Marching Into Full-Bloom Flower Madness In Southern California

One of the joys of being Irvine's premier landscaping design specialist is getting to see the fruits - and blooms - of your labor. If you've been considering transforming your home's outdoor spaces, the pros at Whole Nine Yards are here to assist you with plant selection and planting, tree planting, irrigation system installation, and more.

Climate compatibility, water access, and soil conditions are all important considerations when choosing plants for your landscaping project. If you're specifically looking for plants that bloom in the early spring, a good guide is to look to nature.

In March, Southern California bursts into a vibrant display of wildflowers, with the iconic California poppy taking center stage. Here's a more detailed look at some of the flowers you might see:

Wildflowers

• California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica): The state flower, this vibrant orange beauty can carpet entire hillsides.
• Lupine (Lupinus spp.): Often found alongside poppies, lupines add splashes of blue and purple to the landscape.
• Fiddleneck (Amsinckia spp.): These yellow-orange flowers with their coiled flower heads resemble a fiddle's neck.
• Desert Marigold (Baileya pleniradiata): Thriving in drier areas, these bright yellow flowers add a cheerful touch to the desert landscape.
• California Lilac (Ceanothus spp.): These shrubs bloom with clusters of blue, purple, or white flowers.
• Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana): Found in coastal areas, this iris displays elegant violet, lavender, and blue flowers.
• Matilija Poppy (Romneya coulteri): Known as the "Queen of California Flowers," this poppy boasts large, white, crepe-paper-like flowers with yellow centers.
• Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis): This tree heralds the arrival of spring with its magenta or lavender-pink blossoms.
• Other Wildflowers: Depending on the location and rainfall, you might also spot cream cups, wild hyacinth, shooting stars, buttercups, milkmaids, Johnny jump-ups, chocolate lilies, scarlet Indian paintbrush, goldfields, fiesta flowers, and popcorn flowers.

Cultivated Flowers

• Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus): These flowers are known for their many layers of delicate petals in various colors.
• Tulips (Tulipa spp.): Descanso Gardens, for example, is known for its beautiful tulip displays in March.
• Daffodils (Narcissus spp.): These cheerful yellow flowers are another popular spring bloom.
• Cherry Blossoms (Prunus spp.): Various Southern California botanical gardens and parks often have cherry trees blooming in March.

Where to See Them

• Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve: A classic destination for California poppies.
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Offers a diverse display of desert wildflowers.
• Carrizo Plain National Monument: Known for its vast grasslands and wildflower blooms.
• Chino Hills State Park: A great place to see California poppies and other wildflowers.
• The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch: Features acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers.
• Descanso Gardens: Offers beautiful displays of tulips and other spring flowers.
• Local Parks and Hiking Trails: Many local parks and trails throughout Southern California offer opportunities to see wildflowers and other spring blooms.
• Your Own Backyard: Hiring a landscaping design expert can deliver stunning views of brilliant blooms that you can enjoy right in your own backyard.

Note: The exact timing and abundance of blooms can vary each year depending on rainfall and temperature. You can check resources like the Theodore Payne Foundation's Wildflower Hotline for updates on the best viewing locations.

If you're looking for an experienced landscaping design specialist to assist with plant selection and planting to give your Irvine garden full-bloom flower madness, call the pros at Whole Nine Yards today at 855-4Whole9.