Spring Color Tour: Apple Blossoms Back in Bloom
Dewitt, Mich – Michigan's state flower is back in bloom! The Apple Blossom, which was designated the state flower of Michigan more than 100 years ago, is filling Michigan's apple orchards the first week of May, right on schedule.
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Contact: Denise Yockey
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The Apple Blossom is known for its delicate petals as well as sweet aroma, and will appear through mid-May depending on the region of the state and the variety of apple.
Blossom color can vary according to the type of apple the tree produces but is most widely recognized as white with a pink tint. If you spot blooms of bright red or purple, it may be the occasional flowering crabapple, used to lure bees to various rows in the orchard.
Apple blossom driving tours can be a fun alternative to the autumn color tours, particularly in the Western part of the state. Consult MichiganApples.com for the location of farm markets with apples; while the markets may not be open, you can observe the pretty blooms.
As a member of the Rose Family the Apple Blossom's success has been partially due to its aesthetic beauty as well as its color and fragrance. For the apple grower, however, the Apple Blossom is the first step toward a successful autumn apple harvest. At this time of year, growers particularly worry about temperatures falling much below freezing during bloom, or a stretch of rainy days that prevent bees from pollinating.
The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to promotion, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption by consumers in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit www.MichiganApples.com.