Spring in Wisconsin doesn’t arrive all at once, it unfolds in layers.

One day brings sunshine and soft soil. The next, a reminder that winter isn’t quite finished. But even when temperatures fluctuate or torrential April downpours are becoming the norm, the Garden is already changing. Small signs of the season are beginning to appear, and each week brings something new.

If you’re wondering whether it’s “too early” to visit, it’s not. Spring is already underway… just in quieter, more subtle ways.

Here’s what to look for right now.

Early Bloom Watch: The First Signs of Color

Some of the most important blooms of the season are also the smallest. Early spring flowers emerge in cool soil and unpredictable weather, offering the first bursts of color after winter.

Depending on timing, you may spot:

• Snowdrops
• Crocus
• Early daffodils
• Hellebores
• Hyacinths

These early bloomers do more than brighten the landscape. They provide critical early-season nectar for pollinators just beginning to emerge. After months with limited food sources, these flowers help support bees and other beneficial insects as the growing season begins.

You can follow along with what’s currently blooming by checking the Garden’s What’s in Bloom web page before your visit, or follow along on Facebook or Instagram for updates. Spring changes quickly, and new plants appear every single week!

Woodland Ephemerals: Spring’s Short-Lived Stars

Some of spring’s most special plants appear briefly and then disappear just as fast.

Woodland ephemerals bloom before the tree canopy fills in, taking advantage of early sunlight reaching the forest floor. Once trees leaf out and shade increases, these plants complete their life cycle and retreat underground until next year.

Look for:

• Trillium
• Bloodroot
• Marsh marigold
• Jack in the pulpit
• Dutchman’s breeches

These flowers are delicate and short-lived, which makes them especially meaningful to see in person. Their brief window is part of what makes early spring visits so unique.

Trees Are Waking Up

Before leaves fully appear, trees offer their own quiet signs of spring. Buds begin to swell, and branches take on a soft haze of green. Some of the early flowering trees add subtle color to the landscape.

There’s a brief moment in spring when the canopy hasn’t fully filled in, but the trees seem to glow. Light filters through branches, and the structure of the landscape becomes more visible.

These early changes happen quickly, and they shift from week to week. Returning visits often reveal something new each time.

Wildlife Is Returning

Spring isn’t just about plants. As temperatures warm, wildlife activity increases throughout the Garden.

You may notice:

• More birdsong in the morning
• Robins and other returning songbirds
• Early pollinators beginning to move, think bee on tiny flowers
• Increased movement in trees and shrubs

These signs bring energy back to the landscape. Even when blooms are just beginning, the Garden feels more alive with sound and motion.

What a Spring Visit Feels Like

Early spring offers something different from peak bloom. The pace is slower, and the path are quiet. Subtle changes are appear all around you.

It’s a time for:

• Fresh air after winter
• Gentle walks and observation
• Watching the landscape shift week by week
• Noticing small details that are easy to miss later in the season

Many guests find this one of the most peaceful times to visit.

A Season to Share

As the season unfolds, it’s also a natural time to share the Garden with others. Spring visits often become traditions: meeting for a walk, introducing someone new to the Garden, celebrating the return of warmer days together, and appreciating the change in energy.

With Mother’s Day approaching, this is also a meaningful time to plan a shared experience. Whether it’s attending Moms & Mimosas on May 10, giving a Garden membership to someone who could use a bright spring, or simply enjoying a visit together, this time of year offers a chance to reconnect outdoors.

🌱 Come See What’s Just Beginning

Spring doesn’t arrive all at once in Wisconsin, it reveals itself gradually. What you see today will look different next week, and that’s part of the experience!

From early blooms to emerging leaves and returning wildlife, the Garden is waking up.