Wildflower scenery aided by rainfall

By Megan Martin, For the Tribune
February 9, 2008

The desert brown will soon be blanketed in vibrant colors as the wildflowers begin to bloom.
Above-average rainfall this winter will produce one of the most vivid displays in recent memory, said Dan Avendano of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior.
The wildflower season is set to begin in mid-February and will last through March, Avendano said. During that time, colorful displays will be seen throughout the state, especially in city and mountain preserves.
"This will be one of the best wildflower seasons," Avendano said. "It'll be in the running for the best I've seen."
He said the abundance of rain, combined with cooler temperatures, may lead to perfect conditions.
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Phoenix said the Valley's official gauge at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has recorded 4.17 inches of rain since Oct. 1 - compared to only 1.05 inches during the same time period in 2006-07.
"Even more rain falls in the higher terrain toward the east, especially in Scottsdale and Fountain Hills," said meteorologist Doug Green. "With all of this rain, it sounds like a perfect deal for the flowers."
Some of the most abundant wildflowers will be globe mallows, with their familiar red-orange coloring, as well as desert marigolds and various species of poppies.
"Orange, pink, lavender, yellow ... it's going to look great," Avendano said.
One of the most common ways to experience wildflowers is through the car window, but Avendano recommends getting the full experience.
"There are some flowers you have to get into the desert to see," he said. "You have to walk around to see some of the small flowers."
He warns those who do walk around the desert to be careful, as rattlesnakes, certain types of weeds and rough terrain can all be dangerous.
While the wildflowers will be found throughout the state, Avendano recommends the 100-mile drive from the East Valley along U.S. 60 to Globe and then along U.S. 70 and state Highway 170 to San Carlos.
"The Mexican poppies are everywhere," he said. "It's the best scene that I've seen."
In anticipation of the wildflower season, Phoenix has put together a wildflower viewing guide on the city's Web site. Besides listing the several types of flowers one might encounter, the site also lists various places around the city that should see an abundance of flowers. The list includes Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak.

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