We’ve almost forgotten the smell of wet earth, grass in the rain, tree bark, and sun-warmed terracotta window boxes. If Montreal’s winter had a scent, it would be more like ice, exhaust fumes, strong tobacco, and humidity. It’s different.
And Quebec explodes in spring with a thousand different colors—and very quickly, when the ground thaws and softens, we’ll see crocuses and snowdrops. For flowers—real flowers like in the movies—we’ll have to wait until the end of April.
Spring bloom calendar 2026
April 2026
The first flowers to emerge from flower beds and cracks in Montreal sidewalks are crocuses and snowdrops. This year, the first crocuses emerged from the ground on February 13, 2026—very early compared to their average flowering date, which is usually at the end of the month.
Until the second half of April, the ice that petrified the ground melts slowly, and we have to be a little patient. At that point, the bulb flowers come out of the ground. We’ll be able to see:
- Daffodils( Narcissus in Latin)
- Tulips or Tulipa in Latin
We’re talking about early tulips here, the first to bloom in Quebec. They bloom throughout May and until early June.
The originof the name tulip is unclear, but one possible explanation is that it comes from the Turkish word for “turban” because it was fashionable to wear these flowers on one’s turban in the Ottoman Empire. Tulips are traditionally given to mothers on Mother’s Day, which is Sunday, May 10 this year (also worth noting in your calendar).
There are around 120 varieties of tulips, and they come in several colors, from white to yellow, pink to mauve, and orange to red.
At the end of April, the small flowers native to Quebec also emerge from the ground. We will be able to see:
- Forget-me-nots (Myosotis Sylvatica)
- Primroses (Primula Eliator)
- Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
- Crocus (Crocus sativus) —even more!
May 2026
In May, there is a dramatic blossoming of flowering trees. You’ll have to look up to see it.
- Japanese cherry trees (Prunus Serrulata)
- Magnolias (Magnolia Grandiflora)
- Amelanchier (Amelanchier Canadensis)
- Crabapples (Malus Baccata)
June 2026
In June, perennials emerge from the ground along with vegetables and herbs. This is the month when Montreal smells its best, and a month of anticipation for those who planted their flower beds in the fall and have been waiting to see their zucchini plants sprout. We’ll see.
- Clematis
- Irises (Iris Reticulata)
- Lilacs (Syringa)
- Peonies (Paeonia)
- Vegetables and Herbs
And summer officially begins on June 21 with the Summer Solstice…