Great Lakes February Garden Checklist: Early Blooms and Pruning

Great Lakes gardeners may feel winter will never end, but days lengthen and a few flowers appear. February offers a last chance to prep before spring.

Look for Early-Flowering Bulbs

Winter aconites (Eranthis), snow crocus (Crocus chrysanthus), snowdrops (Galanthus elwesii) bloom when not snow-covered. Plant in warm microclimates for reliable February flowers.

Witch Hazels Unfurl

Hamamelis × intermedia ‘Sunburst’ and others open strap-like petals on warm days; some are fragrant. Espaliered against a wall, they bloom earlier.

Enjoy Indoor Blooms

Forced bulbs potted last fall (tulips, crocus) are in full bloom now.

Plan for Spring

• Order Garden Conservancy Open Days directory for garden visits.
• Order seeds now for 6–8 week starts before last frost; get seed-starting gear.
• Order rare perennials online with April ship date to avoid sell-outs.

Prune Woody Plants (Dormant)

Ideal time to shape dormant woody plants—no leaves means crossing branches are visible (e.g., crabapple Malus ‘Prairiefire’). Avoid winter pruning on “bleeders” (maples) or spring bloomers on old wood (magnolia, forsythia, lilac).

Shape Clematis

Type III (late-flowering, C. viticella hybrids) bloom on new growth—cut to 1 ft from ground now. If outgrowing space, cut to ground. Wait on Type II (early large-flowered) until leaf buds appear (usually March).

Force Flowering Branches Indoors

Cut forsythia, flowering quince (Chaenomeles), pussy willow (Salix) once buds swell. Place in warm water, then room-temp water; change daily. Forsythia blooms in ~2 weeks.

Hang in there—spring is almost here.