Rhododendrons blooming in late October

Observation by Sarah Glass:

Rhododendrons usually form their buds before winter and bloom in spring. The rhododendron in my garden is now starting to bloom in late October. I researched this and it seems that it's not unheard of and may be related to higher temperatures in the daytime and colder temperatures at night. I'm wondering if this is related to climate shifts or if it is fairly common.

There are many varieties of azaleas and Rhododendrons that bloom in different times of the year, most typically during the spring. Most flower in June, but some between May and Mid-July. Early-Season Rhododendrons bloom anytime between December and March in mild climates. In colder climates, blooms may appear between April and May. With global warming backed by federal climate reports that Canada's climate is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, its no wonder plants and animals are responding with changing behavior. To see the report, navigate to the article through this link.