Bloom Report

Cool temperatures have slowed the progression of spring blooms at The Morton Arboretum. Along the paths in the Ground Cover Garden (Parking Lot 1) and by Joy Path (Parking Lot 21), a few small flowers have appeared: Siberian squill, glory-of-the-snow, and crocus. Vernal witch-hazels are in full bloom in Witch-Hazel Dell (Parking Lot 27) and in the Ground Cover Garden and Arbor Court (Parking Lot 1).

All around the Arboretum, a light color in the treetops shows that red, silver, and Freeman maples and many elms are in full bloom. The Arboretum’s most magnificent American elm is by the path that leads from Arbor Court to the Ground Cover Garden.

Along some trails, willows, ironwoods, and hazelnuts are beginning to bloom, with slowly elongating clusters called catkins. 

Snowdrops and winter aconite are in full bloom in the Fragrance Garden (Parking Lot 21). Snowdrops also can be seen above Lake Marmo (Parking Lot 27). Skunk cabbage continues blooming at the west end of Lake Marmo and south of the Lake Marmo dam (Parking Lot 28). Cornelian-cherry dogwoods, and Christmas and Lenten-roses, also called hellebores, are also starting to bloom in the Ground Cover Garden and in some tree collections. 

Chorus frogs and red-wing blackbirds are singing in wetlands and in seasonal pools, creeks, and rivers that have risen with March rain. In the woodlands, the buds of hepatica, one of the first wildflowers, are up and ready to open.

A very few early daffodils can [be seen along the main route to the Thornhill Education Center (parking lots 19 to 21), although most daffodils in meadows and open areas are yet to bloom. Every day brings changes, so take a walk and look for signs of the unfolding spring. 

The Bloom Report is written by the Arboretum’s Manager of Plant Records, Ed Hedborn. It is typically published on Fridays through spring to give members and guests a chance to plan their weekend visits. The Arboretum also publishes a weekly Color Report in the fall.