It’s coming into spring in the Southern Hemisphere, Road Trips Gardeners, and just the right time for wildflowers.

Some of the most colorful (such as those in the photograph) are in bloom in Darling, a community 140 km west of Capetown, South Africa.

This tiny town is often described as the flower of the Cape West Coast. Situated within the Cape Fynbos Kingdom, the region boasts more than 1200 species of flowering plants, 80 of which are endemic to the West Coast and known nowhere else. The rich flora of the West Coast occurs on mainly three different soil types, culminating in three distinctive vegetation types, namely, Strandveld, Renosterveld and Sandveld.

The Darling Wildflower Show — set for September 17-19, 2010 — is the grandmother of all South African flower shows. It has been held by the Darling Wildflower Society in the third week in September since 1917. The entrance fee includes entry to the landscaped Sports Club hall and as well as a free ride on a tractor-drawn wagon out to the Oude Post wetland, which can only be visited during the show.

In recent years a food, wine and theatrical component has been added to the event. (It’s said that some bypass the blooms and focus on the wine tastings conducted by the local winery, Darling Cellars.)

(Photo © Darling Tourism)