PHOENIX - It feels a lot like spring in Arizona, and in the Valley that means two things, spring training and wildflowers.
While winter is still dominating across much of the country, Arizona is blooming, says Angelica Elliott, Program Development Manager at the Desert Botanical Garden.
"It's kind of like this rejuvenating process where you feel this peacefulness and calm," Elliott said. Penstemons, angelita daisies and blanket flowers are budding in endless color.
"Early March they start to bloom and they'll continue to bloom well into mid-May," Elliott said. So where are the best spots to stop for a quick snap? The Desert Botanical Garden offers a paved trail dedicated to wildflowers.
If you'd like to explore the open desert, head about an hour east of Phoenix to Lost Dutchman State Park. There, you'll find Mexican gold poppies, among others.
About 15 minutes south of downtown lies south Mountain, where more colors paint the sand, including the poppies, lupines and owl's clover.
The White Tanks are about 40 minutes west of downtown and can also display all of the same varieties, plus perennials like globe mallow and black foot daisies.
Some experts say perennials like brittlebush and globe mallow will be more prominent because of the warmer and drier winter, while annuals like lupine and poppies will be more sparse and smaller.
"The hotter it becomes, they're going to flower faster and produce seed quicker," Elliott said.
The seasonal plants make the desert come to life during wildflower season, each day showcasing a slightly different hue.
If you're not able to catch the blooming flowers in the Valley over the next couple of weeks, there are other opportunities up north at the beginning of summer. That's when dozens of flowers can be spotted in the High Country.