Bloom Blurb: Redbuds & more – 03/25/23

“With the warmer night temperatures this week, I’m expecting lots of blooms to open just in time for the Cherry Blossom Kite & Piñata Festival. Unfortunately, many of our ornamental cherries trees have died or are in a state of decline, but the crabapples and redbuds should make a nice show the week of March 25-April 1. We are in the process of replanting both native and exotic ornamental flowering trees that have a typical lifespan of 30 years and even less in a park setting.

The Yoshino cherries and almonds are usually the first to bloom from late March to early April, followed by Higan cherries and the big, double Kwanzan or Mt. Fuji cultivars begin blooming by the end of the April. The bloom period is short and the petal colors change daily from hues of pink and white. Depending on the weather, April brings, redbuds, crabapples, viburnum, more magnolias, serviceberries, lilacs, buckeyes, and native dogwoods. It is also a fun time to look for the spring ephemeral wildflowers. Trillium, trout lily, and toothwort are coming up in the woodland areas.”

Katie Keith
Botanical Center Coordinator
Springfield-Greene County Park Board