Have you noticed some of your plants flowering again, out of their typical season? While a second bloom can be a beautiful and welcome surprise, we often hear a curious concern: Is the plant getting ready to die? The good news is, this mistaken conviction is not the case at all. This phenomenon is a perfectly acceptable plant response to environmental changes, and there’s a wonderful term for it in the world of horticulture: “remontant”.
Derived from the French word meaning “to rise again,” remontant is used to describe plants that bloom more than once a year. In fact, this trait is considered extremely desirable, as we all love a beautiful floral display! This re-blooming behavior is not a last-ditch effort for survival; it’s a natural reaction to specific weather trends that can be a signal of a healthy plant.
Understanding the Science of Re-blooming
Spring-blooming plants set their buds for the following year shortly after their current season’s blooms fade. Typically, these buds remain dormant throughout the rest of the year. However, suppose a period of intense environmental stress—like the heat and drought we’ve experienced in the Chicagoland area this season—is followed by a cooler period with rain. In that case, it can cause the plant to sense a “winter rest”. This can break the buds’ dormancy, causing a beautiful, but out-of-season, floral pop.
This can happen in many common landscape plants, including rhododendrons, hydrangeas, roses, and magnolias. It’s a testament to the resilience of a healthy plant in response to unusual weather patterns.
Managing a Re-blooming Landscape
Thankfully, remontant blooming doesn’t usually occur throughout the entire plant. You’ll typically see a scattering of blooms here and there, adding welcome flashes of color during the “dog days” of late summer.
It’s important to remember that any buds that bloom during the summer or fall will not bloom again in the spring. They’ve simply fulfilled their purpose a bit early. To ensure your plants are well-equipped to handle environmental stressors and continue to thrive, our team at Cornerstone Partners provides meticulous Plant Health Care (PHC) services. This includes expert fertilization, proactive pest and disease management, and a focus on overall plant vitality.
If you have questions about your plants blooming out of season or would like to ensure your landscape is prepared to handle whatever Mother Nature sends its way, our experts are here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our professional Plant Health Care services.
