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Wildflowers At Pinnacles National Park

by Amanda

Shooting Star (Dodecatheon) — Shooting Star (Dodecatheon) was the highlight for me at the park. Popping up in bright pink clumps along streams, this wildflower made the most impact on me.

I've been traveling throughout California for weeks, enjoying the California Poppies starting to show their colors along the highways and other wildflowers basking in the sun.

This past weekend, at Pinnacles National Park, a variety of wildflowers were blooming and I went on a scavenger hunt of sorts. With help from the rangers, I was able to identify the gorgeous wildflowers blooming among the caves, cliffs and rolling green hills of the park.

Buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus) — Certain varieties of Buckbrush (Ceanothus cuneatus) can only be found in this area.

Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum) — Blue Dicks (Dichelostemma capitatum) looks gorgeous blooming alongside California Poppies, which I didn't get to see in the park.

Woolly Indian paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa) — Woolly Indian paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa) painted the rocky hillsides orange at the park.

Woolly Indian paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa) — More Woolly Indian paintbrush (Castilleja foliolosa) along the beautiful hillside.

Popcorn flowers (Plagiobothrys) — Popcorn flowers (Plagiobothrys) is a delicate, white wildflower.

Indian Warrior (Pedicularis densiflora) — Indian Warrior (Pedicularis densiflora) is often used to color tea.

Mixed wildflowers off the highway outside the park.

Close up on Shooting Star — More Shooting Star found along the path.

With wildflowers starting to bloom in warmer areas of the country, it brings up the age old question, "when to plant?"

For gardeners past the chance of frost: If you didn't get the chance to plant in the fall, the cooler season (late winter) is the perfect time to plant wildflower seeds. Try to plant right before you know there might be light rain in the area to help the seeds germinate without having to water.

For gardeners still experiencing below-freezing temperatures: We know you want to plant, but now is not the time! Wait to sow your wildflower seed until the chance of frost has passed in your area and ground temperatures have warmed.

Field of Shooting Star — Another Shooting Star photo for good measure.

To learn more about how to plant wildflower seed, read our planting guide.