Blooming of common lilacs is a common phenological indicator.

Blooming of common lilacs is a common phenological indicator.

Karen Delahaut, UW-Madison Fresh Market Vegetable Program
Revised:  5/17/2012
Item number:  XHT1085

The word phenology is derived from the Greek word phaino meaning “to show” or “to appear”.  Phenology is a branch of science that studies the relationships between periodic biological events—usually the life cycles of plants and animals—and environmental changes.  Natural events such as bird migration, the opening of local lakes, plant budding, flowering or fruiting, insect activities, and harvest dates of cultivated plants are all annual events that can be correlated with seasonal or climatic changes, particularly with weather or temperature, rather than specific calendar dates.  You may be familiar with folklore that associates gardening events with unrelated processes.  One example is planting corn when oak leaves are the size of a squirrel’s ear.  You know that planting corn has nothing to do with oak leaves or squirrels.  However, Native Americans made the observation centuries ago that the soil was warm enough to prevent seeds from rotting, yet it was still early enough to reap a suitable harvest if corn was planted at this time.  This is an early example of phenology.  But phenology can trace its origin much further back in history.

The first paper on phenology was written in 974 B.C. – long before meteorology, botany, and ornithology, the key components of phenology, were born.  The Japanese began recording the first bloom of the cherry trees in 812 A.D., and Carl Linnaeus was one of the first scientists to record observations of natural phenomena.  Locally, Aldo Leopold was one of the early phenologists in Wisconsin.  He kept extensive records of natural seasonal events near his home in Sauk County from 1935-1945.

When observing phenological events on a large scale, the same event—such as lilacs blooming—progresses from west to east and south to north.  This phenomenon is referred to as “Hopkin’s Rule” which states that phenological events are delayed by four days per degree of north latitude and 1¼ days per degree of east longitude.  Basically, the farther north or east you go, the later you’ll see similar events.  Hopkin’s rule however, doesn’t take into account altitude or topography – the latter being important in a state that is bordered on the east by Lake Michigan, which exerts a tremendous impact on the local climate.

By observing the relationship between discrete phenological events and the season, local weather conditions, or climate changes over a period of years, seemingly unrelated events can be correlated.  You can do this yourself by keeping accurate records of dates when different plants bloom, when their leaves open, and when you first notice various insect pests.  Make sure the plants you’re observing aren’t affected by the radiant heat of buildings or paved areas.  After several years of consistently collecting information you will be able to notice a pattern and can begin to correlate unrelated events such as when a particular
insect begins to cause damage.  It will also become obvious that these annual events do not occur on the same date every year, but change depending on the weather.

Phenological records need to be gathered over many years in order to develop reliable correlations.  This information can be used to help determine crop planting dates, or predict when insect emergence will take place and pest control should be initiated.  Many such correlations are based on the blooming time of common flowering plants.

Examples of phenological correlations include:
• Plant peas when forsythia blooms.
• Plant potatoes when the first dandelion blooms.
• Plant beets, carrots, cole crops, lettuce and spinach when lilac is in first leaf.
• Plant corn when oak leaves are the size of a squirrel’s ear.
• Plant bean, cucumber, and squash seeds when lilac is in full bloom.
• Plant tomatoes when lily-of-the-valley plants are in full bloom.
• Transplant eggplant, melons, and peppers when irises bloom.

Phenology can be very useful as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program because it helps to properly time controls to target the most susceptible life stage of the pest.  Insects are particularly well suited to predictions based on phenology because, as cold-blooded animals, their growth and development is directly correlated with weather conditions, particularly temperature.  Indicator plants, common plants that are typically not associated with the pest insect whose life stage they predict, can be used to determine when pest outbreaks are likely to occur:
• The saucer magnolia is a common indicator plant for early spring events.  Pink bud, early bloom, full bloom, past bloom, and petal drop are some of the discrete events of the saucer magnolia that can be associated with an array of landscape insect pests.
• The common lilac has become a cornerstone for phenological observations, particularly for comparing one year to the next.  First leaf, first flower, and full bloom are three life events frequently observed with the common lilac.  There is also a common lilac observation program in the eastern United States and Canada that is used by climatologists to study global warming.
• Chicory is a summer-blooming indicator plant.  When the first flowers of chicory open, the time is right to prevent damage from the squash vine borer.
• And when Canada thistle is in bloom, apple maggot adults are abundant and susceptible fruit should be protected.


University of Wisconsin-Madison