My witch hazel blooms on cue every January. I have often wondered what advantages there are for plants to flower in the winter. Does anyone have a botanical explanation?
The main advantage is lack of competition for pollinators. If you're the only blossom around, you'll probably be pretty popular.
Thanks, that makes sense. I guess I'm still adjusting to Vancouver gardening after 50 years in Winnipeg.
And (perhaps more importantly) fewer leaves around to trap pollen, so more of it goes where it is needed.
This thread wouldn't be complete without a look at an important advantage of being a winter pollinator: fewer predators and no insect-eating specialists such as swallows and flycatchers -- these birds can't afford to be around on those exceptionally cold days when all insects are inactive. -Tony
