The first day of spring is Tuesday, March 19
We’re counting down to springtime! Take a look at our timeline of some of the signs of spring to look for in New York City:
Snowdrops
As winter winds down, snowdrops emerge from the frozen ground, usually in January or early February, as one of the earliest signs of spring. This year, snowdrops were spotted in Prospect Park in early February.
Timberdoodles
The presence of woodcocks also known as “timberdoodles” is a sign that their spring migration to the north has begun. This year, were first spotted in mid-February! Their peak arrival time is usually around mid-March. And, as springtime nears, our parklands will welcome warblers, songbirds, and many more feathered friends migrating to NYC.
Delacorte Clock
This musical clock is a favorite stop for kids walking by the Central Park Zoo. On March 2, the clock switches to its spring playlist, featuring songs such as “It Might As Well Be Spring” and “Easter Parade”.
Crocus
The crocus is one of the first spring bulbs to bloom in our parks. This year, crocuses were spotted in Prospect Park in mid-February. Even after they’ve started to open up to the warmer weather, you may see these flowers close again as they are thermonastic, meaning on colder days their flowers close to protect their internal organs, as seen in Central Park at the end of February.
Daffodils
Many New Yorkers look to the blossoming of daffodils—NYC’s official flowers—as a sure sign that springtime is arriving in NYC. Last year, daffodils were spotted in Bryant Park in the second week of March.
Hellebores aka Lenten Roses
Hellebores commonly blossom in the middle of winter. Although not really a sign of spring, it is a sign that spring is near! Hellebores are also called Lenten roses because their petals usually open up around the 40-day Lent which in 2024 starts on February 14. This year, Hellebores were spotted blooming in Central Park in late February, near the start of Lent.
Spring Forward: Daylight Saving Time
Time springs forward one hour on Sunday, March 10, 2024! We look forward to welcoming more daylight hours and later sunsets!
Red Maple Trees
Red maple trees are usually one of the first trees to bloom in NYC, usually around early March. Look for tiny red buds on the branches. Last year, buds were spotted on red maple trees in Randall’s Island in late March. Use the NYC Street Tree Map to find a red maple tree near you.
Cornelian Cherry
Cornelian cherry trees (actually part of the dogwood family) were early bloomers last year—we spotted them in Central Park in the last week of February. Their blossoms look like clouds of mustard, like these Cornelian cherry tree blooms at Prospect Park years back.
Magnolias
For many New Yorkers, it’s officially springtime in NYC when magnolia trees are in bloom. Last year, star magnolias (which usually have white or pink and white star-shaped flowers) were spotted at Brooklyn Botanic Garden in the last week of March, as were saucer magnolias in Washington Square Park. The saucer magnolia flowers are pink and much larger.
Glory-of-the-Snow flowers
At its peak, these pretty lavender-blue flowers blanket the woodland floors at Wave Hill, adding a magical experience to walk around the garden grounds. Our friends at Wave Hill reported sightings of glory-of-the-snow flowers blossoming last year in late March.
Cherry Trees
NYC’s cherry trees are the highlight of spring! The most commonly-spotted cherry tree species in NYC include kwanzan (pink and double-flowered), yoshino (tiny white flowers that smell like almonds), and okame (tiny deep pink flowers with a reddish-brown calyx that encloses the petals). Last year, cherry blossom sightings began in the first week of March when Okame trees were seen blossoming in Central Park. Yoshino trees came next, spotted in the first week of April along Central Park’s Bridle Path. NYC’s master arborist also confirmed the arrival of peak bloom for the most commonly-spotted cherry tree species in NYC (Okame, Yoshino, and Kwanzan) in the first week of April. Explore our list of the best parks to see cherry blossoms in NYC to find some near you!
Tulips
Tulip season usually peaks around late April to early May, adding pops of colors along our walkways. Last year, tulip season arrived in Carl Schurz Park in early April.
Callery Pears
Callery pear trees are one of the most common species of street trees in NYC. Their blossoms are clusters of tiny, snow-white flowers. We spotted Callery pears blossoming on streets across the city in the last week of March last year.
Eastern Redbud
Unlike all the other flowering plants, eastern redbud flowers grow directly from the branches (not from stems)! Their unique lavender-pink clusters of flower buds look like pom-poms on its branches. Last year, we spotted flowers on eastern redbuds in late April.
Alliums
As the trees leaf out and summer begins to arrive, so do alliums! These flowering onions look like pom-poms when in bloom. Randall’s Island Park has a beautiful display of alliums that we spotted in bloom at the start of June last year.
