Should be blooming soon? (Phoenix, Apache Junction: scorpion, arboretum, parks)

[ElleTea]

So, with the rain this weekend, will the desert start to bloom? Where is a good place to go see wildflowers? And when?

[Ponderosa]

Not this year. You have to have rain at regular intervals throughout the winter and cool temps. We have had neither. That does not mean there will be no flowers, but it will not be a good year for them. There should be a bunch of weeks in your rocks, though, and a lot of weed letters going out from HOAs. The cactus and Palo Verdes bloom as usual. That will be later though in April-May, with saguaros in June.

[Jkgourmet]

Hopefully, this should tide you over until next year - It's my favorite site for looking at photos of desert flowers. No, I have no commercial interest in this, but admit that the photographer is a friend of my husbands.

The page also incudes wild flower reports. Facebook required.

Wildflowers of Arizona

[wit-nit]

You should see some spectacular color around Picacho Peak and around the Superstitions in the Apache Junction area in about a month or so.
The AZ Republic (azcentral) usually (in the Mar-April time frame) has a feature on their weekend sites showing where the flowers are blooming at the time.

[Meemur]

Take photos and post them, Elletea! We got 3.9" of snow last night in the Des Moines metro.

I need to see some flowers! (;

[ElleTea]

Originally Posted by Meemur

Take photos and post them, Elletea! We got 3.9" of snow last night in the Des Moines metro.

I need to see some flowers! (;

There are flowers here all winter long, purple ones outside my window, even

I want to see wildflowers!

[cre8lite]

not in the phx valley, but might be worth the drive (~5hrs from phx to vegas, an additional ~2 to death valley)

Death Valley Wildflower Report - DesertUSA

[PhureeKeeper]

Try Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
Should be spring flowers there in a couple of weeks.

It's just outside of the town of Superior. About an hour and a half drive for you from N.West Phx.
You can take your dog(s) with you if they are well mannered and kept on a leash.

boycethompson.org

[observer53]

Originally Posted by PhureeKeeper

Try Boyce Thompson Arboretum.
Should be spring flowers there in a couple of weeks.

It's just outside of the town of Superior. About an hour and a half drive for you from N.West Phx.
You can take your dog(s) with you if they are well mannered and kept on a leash.

boycethompson.org

Second this suggestion. It's a really nice drive there, and a lovely place to visit. Picnic area there too, pack a lunch.

[S. Chris Webb]

The wildflowers have already been in bloom! I've seen plenty of brittlebush, Mexican Gold poppies, fiddlenecks, scorpion weed, and even some lupines... right here in Phoenix, at Deem Hills Recreation Area. I recommend Phoenix's new preserves - Phoenix Sonoran Preserve - they are a little bit higher elevation and receive an average of 5" more rain per year. The flowers should be pretty good out there.