Explore Palm Springs: Desert Wildflowers

Drought conditions have hurt the usual colorful desert

Renee Brown History

 

Where have all of the wildflowers gone?

The spring wildflower season in the westernmost extension of the Sonoran Desert (the Coachella Valley) begins in mid-February and ends in the middle of June.

Carpets of color have historically covered the arid desert plains from Palm Springs to Tucson and from Death Valley to northern Mexico.

The city of Palm Springs in years past has had wildflowers springing up on every vacant lot in the city extending out to the desert flood plains and up into the canyons.

This year due to the drought conditions, it is rare to see even one purple Verbena or yellow Encilia flower.

The desert floor this year has been limited to Creosote bushes and other plants that can survive without the rains of April that have made the desert bloom in May.

There is a multitude of ways to learn more about Palm Springs, which turned 75 in 2013. One of the more intriguing methods is by exploring the city’s history.

The Palm Springs Historical Society will share a weekly story whose time and place corresponds with today.

The Palm Springs Historical is located at 221 S. Palm Canyon Drive. For more information, visit www.pshistoricalsociety.org

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