Orange County’s natural landscape is slowly becoming colorful again.
Although recent cloud cover has delayed the spring season’s bloom in some areas, native plants have begun to flower in community gardens and in open space areas across the county – reminding residents of what the state’s natural landscape really looks like.
“California’s flowering native plants are important because they give us a sense of place to separate the California appearance from that of other places,” said Chuck Nichols, a volunteer with the UCCE Master Gardeners and Irvine Ranch Conservancy. “If you look at some of the wildflowers in Orange County, especially, you’ll see what California was supposed to look like.”
California is home to more than 6,000 species of native plants, some of which are only found within the state. Orange County alone is home to hundreds of species.
“One of the flowers that you’ll be seeing, specifically in Orange County right now, would include things like the arroyo lupine,” said Chrystene Newman, Program Coordinator for Community Engagement and Education at Irvine Ranch Conservancy.
Other plants native to the region include stinging lupine, California poppies, fiddleneck, caterpillar phacelia, golden violets, chia, wild hyacinth, blue eyed grass and popcorn flower, according to Newman.
Local community gardens have begun to grow some of these native plants.
“Once we planted the natives, we had a whole different set of butterflies come in and birds, and even insects,” said Carly Sciacca, Assistant Director of the South Laguna Community Garden. “Creating a natural habitat is something that most community gardens want to do, but sometimes the space is really limited and they don’t have the volunteers to maintain this.”
“If you create a more natural environment, you are going to have a more balanced ecosystem.”
Flowers can also be seen at the conservancy’s Native Seed Farm, and some throughout the county’s open space lands, such as Hicks Haul Road within the Irvine Ranch Open Space.
The farm was created in 2009 to supply the conservancy’s habitat restoration projects with native seeds and young plants.
52 species of native plants are currently growing at the farm, according to Newman.
What’s different about this year’s spring season?
While some report that spring is starting earlier across the United States, the most apparent change locally is the increase in rainfall.
“It’s really hard to tell if spring is getting earlier, but I am seeing a noteworthy change in the patterns of our rainy season,” said Newman. “Southern California is one of only a handful of places in the world that has what’s called a Mediterranean climate, notable for its hot dry summers punctuated by wet winters. These last two rainy seasons have been unusually wet, and have followed the three years of drought we recently experienced.”
“Our native flora are adapted for varied conditions, but it does mean that some years are better than others for wildflowers,” she said. “With the extended rain and cooler temperatures we’ve been getting this rainy season, I’m seeing a real delay in some of our wildflowers.”
This delay is being seen in other open space areas around the county, such as Chino Hills State Park.
“Currently, we are not experiencing a significant wildflower bloom,” said Garrett Fuhrman, District Multimedia Coordinator for Inland Empire District at California State Parks.
“Despite ample rainfall in recent months, the combination of cooler temperatures and excessive cloud cover has posed challenges for promoting wildflower growth within the park. Particularly sought after, the California Golden Poppy, has yet to flourish due to the prevailing weather conditions.”
Golden poppies require six to eight hours of sunlight per day to “bloom vibrantly,” according to Fuhrman.
“With more rain forecasted, we anticipate that a large bloom may not occur in the near future. However, as the weather warms up and we experience a stretch of sunny days, there remains potential for flower growth,” Fuhrman said.
Why are native plants important?
Native plants provide an infrastructure for the county’s natural ecosystem.
“Native plants, they’re vital in the environment, because they support all the native wildlife including insects, pollinators of all kinds, butterflies, and hummingbirds and all those things that are so important. pollinators, you know, pollinate at least three quarters of our food,” said Nichols.
Newman emphasized that staying on trails is essential in preserving wildflower growth.
“I will say I’m seeing an increased interest in wildflowers, however I fear that appreciation is being misplaced. Stepping off trail to stand in a patch of wildflowers has lasting effects long after that photo is taken, resulting in compacted soil, damage to the plant, and reduced flowers for the following season,” Newman wrote in an email.
“If you see a beautiful patch of wildflowers, be a good steward and #dontdoomthebloom.”
Erika Taylor is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood Reporting Fellow and photojournalist. You can find her on Instagram @camerakeepsrolling or email at etaylor@voiceofoc.org
Correction: A previous version of this story listed Garrett Fuhrman as an OC Parks employee. Fuhrman works with California State Parks. We regret the error.