Wildflower Hunting in the American Southwest - Arizona

Arizona Wildflowers

In Arizona, especially, it’s all about the rain. A rainy winter can produce lush and showy wildflowers. A dry winter… well, just the opposite. No matter how much water comes to the desert, you will most always find beautiful displays of flowering cacti. Some bloom in the Spring and some in the Summer. We have selected these websites as the best for wildflower information.

Arizona Wildflower Photo Tour

Travel with us to view wildflowers in the desert near Phoenix. Wildflower Hunter Photo Gallery..

Keep in Touch with Arizona Wildflower Reports

From the site, Desert USA, a great Arizona Wildflower report and flower photos.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum keeps in touch with Tucson area wildflower sightings. Their websitehas a great comparision between the 2007 season and 2008 season.

From About Phoenix, Photos, Postcards and Wildflower Information

Judy Hedding has put together a great photo gallery of Arizona wildflowers. You can even send an e-postcard!

Wildflower Photography

Judy also has an informative article on wildflower photography. It's a quick read with some great tips. And, who isn't tempted to snap a few pictures of wildflowers?

Liz’s Favorite Wildflower Locations in Arizona

Picacho Peak – Picacho Peak State Park is 60 miles south of Phoenix.

White Tank Mountain Regional Park- Fondly known as The White Tanks, this desert park is home to some beautiful Arizona wildflowers. You will find the park just west of Phoenix.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Surrounding Areas- The Arboretum is located at Highway 60 milepost #223 near the town of Superior, 55 miles due east of Phoenix or two hours drive from downtown Tucson via highways 79 and 60.

Desert Botanical Garden- The Desert Botanical Garden, in east Phoenix, usually has a nice spring display of wildflowers along the trails. They spring butterfly display is a spectacular and educational thing to see. Make sure you bring your camera!

Official Wildflowers

Arizona's State flower is the Saguaro Cactus Blossom. The American Meadows wildflower seed website describes the Saguaro. The Saguaro, or Giant Cactus, is the largest cactus in the United States, occasionally attaining a height of more than 50 feet and developing as many as 50 arms. Large individuals are believed to be from 150 to 200 years old. The Saguaro has contributed substantially toward the subsistence of Arizona's Pima and Papago Indians, furnishing materials for food and shelter. In spring, delicate white flowers with yellow centers and a brilliant satiny sheen bloom on the tips of the Saguaro's upward-curving branches and stem.

In 1992 when the wildflower series of U.S. stamps was issued, the Desert Five Spot flower was featured for Arizona.

Arizona Wildflowers
New Mexico Wildflowers
Utah Wildflowers
Colorado Wildflowers