SCRANTON -- It really is strange to see flowers blooming alongside Christmas decorations in parts of our area, but that is happening in many spots.
The expert we talked with said while this certainly is odd, it should not do any damage to the plants.
The leather leaf viburnum at the University of Scranton is supposed to be covered in blooms in spring, not December and it's the same with forsythia starting to pop out in Nay Aug Park.
This warm weather has spring springing five months early.
"It's really screwing up the timing of some plants, I think."
Erica Lasek-Nesselquist knows it's hard to complain about the warmth while walking her dog.
"It's a little disturbing when you think about what that means ecologically, but it's also nice to be out in a light jacket and not bundled up."
Viewers have shared photos of a flowering snapdragon in Watsontown, mint blooming in Bloomsburg, and daffodils popping out of the ground in many locations.
Some people worry about what this out-of-season growth means.
"I hope it doesn't die. If the winter cold comes in and kills it, then it doesn't bloom next year. That's what I'm worried about," said Anna Garon of Scranton.
In most places you look, it does still look like December. There isn't any sign of growth and foresters tell us there is really no sign for concern at this point either.
"This is the first time I've seen such an extended warm period in November and December, but not to worry," said Tony Santoli, Scranton's forester.
His inspections around the city show these early blooms are just spotty.
"It would take an extended period, two, three weeks of temperatures 65 to 70 degrees to cause any real concerns," said Santoli.
Plants blooming now may not behave like normal come spring, but Santoli says there should be no long term damage.
"Mother Nature will not let us down. I don't think there's going to be any disaster to our trees, perennials, and flowers."
If you have a plant that is blooming, Santoli says there's not much you can do about it, except be amazed that it's flowering at Christmas time.
Check out some great viewer-submitted photos of December blooms below and submit your own to our December Blooms Photo Gallery HERE.
