March 2023 Moment in Nature

This post is a bit of a follow-up to last week's crazy spring post. Folks all over the internet were worried about the temperature dips we had last week. There were several nights when the temperature went below 32 just before sunrise. Native plant enthusiasts know that native plants are well-adapted to a little spring fluctuation.

So I didn't obsess over the forecast and watched as my budding blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) opened into full bloom this week without any issue. This large shrub/small tree is one of my favorite plants to recommend for small spaces where it provides much value to the local ecosystem and much beauty for the homeowner (it has fabulous fall color too). It has a nice upright form that doubles as a small tree.

Viburnum prunifolium this week

More low temps are coming this week so we get to watch and learn some more. It all depends on how long the blooms/leaves have been unfurled (have they hardened off), how low the temperatures go, and how many hours the temps are below freezing.