All Episodes

Host Martin Hale introduces California as one of the world's premier wild gardens. For every four flowering plants in the United States, one is found in California; it is one of the world's botanical hot spots. Our first visit is to the Anza-Borrego State Park, located in the western Sonoran Desert about 140 miles southeast of Los Angeles. We explore Coyote Canyon and Mountain Palm Springs and discover a variety of familiar as well as hard-to-find wildflowers. Collectively, the desert bloom is a breathtaking sight. Flora observed include: Sand Verbena; Dune Evening Primrose; Desert Hibiscus; Desert Tobacco Plant; Rattlesnake Weed; Broad-Leafed Gilia; Beavertail Cactus; Lax-Flower; Ajo Lily; Desert Sunflower; California Fan Palms; Desert Chicory; Twining Snapdragons; Bigelow Monkeyflower; Ghost Flower. 2010/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.

Host Martin Hale continues our Sonoran Desert journey through the Anza-Borrego Desert, one of the most spectacular desert wildflower regions in the world. Here we are taken to Jojoba Wash, Canyon Sin Nombre, Alta Bisegna Wash and Split Mountain; in each sight we discover beautiful scenery and find nature's fireworks - wildflowers of the region. Flora observed include: Ocotillo, Barrel Cactus; Buckhorn Cholla; Nipple Cactus; Desert Agave; Blazing-Star; Desert Woolystar; Cryptantha; Spanish Needle; Windmills; Heart-Leaved Primrose; Desert Five-Spot; Schott's Calico; Scorpion Weed; Creosote Bush; Notch-Leaf Phacelia; Sand Blazing-Star; Desert Star; Lupine; California Suncup; Woody Bottle-Washer; Dye Weed. 2010/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.

Host Martin Hale continues our Sonoran Desert journey through the Anza-Borrego Desert to reveal more wonders of this fabulous desert locale. We begin at Pinyon Mountain Road, a little known treasury of wildflowers; then it's Mine Canyon, where we find the remains of a Native American village and see pictographs drawn by ancient Native Americans. Mine Wash is awash in flowers and the scenery here combines to make this a unique and memorable experience. Flora observed include: Wishbone Bush; Freckled Milkvetch; Hedgehog Cactus; Blackbush; Desert Rock Daisy; Purple Mat; Ephedra; Lacepod Mustard; Yellow Heads; Desert Hyacinth; Sweetbush; Chinese Houses; Parish Larkspur; Lark's Claw; Brittlebush; Chuparosa; Groundcherry; Woolly-Daisy; Desert Lavender; Whispering Bells; Apricot Mallow; Cheese Bush; Desert Poppy; California Buckwheat. 2010/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.

Host Martin Hale welcomes us to one of America's most popular and most visited National Parks, Joshua Tree National Park, which gets its name from the Joshua Trees that grow throughout this section of the desert. This unique park is the only one of Southern California's desert locations that contains both the Sonoran and Mojaven deserts within its boundaries; here viewers will see some of the finest desert wildflower masses in the world. As Hale explains, "the pulsing life from the desert floor is an experience you can get nowhere else. Flora observed include: Desert Dandelion; Fiddleneck; Desert Bluebell; Parish's Larkspur; California Fan Palm; White Rhatany; Bead Pod; Mentzelia; Amsonia; Desert Senna; Small Wirelettuce; Cholla Cactus; Desert Calico; Desert Milkweed; Joshua Tree; Mojave Hole-In-The-Sand Plant; Golden Gilia; Tidy Tips; Parry's Nolina; Gray Ball Sage; Chia; Longspine Horsebrush; Datura. 2010/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.

Palm Springs, California, is an epicenter of three great wildflower sites and host Martin Hale expertly guides us through all three. The range of mountains closest to Palm Springs is the Santa Rosa/San Jacinto Mountains, which are the westernmost reach of the Sonoran Desert. Some of the wildflowers we discover here are transitional; also we find a waterfall in the desert. Nearby, Box Canyon and Painted Canyon, though relatively unknown, offer beautiful desert habitat with areas full of wildflowers if the rains have been good. Flora observed include: Giant Woolystar; California Thistle; Mariposa Lily; Granite Gilia; Phacelia; Woolly-Daisies; Monardella Nana; Lord's Candle; Golden Yarrow; Desert Sunflowers; Interior Goldenbush; Rose Mallow; Indian Paintbrush; Desert Penstemon; Blue Palo Verde; Small-Leaved Hoffmanseggia; Gilia; Desert Willow; Parachute Plant; Parish's Poppy; Rush Milkweed; California Fagonia; Thread-Leafed Ragwort; Fremont Pincushion. 2010/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.

Chaparral, the name conjures visions of the old west, but actually the Chaparral landscape makes up a good part of the California countryside. Called by some an "Elfin Forest," it consists of oak, sage and scrub; it's also the home of many species of gorgeous wildflowers. Host Martin Hale guides us on our Chaparral visit, which begins in the Santa Ana, Elsinore and the Santa Margarita Mountain Range, which extends down part of the coast of Southern California, and includes the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness Area. Flora observed include: Skullcap; Red Maids; Purple Nightshade; Star Lily; Hog Potato; Virgin's Bower; Yerba De Chivato (Herb Of The Kid Goat); Engelmann Oak; Thread-Leaved Brodiaea; Dwarf Checker Bloom; Tomcat Clover; Pacific Pea; Sharp-Toothed Black Snakeroot; Shooting Stars; Melilotus Indica; California Buckwheat; California Buttercup; Johnny-Jump-Up; Suncup; Chocolate Lily; Sticky Monkey-Flower. 2010/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min

Host Martin Hale delves deeper in the Chaparral landscape, aka the Elfin Forest, visiting the Santa Ana/Elsinore Mountains' area, starting with a surprising find of wildflowers in the nearby Gavillan Hills, which are northeast of Lake Elsinore. Also old movies of some Santa Ana/Elsinore Mountains waterfalls are featured; plus we visit some rare riparian habitats in the lower elevations. Flora observed include: California Poppy; Cream Cups; Baby Blue Eyes; Golden Fields; Tidy Tips; Caterpillar Phacelia; Indian Paintbrush; Chinese Houses; Parry's Larkspur; California Plum Seed; Yellow Pincushion; Fiesta Flower; Chaparral Gilia; Miniature Lupine; Common Muilla; Mariposa Lily; Grass Iris; Owl's Clover; Miner's Lettuce; Bush Sunflower; California Bee Plant; Wild Cucumber. 2010/CC JSCA 30 min.

Many people have heard of Palomar Observatory, home to the giant telescope located on top of Palomar Mountain, which is located ninety miles southeast of Pasadena, California; others have heard of the historic town of Warner Springs situated in the nearby rolling hill country. But relatively few know that this remote area of San Diego County contains another Elfin Forest. Here host Martin Hale explores this classic Montane Chaparral landscape, which includes a vast habitat of incredible wildflowers. Flora observed include: Goldenfield; Baby Blue Eyes; Spanish Dagger; False Babystars; Common Cryptantha (Popcorn Flower); Clustered Broomrape; Desert Broomrape; Chaparral Yucca; Showy Penstemon; Clarkia; Charming Centaury; Mariposa Lilies; Opuntia Californica; Coulter Snapdragons; Parry's Green Gentian; Rosa Californica; Wide-Throated Monkeyflowers; Sticky Phacelia; White Fairy Lanterns; Calochortus; Diamond Fairy Fan; Evening Primrose; Lemmon's Catchfly; Catchfly; Western Columbine; Western Azalea; Globe Gilia; Dense Eriastrum. 2010/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.

Thousands of people drive through the East Mojave Desert every day on their way to or from Las Vegas, Nevada. As they go down the highway from Baker, California, many are unaware they are passing through one of the great natural treasures of California. As host Martin Hale explains, "prepare yourself for jaw-dropping scenery"; this vast preserve and surrounding area is the most magnificent desert in the state. It has its own unique flora and sights and once you've seen it you'll never forget it. On one hand are volcanic cones and lava flows, while on the other are the Kelso dunes, and, of course, eye-popping wildflowers are featured along with majestic vistas and a Joshua tree forest. Flora observed include: Giant Four-O-Clock; Yellow Desert Primrose; California Butterweed; Fried Egg Flowers; Mojave Aster; Common Phacelia; Spotted Langloisias (Lilac Sunbonnet); Humble Gilia; Bigelow's Monkeyflower; Spiny Menodora; Desert Thistle; Desert Plantain; Banana Yucca; Scarlet Gaura; Bristly Langloisia; Palmer's Penstemon; Desert Marigold; Desert Globe Mallow; Antelope Bush; Heath Aster; Claret Cup Cactus; Gooding's Verbena; Purple Or Gray Ball Sage; Mariposa Lily; Apache Plume; Desert Five-Spot; Hedgehog Cactus. 2010/CC JSCA 30 min

Like the East Mojave Desert the West Mojave Desert is volcanic and occurs at higher elevations; it is a hotbed of wildflowers and natural beauty. Host Martin Hale guides us from the volcanic area known as Fossil Falls, through the El Paso Mountains, then into Red Rock Canyon State Park, where we see unique and beautiful wildflowers of the region, including two of the desert's most beautiful wildflower species. Flora observed include: Desert Aster; Interior Goldenbush; Fremont's Pincushion; Desert Chicory; Prince's Rock Cress; Indigo Bush; Wallace Woolly Daisy; Mariposa Lilies; Desert Parsley; Parish's Larkspur; Desert Candle; Thistle Sage; Broad-Flowered Gilia; Parry's Linanthus; Purple Owl's Clover; Palmer's Monkeyflower; Bush Peppergrass; Scalebud; Layne's Milkvetch; Yellow Peppergrass. 2010/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.

Host Martin Hale confirms what John Muir once said about California's San Gabriel Mountains, "they are the most up and down range he ever traveled." Part of Southern California's transverse range, these mountains sit astride some of the most populous areas in the world. They are an inescapable presence here, situated east and north of Los Angeles. They rise up very steep and the tallest peak is Mount San Antonio, locally known as Mount Baldy, because of the scarcity of trees. However, as we happily discover, this rugged range has almost indescribable beauty, with more waterfalls than any other region in Southern California; also it is home to many beautiful chaparral and mountain wildflowers. Flora observed include: Early Onion; Narrowleaf Goldenbush; Gilia; Fleabane Daisy; Bishop Lotus; Snow Plant; Western Wallflower; Giant Blazing Star; Indian Pinks; Scarlet Larkspur; Chaparral Plant; Gunsight Clarkia; Santa Cruz Island Suncup; Scarlet Bugler; Grinnell's Beardtongue; Yellow Yarrow; Hoaryleaf Ceanothus; California Bell; Martin's Paintbrush; Caterpillar Phacelia. 2010/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.

Just east of the San Gabriel Mountains and part of the same transverse range are the San Bernardino Mountains. Once mined for gold and logged for timber, these mountains today offer all of us another kind of natural treasure: wildflowers. Here our host Martin Hale takes us down a little known forest service road, called IN08, which winds through some amazing wildflower country ending finally at a beautiful little waterfall. After that, our visit to an Aspen grove yields up even more floral delights and spectacular scenery. Flora observed include: Creek Monkeyflower; Woodland Star; California Saxifrage; Blue Dick; Littlefoot Nemophila; Child's Blue-Eyed Mary; Bush Poppy; Poodle Dog Bush; Smoothleaf Yerba Santa Plants; Plummer's Mariposa Lily; Hartweg's Iris; Gilia; Dark Blue Delphinium; Pale-Leaved Serviceberry; Snowdrop Bush; Showy Penstemons. 2010/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.

Host Martin Hale continuies in the scenic San Bernardino Mountains, home to the tallest peak in Southern California, San Gorgonio Mountain. We begin in Holcomb Valley, which was named for the miner who discovered gold here in 1860; today, it's a wonderful place to discover wildflowers. Exploring mountain slopes and backcountry trails, we are introduced to unique species of flowering plants, along with a variety of more common wildflowers. Flora observed include: Violets; Slender Phlox; San Gabriel Beardtongue; Baldwin Lake; Mojave Linanthus; Flannelbush (Fremontia); Ydbergs' Horkelia; Indian Tobacco; Desert Eriastrum; Elegant Lupine; Miniature Lupine; Prickly Poppy; Common Goldenstars; Mariposa Lily; Yellow-Throated Phacelia; Bush Mallow; Dwarf Brodiaea; California Fuchsia; Mountain Dogwood. 2010/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.

Host Martin Hale welcomes viewers to the beautiful Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, which is located 15 miles west of Lancaster in the western Mojave Desert, and is the state's most consistent poppy-bearing land. First we meet one of the original founders, 97-year-old Dorothy Bolt, who proudly reminisces about the beginnings of what is now a popular State Natural Reserve; we learn the story of Jane Pinheiro, whose dedication and hard work made her dream for a Poppy Park come true; we meet docents Grentch Winfrey and Mary Wilson who explain PRIA, Poppy Reserve Interpretive Association, and PR/MDIA, the Poppy Reserve Mohave Desert Interpretive Association; then Martin guides us through the park to view the following flora: California Poppy; Owl's Clover; Goldfields; Cream Cups; Red Maids; Fiddleneck; Pygmy-Leaved Lupine; Blue Dick; Lacy Phacelia; Davy Gilia. 2011/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.

Hosted by Martin Hale, this program guides us through the Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park, in far northern Los Angeles County, which we learn was named for an environmentally forward-thinking farmer, Arthur "Archie" Ripley, who donated 566 acres to the state of California in order to protect and preserve what is now one of the last virgin Joshua tree forests in the Antelope Valley. We meet author (A Flower-Watcher's Guide to Wildflowers of the Western Mojave Desert) and naturalist Milt Stark who educates us about this area's beloved Joshua trees and California junipers, which once grew in great abundance throughout the valley. Then Martin continues our tour of this desert preserve introducing us to the following flora: California Buckwheat; Scarlet Bugler; Linear-leaf Goldenbush; Blue Sage; Parry Gilia; Rock Cress. 2011/CC Closed-Captioned JSCA 30 min.