{"id":1740,"date":"2023-05-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livingdesert23.wpengine.com\/?post_type=tld_desert_digest&p=1740"},"modified":"2025-07-22T03:18:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T10:18:20","slug":"a-super-time-for-desert-blooms","status":"publish","type":"tld_desert_digest","link":"https:\/\/www.livingdesert.org\/zoo-news\/gardens\/a-super-time-for-desert-blooms\/","title":{"rendered":"A Super Time for Desert Blooms"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

By:\u00a0Shanna Winters, Conservation Department\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Springtime in the desert is like no other place on earth and, here in the Coachella Valley when the flowers bloom, we are treated to a show of nature\u2019s splendor that draws people from across the world. We occasionally have a “superbloom,”\u00a0a magnificent, heart stopping event that inspires us with the power of nature.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To spur on the blooming, the desert needs rain in the fall to trigger germination\u00a0and additional rains throughout the winter and spring to keep the plants growing. Some desert plant seeds\u00a0can wait decades in the sandy soil for just the right conditions to bloom. These plants have relatively short lives, giving all their energy to grow and bloom just once.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

These blossoms are delicate\u00a0and the incredible sight of seeing thousands\u2014 even hundreds of thousands\u2014\u00a0of blooms draws us all to see them. Regretfully, the crowds going out to see them are contributing to a decline in\u00a0their blooming. When people park their car in the fields\u00a0or walk off the trails, they may not know the impact of disturbing where the seeds may have fallen for the next bloom cycle.\u00a0Some even pick the flowers, removing them entirely from the ecosystem. Plants are the basis upon which the ecosystem is built. The superbloom plants are annuals, putting all their energy into growing flowers.\u00a0The flowers support native pollinators, such as bees, moths, and birds, and\u00a0their seeds support small animals and birds for years to come. These seeds are adapted to rest in the soil for years (some of them up to 40 years), until the conditions are right for them to create the next superbloom.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, we are working to preserve and restore many of these beauties to the desert, to help ensure this grand display of biodiversity in the Coachella Valley and beyond. Seeds are essential for our ongoing restoration projects where we are working to restore the plants\u00a0and then introduce animals, such as the desert tortoise, back into their native habitats. We also work to plant native plants in areas where native pollinators are in decline, providing the basis for all species in the Coachella Valley, including people, to experience the full spectrum of plants native to our wonderful desert paradise.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Throughout the Living Desert, you\u2019ll see many species of plants and blooming flowers. The Zoo and gardens are a family-friendly space to view these miracles of nature, with many options for food, water, and rest areas as you take in the sights. Here are just a few of the blooming plants and where you can find them:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa<\/em>), found in the Native Bee Garden.\u00a0Blooms January \u2013 June and\u00a0August \u2013 September.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"brittlebush\"<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Engelmann prickly pear (Opuntia engelmannii<\/em>), found in the Chihuahua Garden.\u00a0Blooms\u00a0March – May.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Engelmann<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens<\/em>), found in the Upper Colorado Desert Garden.\u00a0Blooms March – July.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Ocotillo<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Mexican evening primrose (Oenethera speciosa<\/em>),\u00a0found in the Tribute Garden. Blooms April – July.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Mexican<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Skyflower (Duranta erecta<\/em>),\u00a0found in the Tribute Garden. Blooms primarily in the summer and fall.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Skyflower<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In addition to The Living Desert, there are many places throughout the area with beautiful blossoms to view from during superbloom and beyond. For the most up-to-date information on desert wildflowers, visit\u00a0desertusa.com<\/a><\/strong>. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n