Blog

Have your small trees, shrubs or other flowers not bloomed yet this year? Or if they have, are you only seeing a few blooms where there should be hundreds? There are multiple factors that can cause this. However, one significant factor to consider is the weather. In March, many areas across the country experienced unusually warm weather followed by freezing temperatures that caused damage to plants.

WEATHER

March 8th through March 16th, we experienced some unusually warm weather with highs reaching 70 degrees and the nightly lows being in the high 40’s or even 50 degrees. This warm weather caused shrubs, flowers, and trees to come out of dormancy and start to bloom. But then from March
17th through March 20th, freezing temperatures hit again, and this caused significant damage to many plants. The sudden drop in temperature froze the sap in the plants, leading to damaged tissues and even killing buds.

FREEZE DAMAGE

The damage caused by the freeze can be seen in various ways. Some plants may have leaves or stems that have turned black or brown, while others may not have any buds or blooms at all. In some cases, the damage may not be visible yet, and it may take some time for the extent of the damage to become apparent.

OTHER FACTORS

Aside from weather-related damage, other reasons why your plants may not be blooming could include pruning habits, soil conditions, pests and diseases, and the age of the plants. However, if you noticed that your plants were doing well before the freeze but have since shown signs of damage or slowed growth, the weather is likely the primary cause.

If your plants have suffered weather-related damage, there are a few things you can do to help them recover. First, remove any damaged or dead parts of the plant to prevent disease from spreading. Second, give the plant time to recover and regrow new buds and leaves. Finally, if you are in an area where the temperature is still likely to fluctuate, consider protecting your plants with blankets or other coverings during cold snaps.