About the Desert FlowersVisitors to the Sonoran Desert are eager to view the hillsides covered in flowers as they may have seen pictures of this scenery on postcards or calendars. Naturally, people wonder, "when is the best time to visit?" Those incredible photos are taken during years when rainfall, temperature and timing are favorable. This does not happen regularly as seasons change from year to year. In order to produce a season of wildflower superblooms, we need multiple seasons in a row of favorable conditions, which can be quite rare. Soils and terrain are also an important factor, so, with all of these variables at play, there is no perfect way to predict any year's bloom for any one place. Saguaro National Park has some flowers in bloom nearly every month of the year, and visitors can expect to see at least three flowering seasons. Just keep in mind the unpredictablity of of the timing and/or extent of blooming for these showy desert flowers. Spring Flower Season (March)The spring flower season is entirely dependent on local conditions. Here at Saguaro National Park, blooms are often best mid-late March. Soils at the park are not suited to host large displays of these flowers, but most of the flowers listed below can be found in a normal season.
Cactus Flower Season (April - May)More reliable in blooming, water-storing cacti put on a great display in the spring of most years. The first week in May is when you will likely find the greatest number of species in bloom at Saguaro National Park. Specifically, the saguaro cactus is often in peak bloom toward the end of May. Many shrubs and trees also bloom at this time.
Summer Flower Season (June - September)This season stretches throughout the hot summer months and includes a variety of plants. Good summer rains can increase late blooming of many species, and the high elevations of the Rincon Mountains harbor many summer-blooming flowers not found on the cactus forest floor.
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Last updated: March 20, 2024