Last week was quite cool cloudy and wet, and because of this there was a very slow progression in spring growth, up until now. This week, we are turning things around and going to go back to normal – even pushing 80 by weeks end! I expect things will speed up quite drastically this week. Crabapples are now in the spotlight here in southern Iowa, and what nice show they are putting on right now! Northern Iowa is just a bit behind in pre-show, but will soon be blooming.

 

Crabapples are in full bloom right now both in southern Iowa’s cities and small charming towns, blooming in shades of white and pink. Doesn’t make a difference if you’re in an old neighborhood or a new suburb, these are so popular you can find them anywhere, including in many store parking lots and along trees and front yards. Their sheer numbers in the landscape is creating a beautiful scene and the smell is wonderful. Check out the Arboretum at Water Works Park if you want to see a great display of crabapple trees show off about 100 or so of varieties that are available. Go to your local garden center to pick out a nice variety that is resistant to apple scab, which causes older varieties to be leafless in August.

Here is another large shrub with a wonderful smell that is old-fashioned Lilac. I really love these in the landscape – so much so, I believe Iowa gardens should not be without them. These are the types of flowers that produce memories and it is their great smell that they are most famous for. They bloom in light purple, dark purple, white, and yellow – each color smells slightly different. You can find these in older neighborhoods, smaller towns, and at farmsteads. When looking for lilacs, keep in mind there are two newer varieties of lilacs called Miss Kim and Dwarf Korean, which bloom way later than common lilacs and also look and small different.

Leaf cover is being quickly produced thanks to the 0.75″ of rain we received last week. Now with the warm up this week, things will really start to produce leaves. The two Maples in my yard are starting to produce a little big of shade. Despite the colder weather, we continue to be right where we should be in terms of flowers and leaf out. Right now, 100% of all trees have small leaves on them, and earlier trees now have “leaves of summer” which means the leaves have reached as large as they can be. In areas where there is a high number of early trees, it looks like summer is right around the corner – all we need is the weather!

 

Planting Information for Iowa:

• Southern 1/3rd of the state Interstate 80 area South:
  • It is generally time plant tender annuals and vegetables average last frost for this area is April 27th.
• Central and Northern Iowa, Highway 30 corridor, Highway 20 corridor & Highway 18 corridor:
  • It is not yet time to plant tender annuals. Average last frost for this area is between May 9th and May 15th.