Fits and Starts

Spring erupts in fits and starts, bringing snow and bloom. Learn more about the botany of those big red blooms.

almost blooming in the garden — "Mrs. Giles first grade class reports that one of our tulips has started to bloom. Three tulips are nearly ready to bloom. We need a sunny day!" Independence, Kansas on March 26th.

Map of Tulip Test Gardens Spring 2018 in North America

Emerging tulips are such a hopeful sign of spring. Students in Olathe, Kansas write, "After a cold winter it is nice to see signs of spring!" Many Test gardens may be emerged, but seem to be in a holding pattern until temperatures increase. We're all watching and waiting for warmer weather to sweep across North America.

"Our tulips continue to get taller but no one is brave enough to show it's face. The weather is too confusing. One day it is sunny and warm and the next day it is cold." Wilson, Washington on March 21st.

"Hoping for more, having big temp. swings lately - will winter ever release its grip!?" Wilmington, North Carolina on March 20th.

"We saw tulips growing in places that we did NOT plant them in! We saw tulips growing through the SNOW! They were about 1”-3” tall." Kaiserslautern, Germany on February 21st.

Waiting for Spring

As storm after storm crossed the continent, the official first day of spring brought winter conditions to so many gardens.

"Here in Anchorage, Alaska on the first day of "Spring" our bulbs are still under about 8 inches of snow. It'll probably another month before we start seeing "green up" and the possibility of tulips blooming." Anchorage on March 20th.