The old saying goes: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute.” Quick meteorological change was certainly the case this April. Temperatures in the 90s were followed by frost and then snow showers.

What effect does this drastic change in temperature have on plants? While snow in April can be downright depressing, it has a much more gentle effect than a cold clear night of freezing temperatures. Trees, shrubs, and perennials hardy to Zones 4 and 5 are able to acclimate to temperature changes. We did not cover any of these plants at the Nursery. Even the pansies and tulips were left to fend for themselves.

The warm temperatures did force open the blooms on some trees and shrubs sooner than normal. The magnolia was the most noticeable. Most were in magnificent bloom when the weather turned. Magnolia blossoms cannot tolerate frost, so overnight they all changed from a lovely shade of pink to a papery brown. The frost affected only the blossoms, however, and did not kill the tree. Forsythia bushes came through the cold unscathed, their yellow blooms as lovely as ever.

There is a lesson in the experience of such spring weather: buy hardy stock. Purchasing Vermont-grown stock can make a difference, at least in the first year when a plant is getting established and is more vulnerable. Know what zone you live in, and realize that if you choose more tender plants they will be affected by drastic temperature changes like the ones we experienced this spring. We do not recommend that you give plants special treatment, as they need to get used to the environment in which they are expected to thrive. Buy hardy, instead.