Weather outlook favorable for spring dogwood display

Spring began March 20, according to the calendar, but for many Missourians spring starts with the first blossoming of Missouri’s native flowering trees. State officials say prospects are excellent for a good dogwood display this year.
The serviceberry (Amelanchier arobrea), redbud (Cercis canadensis) and flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) all are native to Missouri. Serviceberry trees – also known as shadbush • bloom first, painting hillsides with splashes of bright white. Redbuds are next, sending out clusters of rose-purple flowers from late March through early May.
Dogwoods provide the season climax, normally reaching their blossoming peak in mid-April near the Arkansas border and two to three weeks later near Iowa. Pink dogwoods and other cultivated varieties often bloom earlier than their wild relatives. Even native varieties bloom earlier in cities, due to the warming effect of heat-retaining asphalt and concrete.
Weather plays a critical role in determining when...
Read the complete story in the April 2nd print edition.
PHOTO: Barring unusual cold snaps, Missouri can look forward to a beautiful spring display of dogwood blossoms, starting in early April near the Arkansas border and reaching northern Missouri two or three weeks later. (Missouri Department of Conservation photo)