Have you seen the flowers? It’s a vibrant and special spring here in southern California.
“A superbloom is a rare botanical phenomenon in California in which an unusually high proportion of wildflowers whose seeds have lain dormant in desert soil germinate and blossom at roughly the same time… associated with an unusually wet rainy season.” — Wikipedia
Some great places to ogle wildflowers:
- Near Ventura: Los Padres NF, Point Mugu SP, Carrizo Plain NM, Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve
- In the desert: Death Valley NP, Joshua Tree NP, Anza Borrego SP
Be a responsible flower tourist:
- Consider heading to less-trafficked blooms. Learn about local trails with apps like AllTrails, or joining local organizations like your local chapter of the CA Native Plant Society or Los Padres Forest Association. (More cool orgs here!)
- Tread carefully. Stay on-trail, and don’t step in/ among the flowers. Watch for baby critters and critter-tracks!
- Learn before you go. Visit a ranger station, keep the southern CA wildflowers app handy, and cross-reference with other botanical resources. (Local fav plant books: “Medicinal Herbs of California” by Lanny Kaufer, “Wildflowers” by Mitt McCauley, the whole Michael Moore series)
- Plant your own wildflowers! Convert your front yard, balcony, or whatever space you have into a native wildflower haven. Or, grow delicious herbs (now is the time!) such as hardy mint-family plants like basil, mint, thyme, sage, rosemary, or oregano in full sun and well-drained soil. Add carrot-family herbs like cilantro, parsley, dill and versatile chives in partial shade. Get seeds here!
UPCOMING
Nourishing Life Retreat | Embody the Five Phases (五行) through yoga asana, intuitive movement, creative expression, and nature connection at the gorgeous Esalen retreat center along the Big Sur coast.
Free Herbalism Project | Celebrate botanical medicine with this annual free event in Eugene, OR with Mountain Rose Herbs. Enjoy free music, tea, talks, and botanical revelry.
Seasonal Rhythms | Explore lifestyle medicine to support thriving health throughout the wheel of the year with the Five Phases (五行) of East Asian medicine and their correlating seasons, flavors, and body systems. (This class is online, through Wintergreen Botanicals’ advanced herbalism program. Sliding scale & BIPOC discounts available.)
RECOMMENDATIONS
- New Interview: Botany Everyday, Marc Williams
- Upcoming Event: Nourishing Life @Esalen
- Plant Your Garden: Local Native Plant Nurseries
❤️ May your garden grow with beauty, in peace
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