Our lilac bushes are in their second bloom of the season. It is not normal. This time of year, flower buds for next year have formed and the plant goes into dormancy. Extreme weather, in terms of a strong enough combination of temperature and moisture cues encouraged the plants to resume growth. Heat and drought followed by cooler weather and moisture likely produced this response. The buds simply broke dormancy and grew because of it.

On a drive to the county seat, I noticed this happening with lilacs in multiple places. New growth is leafing out, and the number of blooms is as good as it was during Spring on some of them. This is one more example of the climate crisis disrupting natural cycles.

The Red Delicious apple tree joined the fake spring party leafing out in different spots on old growth branches. No evidence of blooms, and that is a good thing. If this dying tree blooms at all, I hope it will be in spring when there is a chance of a crop growing to harvest. I forgot how pretty the new leaves can be.

The apple tree corroborates the story of the lilacs. Environmental conditions have it breaking normal, seasonal dormancy. This false hope of spring is unsettling. One more worrisome thing in our changing climate.

As I do so often, I will let nature to take its course, and autumn frost will end the unseasonable growth at the expense of spring. The unsettling nature of events will stay with me through winter.