The yellow Crocuses were the first blooms I spotted this year. They were fully open on the 15th of February. I also saw some Winter Aconite in bloom shortly after the Crocuses. It’s no wonder that we have blooms this early, we just lived through the fourth warmest February in the global climate record (NOAA, 2023). Normally, the Witch Hazels would have been in bloom right along with the Crocuses and Aconite. Unfortunately, most of our local Witch Hazels lost their buds in the Christmas Eve bomb cyclone.
Another two weeks or so later and the early Daffodils, Hellebores, and white and purple Crocuses added their blooms to the beautiful Spring display. But it seems that most of those first, earliest blooms were strictly yellow in color.
My dear friend, Sue and I recently had a discussion about how it seemed like the earliest blooms seem to mostly be yellow; Witch Hazels, Winter Aconite, Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, Hellebores, early Daffodils, and the yellow Crocuses. Of course, many of these flowers and trees are capable of producing different colors of blooms, but it still seems to be the yellows blooms that open first. Is this an accident? I think not.
I decided that it was time for some research and I did try to for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I was unable to find any solid (scientific) answers online. I found only one article that offered an answer, however it didn’t seem to have any scientific publications cited to back up its statements. So unless any of you have any good books to recommend to me (and if you do, please comment them below!), we’re going to have to keep wondering about those early yellow blooms.
My guess is that the color of the flowers has a direct tie to the pollinators they are trying to attract. What do you think?
As always, thank you so much for reading!
Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.
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Gardening Books I recommend: (These are affiliate links which means that I receive a very small commission if you purchase from them.)
Attracting Native Pollinators – https://amzn.to/403Fdi5
100 Plants to Feed the Bees: Provide a Healthy Habitat to Help Pollinators Thrive – https://amzn.to/3JIe3aM
The Pollinator Victory Garden: Win the War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening; Attract and Support Bees, Beetles, Butterflies, Bats and Other Pollinators – https://amzn.to/3ZMeAh7
The Seed Saving Guide: How to Store and Keep Your Seeds of Vegetables, Fruits, Plants, and Herbs Fresh for the Next 3 Years of Crisis – https://amzn.to/3Jmw5Od
Gaia’s Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture – https://amzn.to/3mRwdhh
Floret Farm’s A Year in Flowers: Designing Gorgeous Arrangements for Every Season – https://amzn.to/3ZPgYnl
Products I use and (therefore) recommend:
Felco 6 Hand Pruners – https://amzn.to/3WK719c
Felco 2 Hand Pruners – https://amzn.to/3ChzcUU
Reference:
February 2023 was Earth’s 4th warmest on record. (2023, March 14). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https://www.noaa.gov/news/february-2023-was-earths-4th-warmest-on-record#:~:text=February%202023%20%7C%20Season%20(December%202022,in%20the%20global%20climate%20record.
Liquidambar Girl Gardening 