See Wildflowers at Death Valley National Park, California

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Contrary to its name, Death Valley comes alive with color and life in the spring. While the park is famous for its rare and spectacular wildflower displays, flowers are never totally absent in the off years. When conditions are right, the hills and valleys explode into a carpet of gold, purple, pink or white flowers. Deep soaking rain is essential for a desert floral display. To begin, a rainstorm of a half inch or more is needed to wash the protective coating off wildflower seeds and allow them to sprout. For plants to continue growing, rainstorms must come at evenly-spaced intervals throughout the winter and spring. Superblooms are fleeting, but they leave a lasting impression with park visitors and attract large numbers of pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. Check out the park’s annual wildflower update for the best times and trails to visit. Only under perfect conditions does the desert fill with a sea of gold, purple, pink or white flowers. Although there are years where blossoms are few, they are never totally absent. A good wildflower year depends on at least three things: Well-spaced rainfall throughout the winter and spring Sufficient warmth from the sun Lack of drying winds The best time of the year are based on elevations: Mid February to Mid April: Lower elevations Early April to Early May: 3,000 to 5,000 feet elevations, upper desert slopes, canyons, higher valleys Early May to Mid July: 5,000 to 11,000 feet elevation on mountain slopes, pinyon pine/juniper woodlands Greenwater Valley is best known for impressive displays of late spring wildflowers. Find out what's blooming and where throughout the desert, by going to Desert Wildflower Reports and/or The Theodore Payne Wildflower hotline http://www.theodorepayne.org/hotline.html. The barren fields along Highway 190 through Death Valley turn bright yellow with wildflowers each February.

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