This morning I read a great opinion piece in the New York Times titled "
Early Bloomers" These were my observations for some time--that spring is arriving earlier and that this might not be a good thing. The authors talked about some plants flowering earlier while others at their usual time, thereby putting things out of balance. This spring seems like an extreme case. With temperatures in the 80s in February and March, my number one invasive species, multi-flora rose had a great head start. When the bloodroot bloomed at its usual time, it bloomed thru the already green shrubs. and golden ragwort which had already started blooming. It was sad to me as I enjoy seeing the stark white of the bloodroot flower against the brown leaves of the forest floor.
Some native plants though did take advantage of the warm weather...
Large Flowered Trillium April 2, 2012
My trillium usually bloom no earlier than the third week of April so April 2 is highly unusual. I looked back on my blogs and the photos usually were taken in late April. My paper journals going back to 2003 also document late April blooming of Trillium.
The Columbine bloomed at the regular time, early April, and already started going to seed. But, my hummingbirds aren't back yet. Others in this area have reported hummingbirds coming back a little later also. So, I don't know what is going on.
More thoughts and photos on this later but I am going to do some blog reading to see if others are seeing the same early spring.
...definitely. Trillium is already in bloom in the woods I walk and have been for two weeks!! This is a very strange spring...
ReplyDeletewe are definitely out of whack. the wheel is turning, the seasons are rushing on, and I think things are be lost along the way.
ReplyDeleteYour Trillium is lovely - it's one of my favorite wildflowers!
ReplyDeleteI agree that it has been a very strange spring. I saw my first butterfly at the end of February - when it's usually the 3rd week of March.
Yes, last week we saw many wildflowers that are far earlier than usual. I fear they will be harmed by the freezing weather the past two nights. We saw our first hummingbird three weeks ago and they are increasing in number.
ReplyDeleteWe had very early new growth on many plants and unfortunately the new growth has turned brown with the freezes we have had more recently. Strange spring indeed.
We saw our very first hummingbird today...at the feeder we just put up. But it was MUCH to cold up here earlier this week with snow and temps of 31! Go figure!
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