Spring Blossoms Burst Into the Big City

A temperature of 70 degrees in early March? Yes, please! Spring has come early to New York City, and all of the usual signals of the season have appeared well ahead of schedule. While the Northeast would generally need to wait for a couple more weeks to get blooming magnolias and short-sleeve weather, this year we’ve said good-bye to chilly long before the first official day of spring. (Hopefully, there isn’t another freeze around the corner.)

It appears the whole city is embracing the sudden warmth: Gardeners can be watch puttering in their yards; hardware stores are swapping their snow shovels and ice melt bags of potting soil and garden shears, and parents are happily bringing their kids to the park. On top of that, everything is blooming or beginning to bud. Here are some of the signs of spring.

Timothy Sheehan, ASLA

While everybody loves a host of golden daffodils, these two-toned daffodils with white petals surrounding a dark yellow trumpet are a new alternative to the usual all-yellow blossoms.

Crocuses are often the very first blossom to blossom in Brooklyn. The educated anglers of the New York City Parks Department understand that planting them makes for a bigger impact than single scattered bulbs could.

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The branches of most trees are still bare, however, the first indications of life are beginning to look, such as these small blossoms. You can cut a couple budding branches and then bring them inside, where they’ll pop open in a few days.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Magnolia trees are near blooming in much of New York. In only a couple of days they’ll seem just like these fine specimens from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

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An unusual, green-petal Helleborus foetidus is a chic alternative to the anticipated spring bloomers such as daffodils, crocuses and tulips.

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Perennial bushes are about to come into bloom. What is apparently a rhododendron is showing signs of life with buds and new development.

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Pots of narcissus are prepared to be scooped up by gardeners who want a quick spring repair. These pretty plants are fantastic for display both inside and outside. Start looking for ones with unopened buds to find the maximum bang for your dollar.

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Planted tulips haven’t come into bloom yet, but it does not mean that you can’t enjoy them. This flower shop is prepared with cut tulips and potted hyacinths, so even nongardeners may enjoy a jolt of spring.

Dreamy Whites

If you’re bringing spring blossoms inside, there’s nothing prettier that blossoming branches. Be sure to generate a fresh cut at the branch’s foundation and crush the end with a hammer to allow more water to put in the stem. Change the water every couple of days to keep blossoms blooming.

Dreamy Whites

Forsythia’s slender branches are so plentiful that a few will not be overlooked from the bush. Cut the stems on an angle and then remove any floral matter or leaves that will sit under the water line prior to putting them into a vase.

What is blooming where you are?

More:
Garden Musts for March

City Gardener: Winter Window Boxes

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