Some of the extremely drought-tolerant plants in the California chaparral can be as showy as the fanciest imported garden plants when in flower. Here are some pictures of some of the lovely flowering displays the chaparral has to offer. Look for these plants to start blooming in early February with most of the stragglers to finish before June. There are some late-bloomers, but since the rainy season is in the winter and heat can start scalding within inland chaparral areas as early as May, most of these plants will want to flower and set seed so they are ready for their dry, summer dormancy well before the end of June. This schedule will vary depending on the micro-climate of the chaparral area since elevation, coastal humidity, soil type and other factors range widely throughout most of the California chaparral areas. All chaparral plants tolerate an extreme daily temperature range and are highly drought-tolerant. Still, it’s curious to think that when much of the country is still battling snow and ice, some of these beauties are unfurling their petals in the different, but still demanding, climate of the California chaparral.

The Salvia dorii offers outrageous colors for the person who is willing to seek out this plant when it's in bloom.

The colorful, sprawling Poppy Mallow (Spheralcea)

The glamorous Matilija Poppy (Romnea)

The Mariposa Lily (Calochortus) is a bulb that comes in many colors, some with intricate interior designs

Clarkia and Ceanothus put on a colorful display.

The Zauchnaria or Epilobium is an autumn-blooming chaparral native with brilliant crimson flowers.

The Owl's Clover (Orthocarpus) paints the ground in glowing, hot pink.

These are just a small sample of the highly decorative Southern California chaparral drought-tolerant plants that are budding up in the winter months to paint the landscape with color in early

spring.

Wooley Blue Curls (Tricostema) demand perfect drainage and if they get it they will pay back by smothering themselves with blue and purple fuzzy flowers.

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