Spring ephemerals

1 post published by Asia during April 2015

“The wonder of the world, the beauty and the power, the shapes of things, their colours, lights and shades—these I saw. Look ye also while life lasts.” —Anonymous lines found on an old tombstone in Cumberland, England "While life lasts." This can be a very brief moment in time for a spring ephemeral. In that narrow window that exists between thawing ground and the leafing out of the tree canopy, spring ephemerals—those woodland wildflowers that emerge, then quickly go dormant—live their…

It’s become a first rite of spring: after the eternity of a northern winter, I head to the woods to find the first sleeping beauties that awake from the forest floor. To chance upon the powder-soft buds of purple liverworts (Hepatica nobilis) fluttering their long white lashes into flower; or to marvel at the tightly-wrapped cones of bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) that unscroll their virgin-white blooms; or to wander through vast carpets of mottle-leafed trout lily (Erythronium…

Discover spring blooming perennials, including bluebells and bleeding heart, from the experts at HGTV Gardens.

Join a frequent GPOD contributor on their recent visit Darts Hill Garden Park to see the spring ephemerals and the alpine garden.

American and European wood anemones add beauty to the garden in early spring, and they're perfect for growing in areas with dappled shade. Read more now.

Many spring ephemerals--such as daffodils--dazzle the early season with their colorful flowers. But their benefit to the ecosystem extends beyond beauty. Learn about spring ephemerals and how they can benefit a permaculture garden.