Pousser vs. bourgeonner
The French verbs 'pousser' and 'bourgeonner' both relate to growth in nature but are used in slightly different contexts. Understanding their nuances requires examining their definitions and seeing them in various sentences.
Pousser
'Pousser' is a versatile verb meaning 'to push' or 'to grow'. In the context of plants, it means to sprout, to shoot up, or generally to grow.
Les tulipes commencent à pousser au début du printemps.
(The tulips begin to grow in early spring.)
Si tu arroses bien ces graines, elles vont vite pousser.
(If you water these seeds well, they will grow quickly.)
Les mauvaises herbes poussent partout dans mon jardin.
(Weeds are growing all over my garden.)
Bourgeonner
'Bourgeonner' refers specifically to the development of buds on plants, as when leaves, flowers, or fruits begin to form from buds.
Au début du printemps, les arbres commencent à bourgeonner.
(In early spring, the trees begin to bud.)
Vous verrez que les boutons des rosiers vont bientôt bourgeonner.
(You will see that the rosebush buds will soon sprout.)
À mesure que les jours rallongent, on observe la vigne bourgeonner.
(As the days get longer, we observe the vine starting to bud.)
Summary
'Pousser' generally describes the growth process of vegetation, while 'bourgeonner' specifically notes the budding stage when new leaves, flowers, or fruit start forming. 'Pousser' can apply more broadly across various contexts beyond budding, including the overall growth from seedlings all the way up through mature plants.