Why is my shrub blooming now?

As I turned around after planting a perennial hibiscus shrub, I was shocked to see a deep purple

Spring bloomers like rhododendrons can be fooled into flowering in the fall. Photo by Doug Oster

rhododendron in bloom.

Normally we would be anxiously awaiting those flowers in mid-May. Each day the buds swelling, then blushing with color and finally the plant would be covered in blooms.

Spring bloomers can be fooled by Mother Nature, often after a cold spell is followed by a warm up. Usually though the whole plant does not flower, it starts with just a few blooms and then shuts down when the temperatures drop again.

The good news and bad news are the same in this case. There’s nothing we can do about it, so enjoy the color.

Any bud that’s bloomed won’t flower again this spring, we’ll have to wait until the next year. But since the plants rarely open all their blooms, it’s just something to live with.

The garden is always filled with mysterious happenings, that’s what makes it so much fun.

Doug Oster is editor of Everybody Gardens, a website operated by 535Media, LLC. Reach him at 412-965-3278 or doster@535mediallc.com. See other stories, videos, blogs, tips and more at everybodygardens.com.