drought sets in again.
Some spring blooms fade away in a few days or weeks.
Others remain all season and into the summer. Wildflowers . are found throughout the Arboretum grounds. In the Cactus Garden and Paperflower , Narcissus tazetta , Aril Iris, Mediterranean Crocus, Crocus will assault your senses with color and fragrance. And in the Demonstration Garden , the desert meadow comes alive with color as it flaunts its wildflower blooms in procession from March through July. Here, you can spot Vervena, Verbena goodingii , Primrose, Oenethera species , Penstemon, Owl's Clover, Orthocarpus purpurascens , Purple Aster, Aster bigelovii , African Daisy, Dimorphotheca sinuata , Desert Marigold, Mexican Hat, Ratibida columnaris , and Firewheel, Gaillardia pulchella . . .