Nov 4, 2024 - Climate

Iowa lilacs are displaying rare fall blooms

Jason Clayworth

A photo of lilacs. — Altoona resident Phil Seibert noted the backdrop of a maple tree to his blooming lilacs via an online post last week. Meanwhile, others are blooming at DSM's Ewing Park. Photos: Courtesy of Phil Seibert; city of DSM

Some metro residents have lilacs in bloom, a rare phenomenon caused by stressful growing conditions like drought.

State of play: They are not harmful to the plant, but there will likely be fewer flowers next spring, Arron Steil, a consumer horticulture extension specialist at Iowa State University, wrote in a recent online Q&A.

The intrigue: Some lilac varieties have been cultivated for late-season blooms but are typically less flowery, per Steil.

Get a whiff: Some are in bloom at Ewing Park Lilac Arboretum.

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Iowa lilacs are displaying rare fall blooms

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