The unseasonably warm start to winter this year resulted in the early emergence of many spring bulbs. The Hotline received a question asking if the freezing temperatures we’ve had recently will cause them not to bloom or damage the bulbs.
Early bulb growth is little cause for concern as long as the flower buds haven’t emerged. The bulb is still likely to bloom in the spring. The leaves may get damaged, but the flowers and the bulbs will be fine. Now that our temperatures have returned to normal, the bulbs will quit growing until the spring.
However, if flower buds emerge and we experience a hard freeze they will usually be frozen and fail to bloom. If this happens, don’t give up on the bulbs. They should bloom the following year. Just let the foliage die back naturally.
You can help prevent early growth of spring bulbs by applying several inches of mulch to your beds. This helps keep the soil cold and will slow the warming of soil during winter.