Peak Blooming Periods for Desert Wildflowers
Mid-January to Mid-March
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Imperial Valley
Best areas: Holtville, Algones Dunes, south of Hwy. 80 between Calexico and Ocotillo.
Dominant Species: desert lilies, evening primrose, lupine, phacelia.
Early February to end of March
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Anza Borrego (lower elevations)
Best areas: base of Superstition Mountains, west of Imperial, Borrego Valley.
Dominant Species: desert lilies, lupine, verbena, primrose.
Mid-February to Mid-April
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Death Valley (lower elevations)
Best areas: Jubilee Pass, Hwy. 190 near Furnace Creek Inn, base of Daylight Pass.
Dominant Species: desert star, blazing star, monkey flower, poppies, verbena, evening primrose.
Late February to Mid-April
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Coachella Valley
Best areas: north shore of Salton Sea, Box Canyon, Del Sol Rd.
Dominant Species: verbena, evening primrose, hairy-leaved sunflower, geracea
Early March to Mid-May
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Antelope Valley
Best areas: Quartz Hill, east and west of Palmdale, Fairmont, Hi Vista.
Dominant Species: poppies, phacelia, coreopsis, mojave aster, gilia, primrose.
Mid-March to Late May
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Anza/Borrego (higher elevations)
Best areas: Anza, Julian, Warner Springs.
Dominant Species: poppies, buttercups, lupine, penstemons, mallows.
Morongo/Yucca Valley
Best areas: Along Twentynine Palms Hwy, Old Woman Springs Rd.
Dominant Species: encelia, poppies, blazing star, yucca, joshua tree.
Early April to Late May
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Death Valley (2,000 - 4,000 ft.)
Best areas: Panamint Mountains
Dominant Species: paintbrush, desert rue, lupine.
Mid-April to Late May
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Joshua Tree
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East Mojave
Best areas: Along Route 66 from Barstow to Needles, Joshua Tree National Park.
Dominant Species: desert sunflower, sage, asters, poppies, verbena, yucca, joshua tree.
Late April to Mid-June
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Death Valley (above 4,500 ft.)
Best areas: Panamint Mountains
Dominant Species: wildrose, golden rabbitbrush, Panamint daisies, mariposa, lupine.
Early May to Late June
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Owens Valley
Best areas: Lone Pine, Alabama Hills
Dominant Species: gilias, phacelias, daisies
Desert Senna - Senna armata
Some years the desert is spectacular with wildflowers, other years the blossoms are sparse. A "good" wildflower year depends on three things; well-spaced rainfall through winter and early spring months; sufficient warmth from the sun; and the lack of desicating winds.