'Best stand of blooms ever:' Tulips grace gardens
Spring has brought with it one of many people's favorite annual traditions, the blooming of tulips. From Montana to New Jersey, red tulips are brightening volunteers' gardens.
Volunteers across North America are reporting that their tulips are in bloom as spring churns along, and April was a big month for blooming tulips in many parts of the United States.
Tulips in bloom
A mild winter in many locations has had an effect on spring tulips, according to some volunteers, with Dea reporting on April 13, 2024 from Alpha, Illinois: “Mild winter, best stand of blooms ever!”
Steve in Lewistown, Montana reported three blooming tulips on April 27, 2024 after a “warmer than usual winter” with little snow aside from two spring snowstorms. Steve had reported tulips emerging on April 1, 2024.
Others were still waiting in April for their annual blooms. Jill in Seven Bays, Washington reported emerging tulips on April 11, 2024 with a sense of anticipation:
“Can't wait to see the beautiful red Tulips! These are planted out on our 20 acres that we visit often. We are thankful that the plants survived a forest fire in 2020 as we got the Tulips from my Dad who has since passed away.”
Earlier in the spring, more southern residents started to report blooms in March, including on March 27, 2024 from Buchanan, Virginia and April 5, 2024 from Millville, New Jersey.
LD in Hamilton, Ohio reported 50 tulips blooming on April 8, 2024:
“We dug up old bulbs 2 years ago after cicada and moles ran through our beds. We replanted and replaced some.It took them awhile to recover. I believe the Red Tulips are Red Impression and the Orange are Orange Emperor Tulips. I have a few Yellow Mrs. Scheepers and a few Dordogne that will bloom later.”
Not far away, in Ashland, Ohio, Angela reported the following on April 9, 2024:
“We are excited to see that 24 of the tulips we planted are blooming today. We are having a nice warm spring day today. We are looking foward to seeing all of the other tulips bloom.”
Even earlier, blooming tulips were reported by Patsy in Independence, Kansas on March 13, 2024:
“Mrs. Giles', and Mrs, Holehan's classes would like to report that our at tulips Eisenhower Elementary have bloomed. They bloomed while we were away on Spring Break that we loved. It was a warm week on Spring break, Today is very cold. One of our tulips were 30 cm tall. They are pretty with purple pollen in it. The petals were soft.”
Track Seasonal Change
Through their collective observations, these volunteers paint a vivid portrait of spring’s arrival, reminding us of the magic found in the simple act of blooming. Each tulip invites us to pause and marvel at the beauty that surrounds us, even in the most unexpected places.
For educators, participation in this project also helps spark curiosity and understanding of phenology. Inspire students to think and act like scientists as they observe seasonal changes in the garden. This project is a great way to spark curiosity and investigation into questions such as:
- How does the weather affect tulips?
- What is happening underground?
- Where on the map will the first tulips emerge?
- When will my tulips emerge and bloom?
Use science journaling with students to record soil temperatures, make predictions, measure growth, and draw and describe the garden. Document their discoveries in their science notebooks and record questions during the investigation. Gather your questions and predictions about tulips, gardens, planting experiments, daylight, and climate.
Keep reporting
Remember to report from your garden twice this spring: when tulips EMERGE and when tulips BLOOM. If you planted in the fall, don't forget to report your emergence and bloom dates.
Study the map to see where there’s action!
Thank you!
