The Coolidge examiner., 1932-05-27
A REAS of southern California

~ which are normally arid, have
recently burst forth in riot
of cOlorful wild flowers due to the
unusually heavy rainfall.
California has many showcases
for the display of her diversified
floral wares. In the high Sierras are
the snow plants, peeping inquiringly
and a bit neryously through the
snowcaps when the first warmth of
spring moves the solid pack To
mushy activity. Further down the
slopes. lichens, mosses, sundry fam
lily groups of ferns, and many vari-
cites of wild flowers merge into
the wooded lowlands, where, espe-
cially north of the Tehachapi noun
rains. the live oak spreads its shape
ly limbs and often affords protection
while adding beauty to the pasture
land, where herds of fat Herefords
browse.
In the northern part of the state
roses grow with little cultivation,
but with the profusion of goldenrod
in Pennsylvania. No mere bushes
suffice for the wealth of blossoms.
They grow on trees, often TO
height of Il feet or more, and curl
Gus results of intergrafted varieties
are sometimes found in freakish
but delightful array on a single tree.
In Santa Cruz arbors cover the side
walks of some of the streets. and
over these roses, interwined with
geraniums, climb and rest in clus-
ters.
Though the cultivated flowers
which abound are beautiful and
dunes, Scotch broom, and rhododen-
drons of Crescent City, which Is al
most the last outpost in California
before the Redwood highway reaches
the Oregon line, TO Ramona's gar
den, In San Diego, only a few miles
from the Mexican border, Ii is to the
wide open spaces" the desert and
mountain sides of the southern part
of the state, which we turn In chief
appreciation.
One may see and study the STOW
plant under the dome of Shasta, dip
into the wonderland of plant and
flower life at the experimental
farm of the late Luther Burbank,
near Santa Rosa, or wander through
San Francisco's Golden Gate park,
where he finds practically every va
riety of flower and plant that will
grow under a kindly sun.
Dons Party Dress in Spring.
In the early spring California
dons her party dress and looks her
best. The winter rains have tinted
hillside and pasture land a verdant
green. In the citrus areas the deli
cate orange blossom fills the air
with its perfume, and miles of trees
stretch like milky ways as far as
the eye gay follow.
In other sections cherry blossoms
stage an exhibition. The almond
trees are indescribably lovely. The
landscape is filled with color. while
snow-capped peaks are seen through
the tree tops.
This is cultivated loveliness; but
one day, after a searching rain fol-
lowed by warm sunshine, a noun
tain side suddenly bursts into fame
"a veritable spontaneous combus-
tion. Literally, all outdoors becomes
one vast garden of flowers. until it
seems there is no end to the color
ful panorama.
The "cup of gold." as the Span
iards called the California poppy. is
the queen of wild flowers.
And the desert Who can look
upon the desert in the spring and
2 talk of barren waste? Even Death
valley. for ages CALIFORNIA; bogy
spot, place TO he spoken of in
awed whisper, death trap. now
has tourist hotels and tent camps.
Desert vegetation exhibits its
greatest growth and beauty between
February and May. 1t includes the
yucca and juniper. the cre0Sote and
mesquite. many varieties of shrub
and herbage. an occasional Joshua
tree, mixed with Indian pain'nrush
Ca member of the yucca fam
fly). monkey flowers. lupine, prickly
phlox. wild buckwheat. blazing.
star, sunflower. barrel cactus bloom
ocotillo. and many others. giving
for a season the impression of a
slower-carpeted world. In this lush
period the desert literally blossoms
as the rose. although the rose does
not ordinarily blossom in the des.
err.
The term wild flowers" does not
describe some of this desert fora
Occasionally they are savage flow.
ers, capable of protecting them
selves better than any man-made