Craving those superbloom shots? This is your best chance to catch all the latest garden gossip on the best blooms in Southern California this week, as well as two different flower shows and other gardening events that will get your superbloom fever going. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell to be notified of all the biggest blooms and garden events in Southern California, as well as cheap and easy garden DIY projects. Subscribe here: awww.youtube.com/@CaliforniaGa...
Today I’m not only going to share some fabulous blooms that you can visit all over Southern California, you’re going to want to stick around because I’m also going to give you my best tips on shooting the superbloom.
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Superbloom etiquette:
“take only photos, leave only footprints,”
best times to visit are weekdays
carry plenty of water
wear layers
stay on trails to avoid compaction of roots for future flower enjoyment
leave your dog at home,
don’t pick or step on the flowers or take seeds
watch out for snakes and other flower loving critters,
check for ticks afterwards.
Best Superbloom Photography tips:
Get low and take a shot from the flower’s perspective.
Look for interesting backdrops.
Shoot in the “golden hour” when the sun is rising or setting.
Go on a day where there are some clouds for contrast.
Take photos of the flower’s details.
If you see a pollinator near you, hold still and let it get closer for a macro shot
Best Blooms 3/15-3/21
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: blooms are peaking in the following areas, according to the Theodore Payne Foundation Wildflower Hotline (TPF). Areas of interest include: Coyote Canyon, area north of Henderson and DiGiorgio Roads, Glorietta Road. Note that this area is very remote and services are limited. Carry plenty of water, watch for cactus and stay on trail. Blooms are expected to peak in the next couple of weeks, so plan a trip if you want to see this beautiful desert bloom.
Arlington Garden, Pasadena: I visited this garden recently and found so many pollinators fluttering around the blooming rosemary, borage and other pollinator attractants. You can also see a number of California natives in this sweet urban garden located in Pasadena.
California Botanic Garden, Claremont - I love this garden, which consists of only California natives. Right now you can see pink and white manzanita, blue ceanothus, pink and white flowering currants and more.
Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge: This gorgeous garden north of Los Angeles is one of the best places to catch the spring blooms. The tulips are absolutely fantastic right now and Descanso estimates they’ll be peaking this week. You can also see red, pink and white camellias, pink cherry blossoms, yellow and white daffodils, irises, pink and white magnolias, and several California natives beginning their bloom.
Santa Rosa Plateau, Riverside County: The beauty of native shooting stars make a dazzling display at the Vernal Pools Trail and Engelmann oaks shelter patches of shiny yellow buttercups.
Theodore Payne Foundation, Sun Valley: This is one of the best places to find California native plants, both available for sale and for viewing.
Garden Events 3/15-3/21
Saturday, March 16
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Saturday Plant Walk with the Botany Society. Saturday 9 AM-12 PM. Location TBD. $15 non-members, $10 members, $5 students.
Descanso Gardens, La Canada Flintridge
Spring Blooms Activity, Saturday and Sunday, 10 AM - 12 PM
Enjoy fun, spring-themed crafts for the whole family in celebration of our flowers in bloom on March 15 and 16 from 10am-12pm.
Spring Blooms Tour, Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM - 12 PM
Guided walking tour of the Lilac and Japanese Gardens at Descanso on March 15 and 16 from 11am-noon. Meets at Center Circle.
Los Angeles County Arboretum, Arcadia
Daylily & Bulb Show, Palm and Bamboo Rooms, Saturday 10 AM- 4 PM
The Southern California Hemerocallis & Amaryllis Society sponsors this annual show that features educational displays and demonstrations. Bulbs will be for sale.
Japanese Floral Art Exhibition, Ayres Room, Saturday 11 AM- 4:30 PM (Also open Sunday 11AM-4 PM)
“Friendship through Flowers” is the motto of the Ikebana International, whose Los Angeles Chapter #4 presents this exhibit of Japanese floral arrangements by five ikebana schools.
Sherman Library and Gardens: Clivia Show: Saturday 10:30 AM- 4 PM
Visit the largest Clivia show in North America, featuring an amazing array of forms and varieties. The show will include plants with attractive pastel shades and interesting leaf variegation and textures
Monday March 18
Descanso Gardens Extended Hours Begin: Open from 9 AM-7 PM from March 18-August 31, 2024.