The hills are painted with the colors of spring, and a variety of upcoming wildflower walks will make sure you won’t miss a single bloom. Spring brings native beauty to the Irvine Ranch, from the state flower, California poppy, to the whimsically-named bush monkey flower.
Whether it’s a wildflower walk or any other activity out on the landmarks, bring your camera and maybe a wildflower field guide in pursuit of the lupine, Parry’s phacelia, common fiddleneck, wishbone bush, blue-eyed grass, and chia in bloom now. The landmarks also have a large showing of yellow deerweed blooms and pink bush mallow flowers, as these are known as “fire followers,” which are more active in the years immediately following wildfires.
Whether it’s a wildflower walk or any other activity out on the landmarks, bring your camera and maybe a wildflower field guide in pursuit of the lupine, Parry’s phacelia, common fiddleneck, wishbone bush, blue-eyed grass, and chia in bloom now. The landmarks also have a large showing of yellow deerweed blooms and pink bush mallow flowers, as these are known as “fire followers,” which are more active in the years immediately following wildfires.
To increase your odds of seeing many of these natives, register for programs along Hick’s Haul Road, where a good variety can often be found. A trip to Bommer Canyon will reveal fields of fiddleneck, or take in an activity in Orchard Hills for wishbone bush and lupine. Loma Ridge is a good spot for white lupine, bush monkey flower, some early California buckwheat, and Indian paint brush.
For other natives, purple sage should be on display on Shoestring Trail and the rare Catalina Island mariposa lily can be found on the upper part of the Dripping Springs Trail and portions of Sand Trap Trail. Visitors will have to look a little harder for this rare species, as well as owl’s clover and chocolate lily.
Many of these wildflowers are annuals, which bloom after the winter rains and disappear with the summer heat. There are plenty of wildflower hikes and walks to choose from at www.LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
For other natives, purple sage should be on display on Shoestring Trail and the rare Catalina Island mariposa lily can be found on the upper part of the Dripping Springs Trail and portions of Sand Trap Trail. Visitors will have to look a little harder for this rare species, as well as owl’s clover and chocolate lily.
Many of these wildflowers are annuals, which bloom after the winter rains and disappear with the summer heat. There are plenty of wildflower hikes and walks to choose from at www.LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
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