Wild Flower Hotline March 13, 2026

0:00Welcome to the Theodore Payne Foundation's Wildflower Hotline, I'm Tom Henshel. The hotline offers weekly online and recorded updates on the best locations for viewing Spring Wildflowers in Southern and Central California. All locations are on easily accessible public lands and range from urban to wild, distant to right here in LA. One of the best landscapes representing California's tectonic past is found within the spirals of rock and cliffs that give pinnacles national park its name. Over the millennia, Oak Woodlands, Shapirol, Grasslands, and Reparion plant communities have emerged and now host a diversity of flora and fauna. Depending on the trail you choose, lovely Spring Flowers can be seen. Look for the dainty pink California hedge metal in the shade of mature trees of Reparion Habitat, silver bush loopens on the other hand grow in sunny open areas where they tend

1:02to form low mounds of flowering bushes. If you're hiking the high peaks trail, elegant Clarkia grows in a variety of ecosystem types but most often in woodland areas are Shapirol. Modern Wallflower stands out along the trail with its bright orange flowers sitting high atop this plant's long stem. Fiesta flowers, both white and blue species, can be found in partially shady patches tucked under trees and shrubs. Look up to the sky and you might spot a rare California condor soaring above. Hike the Froome Creek Trail at Irish Hills Natural Reserve in San Luis Obispo County to walk through stands of black sage in full bloom and experience the breathtaking aroma of coastal sage scrub. Coast Mourning Glory is replete with whimsical pink two-inch blossoms. Hummingbird Sage is busy attracting its namesake pollinator.

2:04Cianothus, monkey flower and deer weed have bountiful fragrant blossoms. Endemic to this region is the oh high frittalery, a cousin of the chocolate lily but even more dramatic an appearance if you can believe it. Woodland Star, Shapirol P, Padre's shooting star, blue eyed grass and star lily complete this cast of beauties. Take a detour up the poppy trail to find bush poppy in profuse bloom. It's hard not to feel an air of solemnity on the drive to Will Rogers State Historic Park in the Santa Monica Mountains. You'll pass the former site of vibrant homes lost in the Palisades fire. The area is an extremely dynamic landscape after the fire and heavy rainfall this winter caused additional damage to the area. Park staff are working hard to make trails affected by the burn and subsequent washouts safe again. Use a pay all closures to protect yourselves and park staff.

3:08You'll find most wildflowers are blooming along the main inspiration loop trail. Take heart though, for upon sitting foot in the park you'll see that nature is working its magic to heal the landscape and ecological succession is well on its way. Shades of yellow and gold dominate the recovering landscape with California bush sunflower, bush poppy, deerweed, sticky monkey flower, golden yero, canyon sunflower, coastal lotus, shaperal lotus, and the prolific common fire follower, whispering bells. Blue purple and pink flowers are scattered throughout this yellow palette and include giant flowered facelia, sticky facelia, stinging lupin, blunt-leaved lupin, blue dicks, brontons, milk-vech, and purple nightshade. A few pink and white blossoms belonging to morning glory, cryptenta, cliff-aster, and cattelina meriposa lily are sprinkled throughout the landscape as well.

4:09You won't find much shade following the fire, so be sure to bring lots of water and wear sun protection. Be mindful and safe while hiking. Located at the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada, Red Rock Canyon State Park features a scenic, vividly colored cliffs, buttes, and spectacular rock formations. Hike the Red Cliffs Nature Trail to see the little Red Rock Canyon monkey flower that only occurs here. It's not as profuse as other years, but it is in bloom. Look for bright royal blue chia mixed with yellow desert dandelion. This blue yellow color combo makes for a spectacular display. What about our pincushion flower, gold fields, seep monkey flower, booths evening primrose, yellow pepper crests, and desert evening primrose? Driving further north on Highway 14, bright yellow brittle bush, and coral-colored desert mellow are just coming into bloom along the road.

5:13Located south of Riverside in the Gavilan Hills area near Lake Matthews, you can explore the magnificent Harford Springs Reserve. Here, hikers can traverse over 300 acres of land that sits on a plateau 2,000 feet above sea level. Oaks found in Reparian habitat, stately California junipers growing among the jumble of boulders and rocks, and a nice variety of spring wildflowers on trails that lace around the park make this place a true hidden gem. If you're an avid nature photographer, the reserve is the perfect place to practice your hobby, capturing the abundance of flora and fauna and epic views on film. Abundant flowers to be seen along the trails now include California poppies and gold fields. There are a good number of cream cups, miniature lupin, popcorn flower, baby blue eyes, California suncup, Chinese houses, and many stemmed woolly sunflower.

6:14That's it for this week's report. At Theorapane.org to see photos of these and more wildflower sites shared this week. Don't forget to buy your tickets for the native plant garden tour taking place April 11th and 12th. Tickets are available online at store.theorapane.org, in person at Theorapane Foundation Sun Valley or in store at Los Nagales Nursery. The next report will be available Friday, March 20th.