March Warmth Brings April Flowers

Nobody is complaining about the weather we've had the past few weeks. Many of us see it as deserved after the monstrosity of a winter we endured last year. But you know that when we look at the five-day forecast and usher a quiet sigh because it's only going to be 71 today after highs in the upper 70s the past few days, it means one thing: we're getting spoiled.

So are our perennial plants and trees.

Douglas Kycia, a Bethany landscape architect, says if we don’t get any more really cold temperatures, our eager plants should be fine and enjoy a normal spring.

“I remember 10 or so years ago we had a similar mild winter with a late frost after the oak trees and maples already had leaves opening. The tips of those trees were damaged, but they did regrow,” Kycia says. He doesn’t believe there’s any danger in plants being killed outright by a cold snap.

“We wait all year for the flowers to come out and then we get damage,” he says. “Wisteria and hydrangea may suffer some damage if we get another cold spell. The worst that will happen is that the cold with retard the growth, new shoots will be sent out when it warms again, and you won’t see flowers.”

A hydrangea with no flowers is like, well, a hydrangea with no flowers.

Most of us are in denial that a cold front is possible, but just in case, Kycia recommends covering hydrangea and other flowering plants with plastic or blankets. Without frost, the plants and trees will grow normally this spring and summer.

“Early warm temperatures can create some interesting color combinations when everything blooms at once in early spring,” Kycia says.

Raymond Pantalone, Bethany’s Tree Warden and owner of a landscaping company says he’s seen years where the crab apples, weeping cherries and magnolias are coming out and then we get a hard frost that will destroy the flowers.

“Most of the perennials like the daffodils are pretty tough and durable and aren’t affected by a heavy frost,” he says, adding that hydrangeas are usually not affected by a quick heavy frost.

“I’m not saying it can’t happen, but it would take a substantial freeze to really bother them. I think it’s going to be a great year for flowers and things,” says Pantalone.

It is actually rain that has a deeper affect on spring flowers more vulnerable is heavy rain during, since then you get more fungus diseases that destroy the flowers.

Pantalone adds: “There will absolutely be more bugs and ticks this year. I think it’s going to be an unbelievable year for insects.”

“Mosquitoes are out there already. It reminded me to start giving my dog heartworm pills early. Even though we haven’t had a lot of rain—usually the mosquitoes require a lot of rain—the mosquitoes are out early and the ticks are in abundance,” he warns.