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: July 16 2024

» Published: June 12 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

Child Abuse Images Discovered on
1 MIN READ

Child Abuse Images Discovered on Computer at Swedish Repair Shop

Explosion Rocks Trollhättan Apartment Building,
1 MIN READ

Explosion Rocks Trollhättan Apartment Building, No Injuries Reported

Teenager Seriously Injured in Highway
1 MIN READ

Teenager Seriously Injured in Highway Collision with A-Tractor

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved to High-Security Turkish Prison

SMHI Warns of High Grass
1 MIN READ

SMHI Warns of High Grass Fire Risk in Sweden's Snow-Free Regions

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested in Turkey, Press Freedom at Risk

Man in His 30s Found
1 MIN READ

Man in His 30s Found Dead Outdoors in Norrköping; Murder Investigation Launched

Police Car and Fire Truck
1 MIN READ

Police Car and Fire Truck Crash on E4 Injures Officers

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After
2 MIN READ

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After Arrest in Turkey

Europol Looks to Sweden for
2 MIN READ

Europol Looks to Sweden for Tackling Digital Gang Crime

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch
1 MIN READ

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch Fire in Strömstad Residence

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden
1 MIN READ

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden with Temperatures Over 20 Degrees

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap
3 MIN READ

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap to Capture Prey, Study Reveals

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of
3 MIN READ

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of Terrorism and Anti-Turkish Reporting

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes
1 MIN READ

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes Catch Fire at Swedish Hospital

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices
4 MIN READ

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices Soar: 200 Kronor Gift Cards Run Out

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance
3 MIN READ

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance Powers on Minors in Sweden

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at
1 MIN READ

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at Rare Solar Eclipse with Welding Masks

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected to Be Released Soon in Turkey

Police Struggle to Keep Up
3 MIN READ

Police Struggle to Keep Up as Online Radicalization Surges

Witness the Partial Solar Eclipse
3 MIN READ

Witness the Partial Solar Eclipse on March 29: How to Safely Watch

Body Discovered After Gislaved Apartment
1 MIN READ

Body Discovered After Gislaved Apartment Fire; Police Investigate

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested in Turkey Without Charge Details

Teen Convicted in Skärholmen Tunnel
1 MIN READ

Teen Convicted in Skärholmen Tunnel Murder Appeals 14-Year Sentence

Key Figures Depart Following Millennium
1 MIN READ

Key Figures Depart Following Millennium System Halt in Västra Götaland

Teen Arrested After Man Shot
1 MIN READ

Teen Arrested After Man Shot in Gothenburg Residential Area

Two Arrested After Gunfire Hits
1 MIN READ

Two Arrested After Gunfire Hits Apartments in Arlöv Near Malmö

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Five Hospitalized Following Serious Car Crash Near Surahammar

Sweden Sets Clocks Forward for
1 MIN READ

Sweden Sets Clocks Forward for Summertime Transition

Man in His 70s Dies
1 MIN READ

Man in His 70s Dies in Drowning Accident in Jämtland

Facebook Revives Friend Feed to
1 MIN READ

Facebook Revives Friend Feed to Reconnect Users

Sweden Redirects 158 Million Kronor
1 MIN READ

Sweden Redirects 158 Million Kronor Aid to Myanmar Earthquake Relief

Fegen Residents Advised to Boil
1 MIN READ

Fegen Residents Advised to Boil Water Due to Waterworks Issue

Swedish Journalist's Arrest in Turkey
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist's Arrest in Turkey Sparks Global Outcry

EU License Changes May Impact
4 MIN READ

EU License Changes May Impact Swedish A-Tractor Rules for Teens

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Detained
3 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Detained in Turkey

Sixth Suspect Linked to December
1 MIN READ

Sixth Suspect Linked to December Murder in Växjö

Swedish Foreign Minister Deeply Moved
1 MIN READ

Swedish Foreign Minister Deeply Moved by Southeast Asia Earthquake

Man in Custody After Shooting
1 MIN READ

Man in Custody After Shooting at Police in Karlshamn

Swedish IS Terrorist Osama Krayem
1 MIN READ

Swedish IS Terrorist Osama Krayem Detained for Serious War Crimes