Signs of Spring in NYC Parks

The first day of spring is Tuesday, March 19, 2024

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:

A checkmark will appear and the image will brighten when a sign of spring is discovered in 2024. This timeline is subject to change.

Snowdrops

As winter winds down, snowdrops emerge out of 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. This year, daffodils were spotted in Maria Hernandez 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. This year, we spotted flowers on red maple trees on NYC's streets 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) bloomed this year in mid-March we spotted them in J. Hood Wright Park. 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. This year, star magnolias (which usually have white or pink and white star-shaped flowers) were spotted at Central Park in the first week of April, as were saucer magnolias. 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). This year, cherry blossom sightings began in the second week of March when Okame trees were seen blossoming in Central Park. Yoshino trees were next, spotted blossoming in the first week of April in Central Park. The last of our NYC's commonly-seen cherry trees, Kwanzans, reached peak bloom in late 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. This year, tulip season arrived in Bryant Park in mid-April.

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. This year, we spotted flowers on eastern redbuds in late April.

Crabapple

Crabapple trees bloom single or double-digit white, pink, or purple clusters of sweet-smelling blossoms on the tree's gnarled, craggy branches. This year, our friends at Central Park spotted blossoming crabapple trees in late April.

Flowering Dogwood

These unique "flowers" (the petal-like structures are actually leaves) vary in color from white to pink to pale red. This year, dogwoods were "in bloom" in Highbridge Park by mid-April.

Azaleas

Azalea flowers were spotted in bloom at Fort Tryon Park in mid-May last year!

Alliums

As the trees leaf out and summer begins to arrive, so do alliums! These flowering onions look like pom-poms when in bloom. Our friends at the St. Vartan Park Conservancy spotted alliums in bloom in mid-May this year.