If you take a walk through the gardens and woodlands at The Morton Arboretum, even on the grayest days in early spring, look closely around you and you’ll see buds beginning to swell on trees and plants and sprigs of green popping up all around.
How long will it be until buds open and spring blooms fill the woodlands? Because the weather varies every year, the exact timing is impossible to predict.
Plants know when to bloom in spring thanks to a complex interaction between warmer temperatures and longer days. The increase in temperature and sunlight signals the plant to produce hormones that trigger buds to start growing rapidly, and water rises from the roots to fill all the new cells. Eventually, when it’s warm enough, a leaf or flower will unfold into the sunlight.
Bookmark the Spring Bloom Report to learn when and where to find the season’s first spring flowers!
About the Spring Bloom Report
The Spring Bloom Report is written by The Morton Arboretum’s manager of plant records, Ed Hedborn. It is typically published on Wednesdays throughout the spring to help guests plan their weekend visits. The Arboretum also publishes a weekly Fall Color Report in fall.
