Spring ephemerals

1011 N. Woodlawn

Kirkwood, Missouri

63122

314-965-3070

MailSCG@aol.com

If you have a woodland garden, or a spot in your yard with moist, rich soil, then you have room for some spring ephemerals.  These early-blooming native flowers are hard to find but worth the effort because of their dainty, colorful blooms.  And as the name implies, they last only for a short time -- a handful of weeks -- so their beauty is fleeting and even that much more rewarding.

Here's a list of some of our favorites:

• Ariseama, Jack in the Pulpit

• Celandine poppy, Wood Poppy

• Dicentra cucullaria, Dutchman's Breeches

• Dodecatheon, Shooting Stars

• Erythronium americanum, Trout Lily

• Mertensia virginica, Virginia Bluebells

• Podophyllum peltatum, Mayapple

• Sanguinaria canadensis, Bloodroot

• Trillium, Wakerobin

• Uvularia, Merrybells

• Viola pedata, Bird's Foot Violet

Virginia Bluebells, one of our favorites, have been called "not a plant at all, but delicate clumps of sky, thinly disguised."  Most ephemerals tantalize with blooms then go dormant for the rest of the season.

If you're preparing to plant some, first amend your soil with four to six inches of compost.  The soil should be moist but well-drained.  In subsequent years, mulch the area with more organic material before the plants are set to bloom.  Don't plant in a rigid or set pattern, but sprinkle them randomly as you might find in nature. 

You might even find that over the summer you've forgotten where you've planted them, which will make for a wonderful surprise the following spring.

Virginia Bluebells

Bird's Foot Violet

Celandine Poppy

Trillium

Shooting Star

Mayapple

Merrybells