Get your garden growing this spring by adding spring ephemeral plants. Learn how to grow bloodroot, mayapple, trillium and more.
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Bloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensis, Zones 3 to 8
Bloodroot blooms as a carpet of daisy-like white flowers. Blooms last a day or two with petals falling off after the flower has been pollinated, but those of some double-flowered varieties last longer. The unique 6-inch-wide leaves remain until early summer before becoming dormant.
Why we love it: Bloodroot is one of the earliest ephemerals to bloom, supporting bees, ants and moths.
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Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica, Zones 3 to 9
In late spring, colonies of Virginia bluebells bloom terminal clusters of flowers above the green foliage for about three weeks. Clusters comprise dark pink buds that look like deflated balloons, and long blue tubular flowers with a sweet fragrance. It can readily self-seed in the right conditions.
Why we love it: These spring ephemeral plants are easy to grow as well as deer and rabbit resistant. In addition, this perennial provides the longest show of the ephemerals.
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Dutchman’s Breeches
Dicentra cucullaria, Zones 3 to 7
In early spring, rows of inch-long white or pale pink blossoms hang from thin flower stalks above delicate fern-like foliage. Cousin to the pink flowering bleeding heart, each flower looks like a Dutch man’s balloon-shaped pants, hanging upside down.
Why we love it: This spring ephemeral plant’s white blossoms light up the forest floor for several weeks and can be an interesting addition to a moist, shady home garden.
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Spring Beauty
Claytonia virginica, Zones 3 to 8
Dainty spring beauty is only 6 to 10 inches with narrow grass-like foliage. The inch-wide flowers have white petals intricately streaked with pink to guide early pollinators to the nectar source.
Why we love it: This plant can grow in rock gardens or in moist, well-draining areas high in organic matter, or be naturalized in meadows or lawns.
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Yellow Trout Lily
Erythronium americanum, Zones 3 to 8
About 6 inches tall, each yellow trout lily plant has one pair of maroon mottled leaves that resemble its namesake trout, and one blossom. Flowers have a lily appearance with brown stamens protruding from yellow, reflexed petals.
Why we love it: The yellow flowers are supported by a single sturdy stem, which can be cut and put in a bud vase for indoor cheer.
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Twinleaf
Jeffersonia diphylla, Zones 4 to 9
Twinleaf blooms one small white daisy-shaped flower but the foliage is large, up to 6 inches. The leaves are deeply lobed and look like angel’s wings.
Why we love it: Twinleaf has a simple flower but a rich legacy. Naturalist and botanist William Bartram named it in honor of his friend, Thomas Jefferson, who grew twinleaf in his gardens at Monticello.
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Jack-in-the-pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum, Zones 4 to 9
About 1 to 2 feet with trifoliate leaves, this plant blooms green or green-and-maroon flowers that are made of a hood, or the pulpit, covering the spadix, which is the Jack. In late summer, this turns into a bunch of red berries that birds and animals eat.
Why we love it: Easy to grow in a shady area, this deer-resistant perennial can create very long-lasting colonies that support local wildlife.
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Trillium
Trillium spp., Zones 3 to 8
Both the foliage and flower parts of trillium are in threes, as hinted at in the name. The leaves are actually bracts that are part of the flower. Only buy these spring ephemeral plants from reputable sellers as they are sometimes poached from the wild and sold illegally.
Why we love it: Depending on the type, blooms are red, white, yellow or pink. Bracts are solid green or mottled.
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Shooting Star
Primula meadia, formerly Dodecatheon meadia, Zones 4 to 8
Shooting star’s unique flowers consist of reflexed petals and clusters of stamens converging to points as if the plant is shooting down to the ground. Flowers are purple, pink or white.
Why we love it: These spring ephemeral plants can be grown in rock gardens and are more sun tolerant than others on the list.
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Mayapple
Podophyllum peltatum, Zones 3 to 8
The most conspicuous part of mayapples is the carpet of horizontal umbrella-like foliage on the forest floor. The waxy white flowers bloom underneath the leaves and turn to fruit if pollinated.
Why we love it: The flowers support bees, butterflies and moths, and if the box turtles don’t eat them first, the edible fruits can be used to make jam.
Spring Ephemeral Growing Tips
- Deciduous forests are the natural habitat of native spring ephemerals, so plant these in partial shade and moist, well-draining soil that is high in organic matter. Give them room to spread, and they’ll create swaths of blooms.
- There is no need to deadhead blossoms.
- Native plants are becoming increasingly popular, but some types are still hard to find. Contact a local native plant society or Wild Ones chapter to help you find a reliable nursery nearby that offers spring ephemeral plants native to your region.
- Leave the leaves, and fertilizers are not necessary. The decomposed leaves provide nutrients.
- Plant other shade-loving plants to fill in the summer gap when these go dormant.
