Did California really have a 'super bloom' this spring? An expert weighs in

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — After a blusterous rainy season, California's spring has been full of blossoming flowers, but has it been a "super bloom"?

While there has been some flora that has had a spectacular bloom season, Dr. Michael Mayer, professor of biology and botany at University of San Diego, says that overall this year has been more mild compared to super blooms of years past.

As he explained, while the word does not originate from scientists, a super bloom typically describes a rare bloom that creates an impressive concentration of flowers, often forming blankets across the ground.

To get this display, the conditions need to be perfect, starting with fall rains to get growth going. Mayer says light, but consistent precipitation and cool temperatures through the winter and spring months is also needed to keep pumping them up, without prompting premature growth.

"If it got really cold, that would be a problem. Rain is not great for flowers … but a light rain will actually keep the season going," Mayer said. "That will allow the annual plants and the perennial plants to hang in there and keep their blooming up."

There also needs to be a build-up of enough seeds in the ground to form the dramatic blankets. According to Mayer, not all seeds in the ground grow each year — some wait until they receive certain cues, such as scratching from runoff.

Some isolated parts of the state did see these factors aligning more than others this year, Mayer added. However, the flowers that "steal the show" — the primrose, poppies, visalia — did not see much of that benefit.

"Because there was a general good amount of rain in the winter, the perennials, the shrubs are putting on a great display," Mayer said. "Right now, the shrubs and the cactus are doing wonderfully."

According to Mayer, the last time nearly all of California saw a true super bloom of the other flowers, called annuals, was a few years ago, in 2019. Last year's bloom, although, came close to that ubiquitous growth.

Moving forward, Mayer noted that climate change could drastically reshape how frequently these blooming events happen.

"Climate change in our part of the world will probably lead to a drying environment, warmer environment, but then leaving the door open to some of these extreme weather events," Mayer explained. "This could be the new norm, where we have these periods of very dry, followed by very wet conditions, and that will definitely lead to more super blooms in the future."

On the other hand, more prolonged periods of drought out could also place stress on the seeds waiting for their cue to grow, causing them to die before they can bloom when the next rainy winter comes.

With this year's bloom season almost in the rearview mirror, those who are already looking to next spring will need to wait and see what the rainy season has in store.

"There's always a chance that it's going to be a great bloom," Mayer said. "We'll have to see about this next year."