California spring is here and this year’s wildflower season is ahead of schedule.
The hotter temperatures this year and the timing of rainfall are causing flowers to bloom earlier than usual, leaving less time for people hoping to catch them in the wild.
Kate Mawdsley is a volunteer docent at the Jepson Prairie Preserve in Dixon. She spoke with Insight’s Laura Fitzgerald about the “super bloom” season and where to go now to catch them.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Interview Highlights
What is a “super bloom,” and are we getting one this year?
The “super bloom” really came into public awareness two or three years ago when there was a really intense flowering of our spring plants, especially down in Southern California and more especially out into the desert. And technically, the term ‘super bloom’ really only applies to the desert.
So, there was a “super bloom,” but it just doesn’t apply to us.
Why are wildflowers blooming earlier this year?
This year’s wildflower season is well advanced. Most people I know who follow flowers agree that things are running about a month early this year.
What that means is if you want to see flowers, get out there now.
Are we at peak bloom right now?
I was just about finished with a wildlife tour, and my eyes fell on a little lily family relative that is one of my traditional signals for we’re winding down the season.
The fact that these brodeas are coming into bloom now means that we’re certainly toward the peak and almost past the peak of the season.
Where should people go to see wildflowers right now?
In our area, it’s mid-season, but there are good displays in the places I’ve been.
Bear Valley in Colusa County or Jepson Prairie, but probably most state parks in this area will be fairly good now.
It may not be the miles of color that you hear about, but there will be something blooming.
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