Spring is the time for desert wildflowers. Many think of the desert as a hot, dry, desolate place, with little more than a couple funny-looking cacti. In fact, the desert can have a spectacular display of wildflowers, especially in the spring.
Among the four major deserts in North America, the Sonoran Desert is considered to have one of the best wildflower displays. Two hotspots (read: lots of people) are Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona, and Anza-Borrego State Park in California, but there are lots of places to visit. For example, I’ve found some great patches in Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in Arizona.
A good resource to keep up on what’s currently blooming where is Desert USA’s Wildflower Reports, which are broken down by region. Check it before you go anywhere to maximize your chances of finding lots of wildflowers. And don’t forget your sunscreen and water bottle.
A few field guides I’ve found helpful for identifying flowers:
