Joshua Tree National Park - Wildflower Viewing (U.S. National Park Service)

What’s Blooming Now?

April 4, 2008

It's April and the blooming wildflowers in Joshua Tree National Park are now being seen at higher elevations. Flowering is still occuring from Pinto Basin south, especially sand verbena and sunflowers. Where annuals are beginning to dry up, they are being replaced by blooming shrubs such as brittle bush, chuparosa, and ocotillo.

Along the north side of the park, desert dandelions carpet the ground from 29 Plams to Joshua Tree. Joshua trees and Mojave yuccas have been blooming for several weeks in Queen Valley, Lost Horse Valley, and up in Black Rock Campground. Cacti are also beginning to bloom throughout the park.

You may view the species in bloom and its location by clicking on the colors above.

Joshua trees from bud to bloom.

Wildflowers When and Where
The extent and timing of spring wildflower blooms in Joshua Tree National Park may vary from one year to the next. Fall and winter precipitation and spring temperatures are key environmental factors affecting the spring blooming period. Normally desert annuals germinate between September and December. Many need a good soaking rain to get started.

In addition to rains at the right time, plants also require warm-enough temperatures before flower stalks will be produced. Green-leaf rosettes may cover the ground in January; however, flower stalks wait until temperatures rise.

Wildflowers may begin blooming in the lower elevations of the Pinto Basin and along the park’s south boundary in February and at higher elevations in March and April. Desert regions above 5,000 feet may have plants blooming as late as June.