The drive between Española and Tierra Amarilla is one of the most beautiful in Northern New Mexico any time of year, but in late spring and early summer that landscape explodes with color.
This year’s wildflower blooms are even more prolific and long-lasting, thanks to frequent rains and cooler-than-normal temperatures in May and June. The most profuse blooms are clustered close to the highway between Canjilon and Cebolla. The fenced right-of-way prevents grazing by domestic animals, and water running off the pavement provides ample moisture.
These days, amid dwindling patches of blue flax are the bright red and orange blooms of the gaillardia, or Indian blanket flower. The colorful bands that encircle these flowers resemble the bands found in hand-woven Indian blankets, hence the name.
Here and there the bright red of an Indian paintbrush is also visible, as well as white morning glories.
North of Tierra Amarilla on the Edward Sargent Wildlife Area, purple Rocky Mountain pentstemon frames the mountains with its purple blooms, while yellow biscuitroot and red globe mallow provide variety.
You don’t need to travel to the mountains to find flowers. At lower elevations, the arid landscape is highlighted by the rich purple flowers of the cholla cactus, particularly abundant in the Ghost Ranch area. Catch these cactus flowers while you can — they are flowering now and their blooming span is brief.
A different color is blanketing the fields of Truchas, with thousands of white daises spilling in sheets across the lush pastures that lead up to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. They are interspersed with the purple flowers of wild alfalfa.
As the dog days of summer transition into the shorter days of fall, look for the first signs of the prolific purple aster. Because we’ve had abundant moisture this spring and early summer, this year’s bloom of asters should be profuse.
Also look out for the yellow blossoms of chamisa, a musky-smelling plant and the bane of hay fever sufferers. Chamisa grows most prolifically in areas of disturbed soil, hence it hugs the roadways in the late summer and early fall.
The first hard freeze of fall, normally in October, brings New Mexico’s wildflower season to an end.