Spring bloom as of Wednesday, May 14, 2025

As the unfurling of trees’ leaves fills The Morton Arboretum with the green of summer, the Schulenberg Prairie and the many display gardens are highlights of this week’s blooms. In the woods, May-apples, wild geraniums, and woodland phlox are still to be found.

On the East Side

Visitor Center, The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden, Ground Cover Garden, and Administration and Research Center (parking lot P-1): Trees and shrubs in bloom include cotoneaster (white), Ohio buckeye (yellow-green), chokeberry (white), blackhaw viburnum (white), and jetbead (white). Also in flower are bluestar (blue), snowdrop anemone (white), salvia (blue), and periwinkle (blue), along with seasonal planting displays of tulips and hyacinths.

Elm Collection and Meadow Lake (parking lots P-1 and P-2): Trees in bloom include pawpaw (dark maroon flowers), flowering dogwood (white), and yellow buckeye (pale yellow).

Northern Illinois Collection and Midwest Collection (parking lot P-2): Trees and shrubs in bloom include pawpaw (dark maroon); buckeye (yellow-green); swamp white, white, pin, red, bur, and chinkapin oaks (with dangling green blooms called catkins); American bladdernut (cream); chokeberry (white); and hickory (green catkins).

Rose Family Collection (parking lot P-4): Some crabapples are still flowering in white, pink, and magenta.

Crabapple Lake and Magnolia Collection (parking lot P-5): A few late magnolias still have flowers, along with crabapples in white, pink, and lavender.

Buckeye Collection and Linden Collection (parking lot P-6): Ohio buckeyes are in bloom (greenish-yellow), along with Carolina silverbells (white).

Oak Collection (parking lots P-7 and P-8): Many kinds of oaks are blooming with green pollen catkins.

East Woods (parking lots P-8 through P-16): In the woods, the last wildflowers include violets (shades of blue and purple), buttercups (yellow), woodland phlox (blue), wild geranium (pink), wild hyacinth (pale blue), May-apple (white), celandine poppy (yellow), oaks (green catkins), chokecherry (white), shooting star (lavender to white), and blackhaw viburnum (white).

Beech Collection (parking lot P-14): Daffodils are near the end of their blooming season. Nearby blackhaw viburnums have white flowers.

Eastern North America Collection (parking lot P-16): Among the flowering trees and shrubs are pawpaw (dark maroon), flowering dogwood (white), redbud (pink), Carolina silverbell (white), bladdernut (cream), and yellow azalea (yellow).

Temperate Asia Collection (parking lots P-17 and P-18): Shrubs in bloom include spiraea (white) and lilacs (lavender), with flowering dogwood trees (white) along the roadside.

On the West Side

Ornamental Flowering Trees Collection (parking lot P-19): The last yellow-blooming magnolias are finishing their bloom for the season.

Founder’s Grove (parking lot P-20): Among the blooms are wild geranium (pink) and false Solomon’s seal (white).

Thornhill Education Center, Fragrance Garden, and Joy Path (parking lot P-21): Look for blooms on periwinkle (blue), fragrant snowball viburnum (white), flowering dogwood (white), hawthorns (white), spiraea (white), cotoneaster (white), and Carolina-allspice (dark maroon). White oaks have dangling green catkins.

Following the West Side Main Route

Daffodil Glade (parking lot P-22): Oaks have green catkins above woodland phlox (blue) and wild geranium (pink).

Pine Hill, Schulenberg Prairie, and Sterling Pond (parking lots P-24 to P-30): Look for golden Alexanders (yellow), false Solomon’s seal (white), woodland phlox (blue), wild geranium (pink), and prairie plants blooming in the Schulenberg Prairie.

Birch Collection and Walnut Family Collection (parking lot P-31): Birch trees have attractive white and curling bark, while walnut and hickory trees have dangling catkins.

Bobolink Meadow and Godshalk Meadow (parking lots P-32 to P-33): Look for flowers on Carolina silverbells (white) and lilacs.

Following the West Side Alternate Route

Sargent’s Glade (parking lot P-26): Violets (dark blue) are in bloom, along with woodland phlox (blue). Hawthorn trees (white) and oaks (green catkins) also are in flower.

Lake Marmo (parking lot P-28): Flowering dogwoods are in bloom (white) along with wild geranium (pink), woodland phlox (blue).

Spring blooms are almost over, but the lush greens and lovely prairie flowers of summer are new. Visit the gardens, collections, and woodland landscapes of The Morton Arboretum often to view all of nature’s beauty.

Spring bloom as of Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Color abounds and blooms can be found all over The Morton Arboretum, but the plants are telling us that spring is nearing its end and summer is soon to come. Trees and shrubs in the Arboretum’s landscapes and woodlands are spreading their leaves. Beneath that green canopy, wildflowers in the woods are finishing their bloom and starting to set seed. As the seasons change, the sun-loving plants of the Schulenberg Prairie are beginning to bloom.

On the East Side

Visitor Center, The Grand Garden, Ground Cover Garden, and Administration and Research Center (Parking Lot 1): White, pink, and red flowering quince are in late bloom. Look for flowers of periwinkle (blue), redbud trees (pink), whitebud (white), European wayfaring tree viburnum (white), witch-alder (white), jetbead (white), Virginia bluebells (blue), and grape-holly (yellow), as well as seasonal displays of tulips and hyacinths.

Elm Collection and Meadow Lake (parking lots 1 and 2): Elm trees are setting green seed, while blooms can be seen on flowering quince (pink, white, and red), pawpaw trees ( maroon), flowering dogwood trees (white), and yellow buckeye trees (pale yellow). River birch trees have dangling long green flowers called catkins.

Northern Illinois Collection and Midwest Collection (Parking Lot 2): Blooms can be seen on Tahiti daffodils (pale yellow and red), pawpaw trees (maroon), redbud trees (pink), and buckeye trees (yellow-green). Other trees in bloom include swamp white, white, pin, red, and chinkapin oaks (green catkins), American bladdernut (cream), and musclewood and hickories (green catkins).

Frost Hill (Parking Lot 3): The bloom of magnolias are almost finished and the view across the river valley is turning bright green.

Rose Family Collection (Parking Lot 4): Many crabapple trees are in bloom (white, pink, magenta, lavender).

Crabapple Lake and Magnolia Collection (Parking Lot 5): Magnolia trees and daffodils around the lake are reaching the end of their bloom. Meanwhile, dozens of crabapple trees are blooming in shades of white, pink, magenta, and lavender.

Buckeye Collection and Linden Collection (Parking Lot 6): Ohio buckeyes are blooming (greenish-yellow), as are Carolina silverbells (white).

Oak Collection (parking lots 7 and 8): Many kinds of oaks are blooming with green pollen catkins.

East Woods (parking lots 8 through 16): The woodland wildflowers are almost done blooming, but some can still be seen. They include violets (blue and purple) Virginia bluebells (blue), buttercups (yellow), woodland phlox (blue), wild geranium (pink), May-apple (white), wakerobin or prairie trillium (dark maroon), large-flowered bellwort (yellow), celandine-poppy (yellow), and shooting star (lavender to white). Trees and shrubs in bloom include musclewood (yellow catkins), oaks (green catkins), chokecherry (white), and blackhaw viburnum (white).

Beech Collection (Parking Lot 14): Daffodils are near the end of their bloom. Nearby blackhaw viburnums have white flowers.

Eastern North America Collection (Parking Lot 16): Among the flowering trees and shrubs are pawpaw (dark purple flowers), flowering dogwood (white), redbud (pink), Carolina silverbell (white).

Temperate Asia Collection (parking lots 17 and 18): Shrubs in bloom include spiraea (white), peashrub (yellow), and pearlbush (white) with flowering dogwood trees (white) along the roadside.

On the West Side

Ornamental Flowering Trees Collection (Parking Lot 19): Daffodils are blooming along the road to the Thornhill Education Center. Redbud trees (pink), whitebud trees (white), and a few late pear trees (white) are in bloom. Yellow-flowering magnolia trees are coming to the end of their flowering season.

Founder’s Grove (Parking Lot 20): In bloom are late daffodils (white) and redbud trees (pink).

Thornhill Education Center, Fragrance Garden, and Joy Path (Parking Lot 21): Look for blooms on redbud trees, (lavender), flowering dogwood (white), fragrant snowball viburnum (white), and witch-alder (white). Other blooming plants include Virginia bluebells (blue), periwinkle (blue), and Jacob’s ladder (blue).

Following the West Side Main Route 

Daffodil Glade (Parking Lot 22): The daffodils are mostly done, but woodland phlox (blue) is still blooming below oaks with green catkins.

Birch Collection (Parking Lot 31): Birch trees have green and yellow catkins as well as attractive white and curling bark.

Bobolink Meadow and Godshalk Meadow (parking lots 32 and 33): Among the flowering shrubs are flowering-quince (red), Carolina silverbells (white), lilacs (lavender and purple), along with redbud trees (pink and lavender).

Following the West Side Alternate Route

Sargent’s Glade (Parking Lot 26): Violets (dark blue) are in bloom, along with late daffodils (white), oaks (green catkins), and woodland phlox (blue). Hawthorn trees (white) and oaks (green catkins) also are in flower.

Lake Marmo (Parking Lot 28): Skunk-cabbage (dark maroon) now has large leaves at the west end of the lake. Also in bloom are Virginia bluebells (blue) below flowering dogwood (white) trees and river birch trees (yellow catkins). Witch-alder has white flowers in Witch-Hazel Dell).

Spring bloom will soon give way to summer, so visit now to catch the best of both seasons and see the many colors of The Morton Arboretum.

Spring bloom as of Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Warm and windy weather has accelerated the bloom of woodland wildflowers at The Morton Arboretum, and hastened daffodils toward the end of their flowering season. Almost all species of wildflowers are now in bloom in the East Woods, with the best variety to be seen between Parking Lot 10 and Parking Lot 12. Crabapple trees are in full bloom near Parking Lot 19 on the West Side and around Crabapple Lake near parking lots 4 and 5 on the East Side.

On the East Side

Visitor Center, The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden, Ground Cover Garden (Parking Lot 1): Enjoy blooming flowering quince (white, pink, and red blooms), periwinkle (blue), redbud (lavender), whitebud (white), several kinds of viburnum, Alexandrina magnolia (dark lavender), Ann magnolia (lavender), Japanese kerria (yellow), witch-alder (white), Virginia bluebells (blue), grape-hollies (yellow), and seasonal displays of tulips and hyacinths.

Elm Collection and Meadow Lake (parking lots 1 and 2): American elms are setting green seeds, while blooming plants include flowering quince (pink, white, and red blooms), pawpaw (dark maroon flowers), and river birch (green catkins). Flowering dogwoods (white) are just opening their buds.

Northern Illinois and Midwest collections (Parking Lot 2): Plants in bloom include Tahiti daffodils (pale yellow and red), pawpaw (dark maroon), redbud (lavender), buckeye (yellow-green), several kinds of oaks with green catkins, American bladdernut (cream), and musclewood (green catkins).

Frost Hill (Parking Lot 3): Purple and yellow magnolia trees are in bloom, as well as cherries (white and pink). White hawthorns are just starting to flower.

Rose Family Collection (Parking Lot 4): Flowering trees and shrubs include late pears (white), cherries (white and pink), flowering quince (white, pink), and crabapples (white, pink, and magenta).

Crabapple Lake and Magnolia Collection (Parking Lot 5): Yellow and lavender magnolia trees are in flower and daffodils are in bloom around the lake and along the road. Crabapple trees are flowering in white, pink, and lavender around the lake.

Crowley Marsh and Bur Reed Marsh (parking lots 5 and 6): American toads are singing their mating call.

Linden Collection (Parking Lot 6): Ohio buckeye trees have greenish-yellow blooms, while delicate spring beauty blooms amid the grass.

Oak Collection (Parking Lot 8): Green pollen catkins show that oaks are in full bloom.

East Woods (parking lots 8 to 16): Wildflowers are in full bloom in the woods. Among them are spring beauty (white), toothwort (white), yellow and white trout-lilies, Dutchman’s breeches (white), violets (blue and purples), Virginia bluebells (blue), buttercups (yellow), purple cress (pale purple), woodland phlox (blue), wild geranium (pink), rue and false rue-anemone (white), wakerobin or prairie trillium (dark maroon), large-flowered bellwort (yellow), and celandine-poppy (yellow). Blooming trees and shrubs in the woods include ironwood (yellow catkins), sugar maples (pale yellow-green), and blackhaw (white).

Beech Collection (Parking Lot 14): Flowers blooming here include daffodils (some yellow, some white), white and yellow trout-lilies, and sugar maples (pale yellow-green).

Eastern North America Collection (Parking Lot 16): In bloom are Brackenhurst daffodils (yellow), pawpaw (dark purple flowers), flowering dogwood (white), and redbud (pink).

Temperate Asia Collection (parking lots 17 and 18): Flowering shrubs include fragrant viburnum (white and pink), Asian pear (white), spiraea (white), peashrub (yellow), and pearlbush (white), with flowering dogwoods (white) in the landscape along the roadside.

On the West Side

Ornamental Flowering Tree Collection (Parking Lot 19): Yellow magnolias are blooming along the road to the Thornhill Education Center, along with redbud (pink), whitebud (white), and late pear trees (white). Yellow daffodils are blooming among the trees.

Founder’s Grove (Parking Lot 20): Redbud trees are flowering (pink) above daffodils (yellow).

Thornhill Education Center, Fragrance Garden, and Joy Path (Parking Lot 21): Among the blooming plants are redbud (pink), Virginia bluebells (blue), periwinkle (blue), hyacinths (dark blue), grape-hollies (yellow), Korean spice viburnum (white), fragrant snowball viburnum (white), periwinkle (blue), Jacob’s ladder (blue), and witch-alder (white).

Daffodil Glade (Parking Lot 22): Daffodils cover the glade in yellow and white flowers.

Birch Collection (Parking Lot 31): Birch trees have green and yellow catkins along with attractive white and curling bark.

Bobolink Meadow (parking lots 32 and 33): Blooms can be seen on flowering quince (red), Carolina silverbells (white), and redbud (pink).

On the West Side Alternate Route

Sargent’s Glade (Parking Lot 26): Look among the grass for violets (dark blue), spring beauty (white), and daffodils (yellow and white), and look overhead for the catkins of oaks (green).

Lake Marmo (Parking Lot 28): Leaves are emerging around the dark maroon flowers of skunk-cabbage by the brook and spillway. Around the lake, flowers include Virginia bluebells (blue), Spring beauty (white), toothwort (white), witch-alder (white), redbud (pink), flowering dogwood (white), and river birch (yellow catkins).

The warm, windy, and wet weather is making the bloom season pass quickly. Visit soon and come back often so you don’t miss the beauty of spring in the Arboretum’s gardens, collections, and woodland landscapes.

Spring bloom as of Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Spring is bursting out! Expect to see splendid spring flower displays over the next couple of weeks in the gardens, meadows, and woodlands at The Morton Arboretum.

Daffodils have begun to bloom in Sargent’s Glade, Daffodil Glade, and elsewhere at the Arboretum, including the Midwest, Maple, and Appalachian collections. Our woodland wildflowers have also made their appearance with Dutchman’s breeches, white and yellow trout-lilies, spring beauty, toothwort, and Virginia bluebells in full bloom.

On the East Side

Visitor Center, The Grand Garden, Ground Cover Garden, and Administration Building (Parking Lot 1): Enjoy blooming serviceberries (white), flowering quince (white, pink, and reds), Ussurian pear (white), periwinkle (blue), sugar maple (green), redbud (lavender), whitebud (white), fragrant viburnum (white), Judd’s viburnum (white), Alexandrina magnolia (dark lavender), and Ann Magnolia (lavender) in the Arboretum’s core area, along with seasonal displays of tulips and hyacinths.

Elm Collection and Meadow Lake (parking lots 1 and 2): Along the Meadow Lake Trail and nearby are a few late yellow forsythia, serviceberries (white), Loebner’s Ballerina magnolia (white), flowering quince (pink, white, and red), pawpaw (dark maroon buds), and river birch (green catkins).

Northern Illinois and Midwest collections (Parking Lot 2): Blooming in this vicinity are leatherwood (yellow), blue-leaved willow (silvery-gray fuzzy catkins), Tahiti daffodil (pale yellow and red), pawpaw (dark maroon buds), serviceberries (white), redbuds (lavender), and buckeyes (yellow-green buds).

Frost Hill (Parking Lot 3): White-flowering magnolias are finishing their bloom, while purple and yellow-flowered magnolias are getting started, along with cherries (white and pink).

Rose Family Collection (Parking Lot 4): Pear trees are blooming (white), along with cherries (white and pink).

Crabapple Lake and Magnolia Collection (Parking Lot 5): White-flowering magnolias have finished blooming, but yellow and lavender magnolia trees are just getting started. Daffodils around the lake and along the road have begun to bloom.

Crowley Pond and Bur Reed Marsh (parking lots 5 and 6): Listen to the frog songs–mainly chorus frogs, with some spring peepers.

Linden Collection (Parking Lot 6): Buckeyes are leafing out, with green flower buds starting to expand. Tiny white spring beauty blooms are scattered in the grass.

Maple and Oak collections (Parking Lot 7): Norway maples are blooming overhead (yellow-green), while spring beauty (white) and white trout-lily (white) are scattered in the grass.

East Woods (parking lots 8–16): The woodland wildflower season has begun, with spring beauty (white), toothwort (white), yellow and white trout-lilies, Dutchman’s breeches (white), violets (blue and purple), Virginia bluebells (blue), buttercups (yellow), and purple cress (pale purple). Among the trees, there are blooms on ironwood (yellow catkins) and sugar maples (pale yellow-green).

Beech Collection (Parking Lot 14): In the grass, look for Siberian squill (dark blue), daffodils (yellows and white), and white and yellow trout-lilies.

Eastern North America (Parking Lot 16): Brackenhurst daffodils (yellow with orange centers) are in bloom, while pawpaw has dark maroon flower buds.

Temperate Asia Collection (parking lots 17 and 18): In bloom are Korean rhododendron (lavender), fragrant viburnum (white and pink), and Asian pear trees (white).

On the West Side

Ornamental Flowering Trees (Parking Lot 19): In the distant view, white-blooming magnolia trees are finishing their bloom while lavender- and yellow-blooming magnolia trees are starting. Scattered daffodils are beginning to bloom along the road toward the Thornhill Education Center.

Founder’s Grove (Parking Lot 20): Daffodils (yellow) are blooming near redbuds (lavender).

Thornhill Education Center, Fragrance Garden, and Joy Path (Parking Lot 21): In flower in this area are redbuds (lavender), serviceberries (white), Virginia bluebells (blue), periwinkle (blue), hellebore (various colors), and hyacinths (dark blue).

Sargent’s Glade (Parking Lot 26): Violets (dark blue) and spring beauty (white) are blooming here, but daffodils (yellow) are the real show.

Lake Marmo (Parking Lot 28): Leaves are emerging on skunk-cabbage, while its dark maroon bloom persists. Blooming nearby are Virginia bluebells (blue), spring beauty (white), and toothwort (white).

Daffodil Glade (Parking Lot 22): Daffodils cover the glade in yellow flowers.

Birch Collection (parking lots 30 and 31): Green and yellow catkins are elongating. The trees’ white and curling bark is also attractive.

Willow Collection (parking lots 32 and 33): Willows along the river have green catkins.

The warm weather has accelerated the bloom season, bringing out yellow magnolias, daffodils, and woodland wildflowers. Spring bloom changes quickly, so visit often to see the progression of flowering in our gardens, collections, and woodland landscapes. Don’t miss any of nature’s beauty!

Spring bloom as of Wednesday, April 16, 2025

As the weather warms, the flowering season at The Morton Arboretum has started to grow more colorful. A few more warm days should bring out the full spring show. Early-blooming white magnolias on both the East and West Sides of the Arboretum are still in flower, while the purple-blooming magnolias have begun to bloom. Only the first few flowers have opened on yellow-blooming magnolias. Patches of daffodils are beginning to show more yellow blooms, with lots of flower buds yet to open.

In the Arboretum’s gardens, the main bloomers so far are hellebores, winter honeysuckle, fragrant viburnum, periwinkle, forsythia, and Siberian squill.

A drive through the Arboretum’s grounds will show a slowly increasing number of flowers contrasted with the fresh green of lawns. Park at any of the parking lots along the main driving route and take a walk to see springtime blooms close up.

On the East Side

Elm Collection and Meadow Lake (parking lots 1 to 2): Forsythia (yellow) and Loebner’s Ballerina magnolia (white) are blooming, along with elm trees (green and red flowers in the treetops). Flowering quince shrubs are starting to show early pink, white, and red blooms.

Northern Illinois Trail and Midwest Collection (Parking Lot 2): Leatherwood (yellow) and blue-leaved willow (silvery-gray) are blooming. The first scattered flowers have appeared on Tahiti daffodils (pale-yellow and red).

Frost Hill (Parking Lot 3): White-flowering magnolias along the gravel path remain in bloom, while purple and yellow flowers are beginning to show on other magnolia trees. Cherry trees are blooming in white and pink.

Rose Family Collection (Parking Lot 4): White flowers are open on early-blooming pear trees and cherries have blossoms of white and pink.

Crabapple Lake and Magnolia Collection (Parking Lot 5): White-flowering magnolias are still in bloom, with nearby daffodils on the verge of blooming.

Crowley Marsh and Bur Reed Marsh (parking lots 5 and 6): Frogs are calling, mainly chorus frogs with some spring peepers.

Linden Collection (Parking Lot 6): Buckeyes are leafing out and their green flower buds are getting ready to bloom.

Oak Collection (Parking Lot 7): Anise magnolia and Northern Japanese magnolia still have white blooms.

East Woods (parking lots 8 through 16): Among the woodland wildflowers, hepatica (blue) is in full bloom, especially near Parking Lot 11. Elsewhere, the forest floor is turning green, with the first blooms of spring beauty (pink), toothwort (white), and Virginia bluebells (blue and purple).

Beech Collection (Parking Lot 14): Siberian squill (dark blue) is blooming near the first yellow daffodils.

Eastern North America Collection (Parking Lot 16): Yellow Brackenhurst daffodils are blooming, alder catkins are elongated, and pawpaw trees are near to opening their dark purple flowers.

Temperate Asia Collection (parking lots 17 and 18): Korean rhododendron (lavender), fragrant viburnum (white and pink), Biondi’s magnolia (white and discolored), and Asian pears (white) are beginning to bloom.

On the West Side

Ornamental Flowering Trees (Parking Lot 19): White- and lavender-blooming magnolias can be seen in the distance, with yellow-blooming magnolias showing scattered early blooms. Roadside displays of daffodils are also beginning to open.

Founder’s Glade (Parking Lot 20): Early daffodils (yellow) are blooming with Siberian squill (dark blue).

Thornhill Education Center, Fragrance Garden, and Joy Path (Parking Lot 21): In these gardens, Siberian squill (dark blue) is blooming, as are winter honeysuckle (white), periwinkle (blue), hellebore (white, yellow, pink, and purple), periwinkle (blue), and hyacinths (dark blue).

Sargent’s Glade (Parking Lot 26): Siberian squill (dark blue), spring beauty (pink), and daffodils (yellow) are beginning to bloom.

Lake Marmo (Parking Lot 28): Leaves are starting to emerge on skunk-cabbage (dark maroon), with Virginia bluebells and Siberian squill adding colorful blue flowers.

Daffodil Glade (Parking Lot 22): The first scattered daffodils are in flower, with many more to come, while clumps of Siberian squill add dark blue to the landscape.

Warmer weather will accelerate the bloom season, bringing out many more daffodils along with yellow magnolias and woodland wildflowers. The change will be rapid and spring moves fast, so visit our gardens, collections, and woodland landscapes often. You don’t want to miss any of nature’s spring bounty!

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 the fall.

Spring bloom as of Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Cool and sometimes cold weather has slowed the advance of the spring bloom season at The Morton Arboretum. Freezing temperatures in the last week have affected some early-blooming white magnolias, causing their petals to turn shades of tan and brown, but many more magnolias and other flowers are still to come. A few daffodils are blooming now, and many have sprouted and have flower buds ready as the weather warms in the coming weeks.

The main flowers to be seen in the Arboretum’s gardens are hellebores, winter honeysuckle, fragrant viburnum, periwinkle, forsythia, and Siberian squill.

Drive through the Arboretum’s grounds and enjoy blooms as they appear with the changing weather.

On the East Side

Elm Collection and Meadow Lake (parking lots 1 and 2):  Forsythia (yellow), white-forsythia (white), Loebner’s Ballerina magnolia (white), elms (green to red, with small wind-pollinated flowers)

Northern Illinois and Midwest collections (Parking Lot 2):  Leatherwood (yellow flowers), pussy willow and blue-leaved willow (silvery gray furry catkins), daffodils near bloom

Frost Hill (Parking Lot 3): White-flowering magnolias along the gravel path, early cherry trees with white to pink flowers

Crabapple Lake (Parking Lot 5): White-flowering magnolias are in full bloom, though some have been discolored by cold temperatures. Daffodils around the lake and along the road are near to flowering.

Crowley Marsh and Bur Reed Marsh (parking lots 5 and 6): Chorus frogs are singing!

Buckeye and Linden collections (Parking Lot 6): Buckeyes are beginning to leaf out.

Oak Collection (Parking Lot 7): Anise and Northern Japanese magnolias (white) are blooming, though some petals have been discolored by frost.

East Woods (parking lots 8 to 16):  Hepatica (white to lavender) is blooming near Parking Lot 11, and other spring ephemeral wildflowers are beginning to sprout and green up the woodland floor. Virginia bluebells have leaves and are about 8 inches tall, with buds formed for a spectacular flower display before too long.

Beech Collection (Parking Lot 14): Siberian squill (dark blue)

Eastern North American Collection (Parking Lot 16): Brackenhurst daffodils (yellow) just beginning to bloom, alder catkins elongated

Temperate Asia Collection (parking lots 17 and 18): Korean rhododendron (lavender), fragrant viburnum (white and pink), Biondi’s magnolia (white, though some petals are discolored)

On the West Side

Ornamental Flowering Trees Collection (Parking Lot 19): Early white-flowering magnolias are discolored by cold, but dark-lavender magnolia blooms are just emerging.

Founder’s Grove (Parking Lot 20): Early daffodils (yellow), Siberian squill (dark blue)

Thornhill Education Center, Fragrance Garden, Joy Path (Parking Lot 21): Siberian squill (dark blue), winter honeysuckle (white), periwinkle (blue), hellebores (various colors), white-forsythia (white), hyacinth (dark blue)

Daffodil Glade (Parking Lot 22): Scattered early daffodils (yellow), Siberian squill (dark blue)

Sargent’s Glade (Parking Lot 26): Siberian squill (dark blue), scattered early daffodils (yellow), crocus (white, lavender, purple) in full bloom overlooking Lake Marmo

Lake Marmo (Parking 28): Skunk-cabbage (dark maroon) with leaves starting to emerge

The bloom season is moving slowly because of the recent chill, but there is much more color to come. Each visit through our gardens, collections, and woodlands will reveal something new as the season progresses.

Spring bloom as of Wednesday, April 2, 2025

April is here, and with it the start of magnolia and daffodil blooms at The Morton Arboretum. Magnolia trees have begun flowering on the Arboretum’s East and West Sides. Most of these early bloomers have white flowers. A few early yellow daffodils are in bloom, with many more sprouted and ready to bloom soon.

In the Arboretum’s gardens, early blooming perennials and shrubs include hellebores (Helleborus sp.), winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima), fragrant viburnum (Viburnum farreri), periwinkle (Vinca minor), forsythia (Forsythia species and cultivars), and Siberian squill (Scilla siberica).

A drive through our grounds will reveal grass turning green and many plants beginning to flower.

On the East Side

Elm Collection and Meadow Lake (Parking Lot 2): Cornelian-cherry dogwood (yellow), forsythia (yellow), white-forsythia (white), Ballerina Loebner’s magnolia (white), elms (green to red, with small wind-pollinated flowers)

Northern Illinois and Midwest collections (Parking Lot 2): Leatherwood (yellow), pussy willow (silvery gray)

Frost Hill (Parking Lot 3): White-flowering magnolias along the gravel path

Crabapple Lake (Parking Lot 5): White-flowering magnolias in full bloom; daffodils around the lake and along the road on the brink of bloom

Crowley Marsh (Parking Lot 5): Chorus frogs singing!

Oak Collection (Parking Lot 7): Anise magnolia and Northern Japanese magnolia, both white

East Woods (parking lots 8 to 16): American elm, hepatica (near Parking Lot 11), spring ephemeral wildflower stems and leaves beginning to poke up and bring green to the woodland floor

Beech Collection (Parking Lot 14): Siberian squill (dark blue)

Eastern United States Collection (Parking Lot 16): Brackenhurst daffodils (yellow) just beginning to bloom, alder catkins elongated

Temperate Asia Collection (parking lots 17 and 18): Korean rhododendron (lavender), Japanese cornelian-cherry (yellow), fragrant viburnum (white), Biondi’s magnolia (white)

On the West Side

Ornamental Flowering Trees Collection (Parking Lot 19): Magnolia trees (white and dark lavender)

Founder’s Grove (Parking Lot 20): Early daffodil blooms (yellow)

Thornhill Education Center, Fragrance Garden, and Joy Path (Parking Lot 21): Siberian squill (dark blue), winter honeysuckle (white), Cornelian-cherry dogwood (yellow), periwinkle (blue), hellebore (pink, white, yellow, green, and purple), white-forsythia (white)

Daffodil Glade (Parking Lot 22): The first scattered yellow daffodils

Sargent’s Glade (Parking Lot 26): Siberian squill (dark blue), scattered early yellow daffodil flowers, crocus (white, lavender, and purple) in full bloom overlooking Lake Marmo

Lake Marmo (Parking Lot 28): Skunk-cabbage (dark maroon) with leaves starting to emerge

As the temperature warms, the bloom season will move quickly as the landscape greens up and blooms after the long winter’s sleep. Visit the Arboretum often and stroll through the gardens, tree collections, and woodlands so you don’t miss any of the beauty and wonder of springtime.

Spring bloom as of Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Early spring bloom at The Morton Arboretum is developing slowly due to cool temperatures, but the first flowers have appeared.

Yellow blooms can be seen on Cornelian-cherry and Japanese Cornel dogwoods bordering The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden, in the Ground Cover Garden, and around Meadow Lake (Parking Lot 1); in the landscape around the Thornhill Education Center (Parking Lot 21); and in various locations on the Arboretum’s East Side.

Hellebores (Christmas- and Lenten-roses) are in full bloom in the Ground Cover Garden and around the Visitor Center (Parking Lot 1) and in the Four Seasons Garden just outside the entrance to the Thornhill Education Center (Parking Lot 21). Witch-hazels, Siberian squill, and Judd’s viburnum also are starting to bloom in the Ground Cover Garden.

Skunk-cabbage is in flower west of Lake Marmo and along Willoway Brook south of the Lake Marmo dam (Parking Lot 28). On the hill above the lake, patches of crocuses are in colorful full bloom.

Look up for flowers making a haze of color in wind-pollinated red, silver, and Freeman maples and in Eurasian and American elms in the tree collections and woodlands. Soft, furry willow catkins have developed on willow trees and shrubs in the Midwest Collection (Parking Lot 2), the Willow Family Collection (Parking Lot 31), the Europe Collection (Parking Lot 19), and the Temperate Asia Collection (Parking Lot 17). Silvery pollen catkins also are growing longer on Turkish, Farges’, and native American hazelnuts.

Look for yellow blooms of forsythias starting to open in Parking Lot 1 at the Visitor Center; in the Temperate Asia Collection; in Godshalk Meadow (Parking Lot 31); and near the Thornhill Education Center. Blooms on white forsythia are just starting to open along the Entrance Drive near the gatehouse; in the landscape surrounding the Visitor Center; in the Fragrance Garden near Thornhill; and in the Dwarf Woody Plant Collection just east of the Firefly Pavilion (Parking Lot 1).

The yellow blooms of daffodils are soon to come, with foliage and flower buds well out of the ground.

The sounds as well as sights of spring have arrived at the Arboretum. Listen for the spring symphony of chorus frogs, redwing blackbirds, robins, and cardinals. Shake off the winter blues and start breathing in the springtime air with regular walks through the Arboretum’s changing landscapes.

Spring bloom as of Wednesday, March 19, 2025

The very first flowers are beginning to appear at The Morton Arboretum, with many more to come over the next few weeks. The exact timing will depend on the weather; cool weather tends to slow down the blooming and warm spells to speed it up.

Snowdrops are in bloom in front of the Thornhill Education Center (Parking Lot 21) and the yellow flowers of winter aconite are blooming north of the nearby Fragrance Garden. More snowdrops are in bloom along the West Side Alternate Route just north of Lake Marmo (parking lots 26 and 27). Skunk-cabbage is in flower west of Lake Marmo and south of the Lake Marmo dam along Willoway Brook (Parking Lot 28).

In front of the Visitor Center (Parking Lot 1) and in the nearby Ground Cover Garden, the first flowers of hellebores (Christmas-roses and Lenten-roses) are beginning to open. Look for the blooms of small, 4-inch-tall Iris ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ at the west end of The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden south of the Visitor Center.

Trees and shrubs are also starting to bloom in many locations in the Arboretum’s tree collections, gardens, and landscapes. Spring-blooming witch-hazels are putting on a great show in Witch-Hazel Dell (Parking Lot 27), Arbor Court, and the Ground Cover Garden (Parking Lot 1).

Look up to see the subtle colors of small flowers on trees such as red, silver, and Freeman maples, American elms, and quaking and big-toothed aspens. Cornelian-cherry and Japanese Cornel dogwoods are showing yellow flower buds in our collections and will soon have yellow blooms. You will need to look closely to see the female flowers in full bloom on our American hazelnuts.

No matter how much spring weather varies, there is always something lovely to see along a walk at The Morton Arboretum.