SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Early Summer Can Affect Midsummer Bouquet

Summer arrived extra early this year – which made the time between hawthorn and lilac unusually short, according to reports on flowering patterns around Sweden. The flowering is happening earlier and over a shorter period, says Ola Langvall from SLU.

» Updated: 16 July 2024, 14:27

» Published: 12 June 2024

Early Summer Can Affect Midsummer Bouquet
Photo: Hasse Holmberg / TT

Summer arrived extra early this year – which made the time between hawthorn and lilac unusually short, according to reports on flowering patterns around Sweden.

The flowering is happening earlier and over a shorter period, says Ola Langvall from SLU.

The Swedish spring was chilly around Sweden, with snow in large parts of Norrland on Walpurgis Night. Then it suddenly changed.

The fact that summer arrived extra early is evident in the reports from the public, which on 5-6 June documented the situation for some common flowers at nearly 1,200 locations in the country. Lilac, rowan, lily of the valley, and hawthorn had already flowered further north than in the two previous years that the campaign Försommarkollen, which the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the Swedish Botanical Association are behind, has conducted.

We've had a very long period of warmth in most of the country, which has driven flowering and leafing, says Ola Langvall from SLU, coordinator for the Swedish phenology network.

What was most remarkable was how quickly it went from a rather late spring to a very early summer.

"The great threat"

The long-term trend is that climate change leads to changed flowering patterns. Data shows that all species included in Försommarkollen – small bellflower, lily of the valley, cow parsley, hawthorn, rowan, and lilac – now flower further north around National Day than they did 150 years ago.

But the great threat is that invasive species, thanks to climate change, can establish themselves and outcompete native species. Like ragweed, which needs a long season to flower and propagate, says Langvall.

It's also feared by allergy sufferers, as it prolongs the pollen season.

For most species, it doesn't matter much if they flower in May or late June, according to Langvall. However, a shorter flowering period can cause problems for others.

Bees and bumblebees are an example of species that can be disadvantaged when they can't gather nectar over a longer period.

New traditions

Humans are also affected, but then it's about traditions that are being shaken up when nature's cycle changes. Maybe it'll be seven new types of flowers that end up in the bouquet or under the pillow in the future.

Many of the species we associate with Midsummer are already past flowering when we get there. Cow parsley and bellflower will still be possible to have in your bouquet, but Midsummer flowers have almost finished flowering now, says Langvall.

Many people also have strong memories of lilac on the last day of school, but it may become difficult in large parts of the country. However, the fact that the last day of school is being postponed in many places may play a role.

Climate change leads to phenological changes – changes in the annual seasonal variations in nature, which affect the life cycles of species.

Already today, many bird and butterfly species have shifted northwards, and many migratory birds arrive earlier in the spring.

This type of change affects interactions between species, access to food, susceptibility to predators, or the occurrence of diseases. There's a risk, for example, that insects start flying before the plants they pollinate have begun to flower.

Source: The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Hundreds of Millennium Errors at Säs
1 MIN READ

Hundreds of Millennium Errors at Säs

Military Secrets Left Open on Government Website
2 MIN READ

Military Secrets Left Open on Government Website

Climate action at three airports
1 MIN READ

Climate action at three airports

Ammunition Company Fined Millions After Accident
1 MIN READ

Ammunition Company Fined Millions After Accident

Kremlin dismisses cable sabotage allegations: Laughable
1 MIN READ

Kremlin dismisses cable sabotage allegations: Laughable

The National Board of Health and Welfare: Snuff users should get help to quit
1 MIN READ

The National Board of Health and Welfare: Snuff users should get help to quit

Murder investigation discontinued – death was due to illness
1 MIN READ

Murder investigation discontinued – death was due to illness

Assignments: EU wants to invest this much in climate
1 MIN READ

Assignments: EU wants to invest this much in climate

Whistleblowing healthcare assistant wins in Supreme Court
3 MIN READ

Whistleblowing healthcare assistant wins in Supreme Court

The Police Dealt with a Convicted Criminal's Company
1 MIN READ

The Police Dealt with a Convicted Criminal's Company

High-ranking officials suspended at the Rescue Service
1 MIN READ

High-ranking officials suspended at the Rescue Service

Housebreaking Decreases – but Few are Cleared Up
1 MIN READ

Housebreaking Decreases – but Few are Cleared Up

Man Dead After Fall into Hole
1 MIN READ

Man Dead After Fall into Hole

City of Stockholm Reports Crisis to the Police and Withdraws Grants
1 MIN READ

City of Stockholm Reports Crisis to the Police and Withdraws Grants

The Minister on Porn Ban: Not the Only Way
2 MIN READ

The Minister on Porn Ban: Not the Only Way

Report: Sweden lacks legislation against AI-pornography
2 MIN READ

Report: Sweden lacks legislation against AI-pornography

The Snow Chaos is on its way - Several Accidents
3 MIN READ

The Snow Chaos is on its way - Several Accidents

Spanish bad weather - but the Swede dreams of tapas
2 MIN READ

Spanish bad weather - but the Swede dreams of tapas

Man found unconscious in hole - taken to hospital
1 MIN READ

Man found unconscious in hole - taken to hospital

Opposition takes the lead – but the gap narrows
2 MIN READ

Opposition takes the lead – but the gap narrows