Will There be Another Super Bloom in California This Year?
There was such an expansive explosion of bright wildflowers covering Southern California’s dry landscapes last year that you could see images of the flowers from space. A vibrant and rare sight, the super blooms drew large crowds of people. Even swarms of butterflies couldn’t resist migrating to the abundance of plants. As spring approaches, we're eager to know: Will mother nature bless Southern California with more super blooms this year?
Super blooms, or a number of wildflowers exceeding normal spring blooms, typically occur in desert landscapes when excess rain is followed by cold weather, which locks moisture into the ground. While it’s still a little early to tell for sure, predicted rainy weather indicates that super blooms are likely to occur. And since California’s drought officially ended last year, the explosion of wildflowers might be even better in some areas this year.
Blooms are likely to spread across the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Los Angeles again this year. Chris Hon, a senior environmental scientist whose district includes the reserve, told the Los Angeles Times that the area has received more than five inches of snow this season. “We have received cold weather as expected for a possible superbloom or whatever you want to call it,” Hon said. “If we have sustained rains to keep the poppies growing, we will likely have some type of superbloom.”
Palm Springs is also likely to see wildflowers. “All in all, it will be a good year in most places,” Ecological consultant James Cornett told The Desert Sun of super blooms in Palm Springs. “We’re waiting to see if it becomes a great year.”
Eager to see blooms soon? The first place with prominent blooms of desert sunflowers, and purple sand verbena will be Cathedral City, Riverside, according to The Desert Sun. Joshua Tree National Park’s south entrance will also feature early-blooming flowers.
In the meantime, let’s hope for plenty of rain in California.
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