As parts of the California desert are currently experiencing rare “super blooms” once every ten years, it brings to mind the beauty of our own native wildflowers here in the Bay Area. From the delicate “Baby Blue Eyes”, Clarkias, and Gilias to the vibrant “Tidy Tips” and Lupines, our local hillsides and meadows are adorned with a colorful carpet of wildflowers as early Spring begins.
Indigenous wildflowers are essential for pollinators like native bees and butterflies because they have co-evolved to bloom at the right time for their nectar-rich flowers. When we incorporate native annuals into our gardens, we not only enhance the beauty of our urban and suburban landscapes, but also create a valuable source of nectar and food for a variety of native wildlife.
Incorporating native wildflowers into your garden is a simple process that can bring beauty and color to your outdoor space. In the Bay Area, those who planted in the fall are likely already enjoying the first blooms of spring, but there is still plenty of time to fill in bare spots with vibrant and spontaneous additions. As spring approaches, I always keep some space open in anticipation of adding my beloved wildflowers. These plants typically have a season of 3-5 months, allowing you to later use the space for another colorful annual or even a new perennial. Many of our native wildflowers also self-sow, ensuring that you can enjoy them year after year.
I like to plan in advance which of my annual flowers will be living in pots. I typically plant most of my perennials, whether they are native or not, in flower beds so they can grow and spread out. Planting annuals in containers not only saves space on the ground but it also allows you to easily move your containers around for the best visual effect.
Utilizing Space to the Fullest
When it comes to making the most of your garden space, consider planting early blooming Spring natives in front of deciduous shrubs such as Philadelphus, Hibiscus, Oakleaf Hydrangea, or Sambucus. Another space-saving trick is to plant annuals over bulbs, especially Summer bloomers like Dahlias, Lilies, and Gladiolas. This way, you’ll have a vibrant display of colors in Spring, and as the flowers start to fade, the Summer bulbs will emerge and provide their own beauty.
Chasing after the gold
With their abundance of yellow and blue blossoms, wildflowers in Spring showcase two contrasting colors that create a stunning visual. “Tidy Tips” (Layia platyglossa) features fragrant, lemon-yellow flowers with white tips that embody pure cheerfulness.
Look out for the Checkerspot butterfly, as it is attracted to the nectar of this flower. Another option is the “Woodland Tidy Tips” (Layia gaillardoides), known for its dense cluster of sunny yellow flowers that can cascade over a favorite container or a short rock wall.
I see Limnanthes douglasii as a close relative to “Tidy Tips”. With its never-ending cascade of open yellow flowers edged with white on a dense, shiny groundcover mound, this appropriately named “Meadow Foam” blends seamlessly with a variety of blue flowers.
The “Cream Cups” (Platystemon californicus) bear petite, buttery-yellow blooms adorned with flattened stamen filaments at their center, resembling water lilies stranded on the shore. Delightful and aromatic!
When it comes to fragrant flowers, take a look at Madia elegans. This tough, drought-tolerant, and long-blooming beauty is fashionably late, showing off its daisy-like yellow flowers from midsummer to fall. The pineapple-scented foliage adds a delightful touch, especially on warm days.
Can adding some true blue wildflowers to your garden bring a smile to your face? Absolutely! Now is the perfect time to introduce some Phacelias into your garden. These stunning flowers, often overlooked compared to the popular Nemophilas “Baby Blue Eyes”, offer a darker and richer shade of blue, especially the impressive P. Viscida. With its 2-inch electric-blue flowers and patterned centers, this 2-foot tall, multi-branching native plant will definitely steal the show in your garden.
Looking for a beautiful blue addition to your garden? Look no further than Phacelia campanularia, also known as the “Desert Bluebell”. This plant offers a continuous show of gentle blue inch-long flowers that cascade forward like a beautiful skirt. The unique leaves of this plant have a dark blush against their veined green form. Their motto could easily be: ‘I spill, therefore I am.’
The name “Blue Thimble Flower” may sound unusual at first, but a glance at the abundance of one-inch-wide round flowers of Gilia capitata will make you see its charm. This annual plant creates a dense, compact bush with delicate, feathery leaves topped by a sea of captivating purple-blue flower heads. Absolutely irresistible.
And of course, we have the extremely popular “Baby Blue Eyes” (Nemophila menziesii). You won’t need to search far for this beauty, as the clusters of robin’s egg blue flowers will be one of the first things you and onlookers notice in your garden. Another fantastic spiller, it pairs well with almost any Spring flower (especially any of the colorful varieties of Eschscholzia californica), bringing a touch of the sky into the earthly pleasures of your garden.
