Flowers have a lot to offer; they’re not just about beautifying outdoor spaces, but they have their place in a number of occasions and celebrations. From wedding bouquets to funeral flower arrangements, flowers are an integral feature of numerous events. Despite this, if you want flowers to thrive, it’s best that they’re not taken too far from their original environment. As a result, Californian citizens should be searching for the most beautiful wildflowers that California has to offer when finding the perfect celebration bouquets. It may sound simple, but unless you’re a keen gardener, you likely don’t know which flowers are native to California.
To that end, detailed below are just some of the most beautiful wildflowers that California has to offer.
Prickly Phlox
First up is prickly phlox, which, as the name suggests, is a woody perennial from the phlox family. The flower stems have prickly spines, which is where the flower gets its name from. It’s native to chaparrals and coastal areas of southwestern California. There are various colors available for this specific flower, including white, purple, and pink. Similarly, prickly phlox tend to have five petals and white centers, with each individual flower measuring up to around an inch in diameter. The blooming season takes place between March and June, and the flowers attract many pollinators during this time.
California Loosestrife
Naturally, California loosestrife is a part of the loosestrife family and is a perennial herb. Not only is the herb native to the southwestern states of America, but it can also be found in northern areas of Mexico. What’s more, they can grow up to two feet tall and produce purple flowers with around six or seven petals and waxy lance-shaped leaves. Every bloom can grow to roughly an inch wide, and the flowering season spans across March and November.
Baby Blue Eyes
One of the borage family’s most beautiful members is baby blue eyes, which can be found in Baja, California in Mexico, Oregon, and, of course, California. Whether it’s in woodland areas, grassy valleys, or chaparrals, there are so many habitats that facilitate the growth of baby blue eyes. As the name suggests, the plant boasts light blue flowers with white centers, blue veins, and black dots, mimicking the appearance of an eye. The flowers bloom for a significant length of time, growing all the way from late winter to early summer.
California Suncup
The evening primrose family contains the bright and cheery wildflower otherwise known as the California suncup. While it’s a beautiful addition to the coastal regions of southwestern California, its presence can be short-lived. As alluded to by the name, the California suncup has four bright yellow petals with red dots in the center, and their appearance is very fitting to the seasons in which they bloom – spring and summer. On top of this, the flowers can grow up to as much as two and a half feet high.
California Poppy
Perhaps the most famous flower on the list is the California poppy, which, of course, belongs to the poppy family. In fact, the plant is so iconic that it was named the official state flower in 1903. California poppies are available in a number of colors, including yellow, red, and orange, and each color comes as a cup-shaped flower with gray feathery leaves. Sunny mornings see the flowers open up; however, they close up on overcast days. Thankfully, the sunny nature of California means these flowers tend to be open. Valleys, foothills, and grasslands are abundant in California poppies in the spring and summer, making for rows and rows of vibrant colors.
