skip to main content

Why are there forsythia blooming?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

A couple years ago, when we had a ridiculously warm December, some forsythia popped quite a few blooms in the area. That made some level of sense to me.

They also bloomed very early, in February, this year, because February was very warm. This year, they’re blooming during a mostly cold-ish November, and some of them haven’t even lost their leaves from this past season yet, so it’s not like they ever went dormant to start with.

October was warm, and the first couple of days of November, but the rest of November has been slightly below normal temperatures overall, and honestly we haven’t been much warmer than the low 60s since then a couple of times since the beginning of the month.

We’ve got mature, this-season leaves, still hanging on, along with flower buds opening at the same time.

That is just odd to me, has anyone else ever seen this?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Embothrium
6 years ago
These often open a percentage of buds in fall. Certain other early blooming shrubs may produce a partial preview in fall also. It has to do with their flower buds being ready to go early in the game, so that some may jump the gun some years.
0
User
6 years ago
I am in NJ (also Zone 7) and mine have been blooming for weeks now. We have been above normal for September, October and November. Foliage coloration was horrible this year. We went from green to frozen brown when it turned cold for a few days, then warm again, so now there are dead leaves on the trees that still won't fall off. Also, drought conditions are building again. My forsythia usually drops its leaves but I do still see a lot of green leaves on it.
0
Related Discussions
Prune with the forsythia is blooming???
Q
Comments (7)
I like what Kim wrote: "It was a good rule of thumb where there were actual SEASONS and where pruning prematurely could actually set the roses back due to extreme freezes. That doesn't hold water in climates where things regularly bloom whenever the heck they want. Kim" It's a good rule for my zone 5a to prevent frosting of new growth. But for warm climate? Prune when there's plenty of water for new growth is a better rule. Fall or winter pruning in my zone 5a is a NO-NO. Last December I pruned baby Radio Times to fit into plastic collar to hold soil. When spring came, there were severe wounds/black canker where I pruned. The rosarian Karl Bapst, zone 5a, is right about nature storing its food/nutrients for the winter in the canes, why chop it off? When the forsythia blooms in zone 5a spring, is when it's warm enough for roses to push forth new growth.
...See More
Why are Forsythias/Lilacs Blooming Again in Fall?
Q
Comments (8)
Add hostas to that list too. Today, I saw hosta plants still not effected by any frost / freeze in full bloom. Black eyed susans just the same. About half of the trees are still fully leafed and green to boot. It seems every fall, our leaves stay on at least a few days/weeks longer. Without fail!
...See More
2nd year in a row my Lynwood Gold Forsythias only bloomed @ the bottom
Q
Comments (7)
Lynwood is also native to Asia. Btw, I've always called them Lynwood Gold, because the nursery I got them from called them that, and so do apparently tens of thousands of other people online. I'm not going to rip them out and get hardier Forsythias though, because they've grown so tall in my yard, and appear to love it here. They just suck at blooming.
...See More
Forsythia Skipped Blooming?
Q
Comments (14)
As I drove around this year I did notice that there was not a big show. I have the old ones that were in place since the place was built probably 60 yrs ago. Like the the other older homes in the area there was a show not as big as in prior years but a good show. They are not the new improved ones so I have never had a no bloom Spring.
...See More
hairmetal4ever
Original Author
6 years ago
Yeah, I guess what threw me off was the fact they hadn’t even lost their leaves to begin with, yet.

Per the National Weather Service the website, we’re just a hair above normal temperatures for November as of right now.
0

Related Stories

COLOR Rooms Bloom with Daffodil Colors

By Lisa Frederick

Spread sunshine throughout your home's interior design with the yellow and green colors of this flower-power palette

SPRING GARDENING 8 Sunny Spring Flowers

Add a burst of yellow to the garden with forsythia, witch hazel, winter jasmine and more

GARDENING GUIDES Simple Pleasures: Savor the First Spring Day in the Garden

By Laura Gaskill

How will you answer the call of the garden once the birds are chirping, the bulbs are blooming and the air is inviting?

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Spring Blossoms Burst Into the Big City

By Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting

Warm weather has lured busloads of gorgeous flowers to New York, from shy buds to full-blown blooms

WINTER GARDENING 6 Flowers for Gorgeous Winter Garden Color

Blooming beauties can be yours from January through March — just take your pick from these bulbs, shrubs and even a tree

REGIONAL GARDEN GUIDES Mid-Atlantic Gardener's September Checklist

Squash, anyone? Cool-season veggies are suiting up for the garden, while summer's last blooms are winding down

Treat Yourself to a Bouquet of Flowers

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Easy Accessory: Fresh Blooms Create Happy Rooms

GARDENING GUIDES Rocky Mountain Gardener's March Checklist

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Ride out fickle weather by forcing flowers, planning indoors and heading outside to spot blooming bulbs when you can

GARDENING GUIDES Rocky Mountain Gardener's May Checklist

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Follow nature's beckoning and enjoy the extravaganza; summer gardens are a blooming wonderland in the Rocky Mountains

0

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Knock Out Roses

By J. Peterson Garden Design

As glorious as their high-maintenance kin for a fraction of the work, Knock Out roses make even beginners look like garden stars

Sponsored

More Discussions

How do you know spring has arrived?

59

Tall shrub or small tree. Verticillium wilt resistant.

2

I live in a deep woods, need yellow Evergreen shrub

24

Educate me about Viburnum plicatum

1

Can I grow fire light tidbits hydrangeas in these conditions?

1