Natural History Wanderings

Boyce Thompson Arboretum  reported as of Sunday, February 17, 2013, Wildflowers such as Mexican Golpoppies and Desert Marigold are beginning to appear along Highway 60 in Gold Canyon, 20-minutes west of the Arboretum; but wildflowers here are still few at our higher elevation. Staff predict wildflowers such as fiddlenecks, bluedicks, filaree and more will begin to appear by late February and early March — just in time for our series of Springtime guided wildflower walks that begin March 2 and continue each weekend March 10, 16, 24 and 30.

Wildflower tour guide Cass Blodgett visited the Arboretum Saturday February 16 to assess conditions and reports many plants appear to be delayed, compared to last year’s bloom, and said a colder winter is likely the cause. Cass added that showy wildflowers such as delphinium, wild rhubarb and globemallow look robust and within a few weeks of blooming strong.