Whether Weather Affects Magnolias

Philadelphia (CBS) - That cold snap a few weeks back had people worried that many magnolias would get frost bitten. Cold air can affect tree blossoms both ways; cooler weather like this year can extend the cherry blossoms' bloom so we enjoy them longer - whereas when we get an early heat spell, they often open and fade in just a few days.

But several magnolias - such as the pretty pink saucer variety, are quite sensitive. When we get a nippy night while their buds are opening, they can turn brown and drop right to the ground - the show's over before it began.

As it turned out, many of the magnolias bloomed beautifully after all - until the whipping winds of the weekend storm blew most of that beauty away. Which is just another reason to think about planting our native Magnolia virginiana instead, which smartly holds its sweet-smelling flower display until June - when frost is something we're more likely to dream of than to dread.

Reported By Phran Novelli, KYW Newsradio