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Wildflowers in California
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The Question: "When will the wildflowers bloom?"
The answer: "It depends..." (Usually accompanied by a shrug of the shoulders)
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Longitude, latitude, altitude, soil type, rainfall, temperature, sun,
and wind are among the most important factors determining the magic date.
The variables are quite literally infinite.
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Longitude, latitude, altitude and soil type are crucial determinates not only of when wildflowers will bloom but even more fundamentally which plants will grow in that particular location. Generally speaking plants growing in the south will bloom before the same types of plants bloom further to the north. Plants growing in lower elevations will generally bloom before their cousins growing at higher altitudes. It is not unusual to see blooms in the southern deserts in mid-winter while plants growing in the highest elevations in the Sierras will bloom in mid-summer.
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Correct amounts of rain are needed throughout the winter for proper seed germination, but too much rain may well wash seeds away. The timing of the rain is also relevant. If it comes too early or too late it can ruin the bloom on some plants. Obviously wet-land plants require far more water than desert plants. The one welcomes a deluge and thrives in storms while the other seeks limited showers of gentle rain spread evenly through the winter. Heavy rain after the bloom has commenced can also ruin the flowers.
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Temperature and exposure to the sun are also critical elements in determining the time and extent of the bloom in all plants. Warm days and cool nights are excellent for most wildflowers, but if the days get too hot and/or the nights get too cold it will have an adverse effect on the bloom. Obviously "too hot" and "too cold" are conditions that are different for different plants in different locations. These considerations are also a factor after bloom has started. Excessive heat and or cold can ruin the flowers before they can be enjoyed.
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Wind is important throughout the year and impacts the extent of the bloom each year. Early hot winds can dry out and spread seed before it has a chance to germinate, but gentle breezes can actually be very useful in protecting the plant from excessive heat. If the timing is just right the wind will also spread the seed so that the fragile plants are distributed over a larger area. If high winds occur during the bloom they might destroy the flowers and spread the pollen before the seeds have been produced. This will obviously adversely impact the following years bloom.
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Although no one will know for sure, a pretty good prediction can usually be made by those that live closest to the plants. Among the best folks to ask are the regional, state, and national park services personnel in the area that you are interested in, but frequently native plant societies, commercial nurseries, garden clubs, farmers, chambers-of-commerce, lodging establishments, and "old timers" are also excellent sources. Some organizations have wildflower telephone hot-lines. The best thing to do if you really want to see the flowers at their zenith is to plan ahead as best you can and then be very flexible so that you can move quickly once you know that the blooms are peaking. Many of the flowers are only at their prime for a very short period of time.
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