fields of dreams : the best flower-chasing across the world
since we saw dorothy’s technicolour poppy field in the wizard of oz as young children, flower fields have held a strong grip on our imaginations. there’s nothing quite as spectacular as lounging in a field blanketed in blooms of orange, yellow, pink, or purple stretching as far as the eye can see. from radiant fields of towering sunflowers to western australia’s magnificent wildflower country, we’ve documented the best flower-chasing across the world.
Sunflower fields, italy
where: umbria, tuscany, and le marche regions
when: mid june to early august
nothing screams joy quite like the sunflower, and come summer, the humble giant of the flower family can be found in thick clusters all across the region, spreading joy to those who pass. the italian word for sunflower, ‘girasole’, literally means to turn with the sun, describing the way in which each flower moves from sunrise to sunset to soak up as many rays as possible. grown for food, sunflower fields can be found in various spots in umbria, tuscany, and le marche.
Lupins, new zealand
where: mackenzie basin, south island
when: late november to mid-january
all across new zealand’s south island, the ephemeral lupin blankets mountain edges and fringes turquoise lakes. despite not being native flowers, the purple bloom’s popularity means that it’s become pretty inseparable from images of new zealand in the collective imagination. if you’re in new zealand at the right time of year, lupins can be found in pockets all across the south island, from mount cook national park to lake tekapo.
wildflowers, california
where: various. death valley national park, santa ana mountains, anza borrego state park, and more.
when: february to june
california’s wildflowers are the epitome of flower power - golden poppies, desert sunflowers, apricot mallows, and many more carpet the earth during the season, evoking a true spirit of sunshine. in 2017 and 2019, the region experienced a superbloom after periods of great rainfall that punctuate the typically dry climate. despite these recent superblooms, climate change poses a growing threat to california’s native wildflowers.
Fuji Shibazakura festival, japan
where: Mt. Fuji
When: mid april to late may
japan is home to so many spectacular flower fields, we could have designated this entire post to the many it has to offer. fuji shibazakura flower festival is just one of its many botanical wonders. it’s an instagram favourite due to the imposing presence of mt. fuji that looms in the background of fields of magenta, lavender, and white that come alive for just a few short months each year.
atacama desert, chile
where: atacama region
when: every five to seven years after rainfall
being one of the driest places on earth, atacama desert is not the place you’d expect to find fields of flowers in full bloom. once in a full moon, however, this is exactly what you’ll find. every five to seven years, the desierto florido (flowering desert) phenomenon sees thousands of flowers and more than 200 species of plants come out of hibernation. the most recent desert bloom came as a surprise in 2017, just two years after the last one. four years later and here’s hoping that the next flowering desert is on the horizon.
wildflower country, western australia
where: from Moora in the south to Dalwallinu in the east, and from Mullewa in the north to Green Head and Geraldton in the West. click here for a complete list of wildflower fields and how to get there.
when: september to november
with more than 12,000 plant species, 60% of which can’t be found anywhere else on earth, western australia’s wildflower country is a veritable treasure hunt for botanists and rare flower enthusiasts. each spring, the region’s ochre earth comes alive with blooms in just about every colour, shape, and formation you can dream of.