Confused Minnesota lilacs produce rare fall blooms

As summer turns to fall, Minnesotans might expect to see golden rod, blue cornflower or autumn sedum in bloom. But lilacs? This year, these spring bloomers are putting on a second show.

“This is unusual, because they’re usually some of our favorite spring blooms to see,” said Seth Wannemuehler, a post-doctoral researcher in the Department of Horticultural Science at the University of Minnesota.

He said that when the weather exhibits consistent heat and then cools down and warms again, it simulates spring for the flower and causes the hormones that keep them dormant to break down.

“We get a reblooming, a re-flushing out of flowers in the fall, which is somewhat worrying but also somewhat lovely to have lilacs in the fall,” Wannemuehler said. “It’s not something we typically get.”

Wannemuehler said that not every bud reblooms, though, so there should be enough buds left for spring.

“We’ll still have plenty to enjoy and look forward to those beautiful and fragrant spring flowers on the lilac,” he said.

Listen to the full conservation by clicking play on the player above.

• Gun incident at Minnesota hospital raises questions about nurse safety
• Farmers are already planting, so can gardeners follow suit?
• Federal humanities cuts means halting programs in Minnesota communities
• Morning Announcements for April 24 and 25