This winter’s warm temperatures is causing some flowers to bloom earlier than they’re supposed to, impacting the environment and the growing season.  

Melissa Finley is an expert on woody plants, and says that the recent warmer temperatures have some shrubs shooting up about two to three months ahead of schedule, which can lead to them dying when hit by a cold frost.

“This is an example of a lilac bud that has opened too early… that flower has now been destroyed by cold temperatures after the warm temperatures caused it to open,” said Finley, who showed News 12’s Carmen Grant some of the many plants that have suffered during the unseasonably warm winter.   

A quick trip through the grounds of the New York Botanical Garden reveals areas where the lack of winter show could negatively affect tree health, specifically the tree’s root system.  

Finley says that snow acts as a blanket to protect underground roots during winter, but when there is a lack of it, that root system is left exposed and vulnerable to the harsh winter elements.  

Finley says the Botanical Garden is monitoring all of their perennials during the warm spell, and that any gardeners worried for their own plant’s health should cover up their plants when temperatures drop below freezing.