Snowdrops, but no snow?
We’ve been getting a lot of questions about the unusual weather and early blooms this winter, so we decided to check in with one of our horticulturists, Laura Swain, to get the scoop!
Why are we seeing early blooms?
We are currently experiencing the warmest and driest winter on record with an average temperature of 43 degrees! Many of our beloved early season plants have evolved in more temperate regions of the world. In the late summer and fall, all plants form buds – or tiny packets of densely stored energy for fast growth in the spring. These buds are typically covered in modified leaves, called bud scales, that keep the buds warm and cozy during winter months. Some plants have already met their dormancy requirements, and the warm days (and nights!) trick the plants into thinking it’s spring.
Is this bad for the plants?
The risk is that here in Colorado, we will likely get another deep cold spell before winter is over. When this happens, if plants have already opened those bud scales, they become susceptible to winter burn and dieback. This is rarely enough to kill a plant. They may need some extra pruning in spring. This applies primarily to woody trees and shrubs. For herbaceous perennials, plants may expend some extra energy with early winter growth and subsequent dieback but typically have enough stored energy in their roots to carry on when spring finally arrives.
While early flowering itself is not detrimental to overall plant health, there is another risk we should be aware of: what is happening below ground. During winter dormancy, plants stop growing above ground shoots, but roots are still busy growing and storing energy. When winters are very dry and warm, many root systems (and bulbs) can suffer. This is especially concerning for newly planted trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs.
Will the plants bloom again in the spring – or is this it?
It depends. We don’t yet know what the rest of this winter will look like. It also depends on the plant, and the specific microclimate where it’s situated. We may see a full floral display on some trees and shrubs that typically flower in late winter or early spring. These likely won’t flower again, as many plants only set one round of flower buds per season. However, if some plants are just pushing out an errant flower here or there, you can rely on these to flower as usual in spring. The major plants of concern are fruit-producing trees and shrubs, like apples, cherries and peaches. If these flower early, they will likely not produce fruit for the season.
How does this impact animals and insects (like pollinators)?
Many of our local pollinators are solitary bees, wasps, butterflies and moths. These all spend the winter as eggs, larvae or chrysalises, often in hollow stems, in the soil or on leaves near the ground. When we have unprecedented warmth and little snow, they are at risk of drying out or being roused early due to warm temperatures. This prompts them to forage for flowers that aren’t yet available and overall reduces the population numbers once spring arrives. A decrease in insect population means a decrease in food for all other animals that rely on insects for food. One year doesn’t mean collapse, but it’s a concerning trend.
Is there anything home gardeners can do to help or prevent these early blooms?
No, hang on for the ride and perform your favorite snow rituals! In all seriousness, most solutions point back to best practices of ecological gardening. To work with these erratic winters and support wildlife, choose to fill your garden with an array of native plants, shrubs and trees. They have evolved to tolerate extremes in temperature and moisture, even during winter. Additionally, keep dormant stems and leaves in garden beds until spring to provide crucial insect habitat.
Lastly, during these extremely dry periods, when temperatures are above 40 degrees, consider providing supplemental water to any new plants, bulbs in especially sunny areas or evergreen trees that are at risk for wind drying.
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