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Questions and Answers: 2022

Question: Hello, This is a strange one but, is there a seed or plant that can stay dormant or not bloom …

• Question

  Hello, This is a strange one but, is there a seed or plant that can stay dormant or not bloom in a New England-ish zone 4/5 for years until the right conditions are met. Maybe something that should have been planted further south and would need an unseasonable warm spring to germinate or sprout, for example. It would have to be hardy seed or plant, I assume. Many thanks!

  Answer

  Dear Russell, there are many plants that have seeds that are capable of remaining dormant for decades until the correct conditions occur. The Rosaceae has many examples, including pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) and common blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis). I recall some of these seeds can remain dormant for a century until soil temperatures change (due to overstory removal by some event) and soil nitrogen increases. Best wishes.