A Fall Bloom? What an Unusual Weather Pattern Means for Your Lilacs

Are you a fan of lilacs? The perfumey plant could have a second act this year, thanks to the weather we've seen this year, meaning a second chance at seeing the spring plant showing off in September. Here's why we might see a second act from spring's most sniffed plant.

A Second Act On The Way?

Yesterday, as I was filling in for Kelly on WJON, I got to host the Garden Corner. My guest was Bill Cook, Master Gardener, and we got onto the topics of why leaves are turning so soon on area trees as well as lilac bushes, and why we could see another round of blooming lilacs before we see October.

According to Bill, we could see some Central Minnesota lilacs bloom a second time in September, as the weather conditions we've been having have favored many lilacs to have lost a majority of their blooms/leaves thanks to lilac blight.

What has happened is that many lilac bushes have gone dormant this summer due to the wet conditions we've been seeing, and when we see plants going dormant during the summer, there is a chance that we could see a second bloom due to the plant being confused.

Bill stated on the air that some Central Minnesota lilacs bloomed a second time last year due to the same weather-related issues we've seen this year.

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A Second Bloom Shouldn't Affect Your Plant...Much

The big question that I had after learning about the second bloom, and how it will occur somewhat late in the year, is what happens to the plant? Will it affect the plant when actual spring rolls around? (The buds of a lilac are formed during May for the next season)

Bill said that if you see a blooming lilac this fall, one that isn't a 'boomerang' lilac, the plant should be fine next spring, as it will just be a partial bloom that we would experience this fall, which is good news for owners of lilacs.

Why Are Trees In Minnesota Showing Fall Color So Early?

Some trees around my neighborhood, south of St. Cloud, as well as some of the trees I pass on the way to work, have been showing yellow or red leaves, as if we were in late September. The reason we are seeing the leaves changing colors already has to do with the weather we've been having. A wet spring and summer have caused the trees to stress out