What’s in Bloom?

Cherry tree blossoms in Longenecker Horticultural Gardens

This page offers a selective list of bloom times for popular plants in Longenecker Horticultural Gardens (LHG) and in the Wisconsin Native Plant Garden (WNPG) and natural areas. Weekly updates for LHG will be posted when bloom season begins.

Notes for visitors:

Dogs, tree climbing, picnics, and drones are not allowed. See visitor etiquette»
Posed photography requires a permit. See photography policy»
Garden maps are available to download online or pick up in the Visitor Center.

Longenecker Horticultural Gardens

2025 bloom updates

April 14 updates

More than twenty-five of the earliest flowering magnolia types are showing significant color, with a handful already in full bloom and others expected to be in full bloom later in the week. Freezing temperatures are forecast for Wednesday morning. Depending on the degree and length of cold, some open flowers may be significantly damaged.

A few flowering cherry blooms have begun to open with additional flowering expected to accelerate through the week. Given the current weather forecast, peak flowering is expected to start this weekend.

Lilac bud swelling has begun on early flowering types. First blooms are expected over the weekend. It is too early to predict peak bloom times.

Crabapple buds have begun swelling. Some flowers are expected to open by the weekend.

Also in bloom: Cornelian-cherry dogwood, forsythia and white forsythia, red and Freeman maples, vernal witchhazel, early viburnum types.

April 7 updates

Blossoms on a few magnolias have begun to open. All varieties have some minor frost damage to older flowers. Bloom timing and progression is weather dependent. Cool temperatures slow blooming, and warm temperatures will accelerate it. While the fuzzy outer bud scales protect closed buds, freezing temperatures can damage open flowers.

Forsythia are in full bloom. Cornelian cherry dogwoods are nearing full bloom. Lilac buds are beginning to emerge. Cherry buds are swollen, none are blooming. Crabapple buds are beginning to open, none are blooming.

Bloom time ranges

Time ranges are estimates. Actual bloom dates depend on weather conditions and will be noted in bold when buds begin to open. This date does not reflect peak bloom.

Cherries (Prunus spp.): early to mid-April /April 14
44 specimens (consisting of 21 taxa*)
Magnolias (Magnolia spp.): April–May / April 3
110 specimens (consisting of 75 taxa)
Crabapples (Malus spp.): April–May
200 specimens (consisting of 150 taxa)
Lilacs (Syringa spp.): April–May
400 specimens (consisting of 260 taxa)
Rhododendrons and azaleas (Rhododendron spp.): mid-April–May
99 specimens (consisting of 65 taxa)
Horsechestnut/Buckeyes (Aesculus spp.): mid-May
31 specimens (consisting of 24 taxa)

*taxa include species, subspecies, and cultivars

About blooming tree collections

Collections include early, mid-, and late-flowering types, and there is a range of bloom times within any particular collection. Bloom timing and duration are affected by weather. Hot sunny days may cause early flowering but can decrease bloom length. Cool cloudy days can delay flowering but lengthen bloom period. Open flowers are easily damaged by freezing temperatures.

Wisconsin Native Plant Garden

Bloom Updates

Native plants will generally bloom earlier in the gardens than they do in the natural areas. First bloom date is in the Native Plant Garden unless otherwise noted.