Mild weather brings up the bulbs - Indiana Yard and Garden - Purdue Consumer Horticulture

Mild weather brings up the bulbs

Flower bulbs that are poking their foliage through the soil.

Daffodils come up during mild weather
Photo credits: Rosie Lerner, Purdue Extension

It’s not unusual for Indiana weather to have trouble deciding what season it is. Recent warm spells have had many gardeners wondering what to do about bulbs, and perhaps a few plants that are poking their foliage through the soil. Just what should gardeners do about daffodils, dianthus and daylilies poking out of the ground?

The good news is that no action is required. We’re used to seeing this happen in late winter during a February warm spell. The plants will survive just fine.

Daylily flower bulb foliage freeze injury

Freeze injury to daylily foliage

The longer the mild weather stays around, the more potential there is for damage when below-freezing temperatures return. Foliage that has popped up may be killed back, but the bulbs and storage roots should remain undamaged underground. As the plants completely push out in spring, damaged foliage will appear brown, giving plants a raggedy appearance. But the plants themselves will survive.

Flower buds on spring-flowering trees and shrubs are also starting to plump up, but should be fine so far. As buds progress in their development, they become more susceptible to freeze damage. And, spring is still over a month away, leaving plenty of opportunity for fluctuating temperatures. There isn’t much we can do about the weather except to sit back and wait to see what Mother Nature has in store for us!

 


Share This Article
Disclaimer: Reference to products is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in these articles assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current directions of the manufacturer.
Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture - Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, 625 Agriculture Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907

© 2024 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture

If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please contact Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture at homehort@purdue.edu | Accessibility Resources