21 Spring Ephemerals for Early Garden Color

Spring ephemerals bloom purple in a marsh — When you can't wait for new garden life and color another minute, you need to choose early-blooming plants like ephemerals.

Below are some of our favorite spring ephemerals. Many of these plants can be found at local garden centers, or you can order seeds, rootstock, or potted plants online from a wide range of plant nurseries. Websites that specialize in native plants, wildflowers, and medicinal herbs are usually some of the best sources for spring ephemerals.

1. Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

White flowering spring bloodroot plant in blossom — Bloodroot is one of the easier ephemerals to find.

Plant name:	Bloodroot
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	Moderate to low
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 8
Where to buy:	American Meadows

When it comes to spring ephemerals, one of the most famous and easiest to find is bloodroot. Bloodroot plants are often available for sale at local nurseries, especially if those nurseries specialize in native wildflowers. A very striking plant, bloodroot produces lobed leaves and delicate, white flowers, and it grows best in the shade.

Named for its dark red sap, bloodroot was first used as a dye by Native Americans, and it is still often used as a natural dye by crafters today. Just keep in mind that bloodroot sap can cause rashes or even burns to the skin, so it’s important to always wear gloves when handling this plant.

2. Celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)

Buttercup-like yellow flowers on Celandine poppies — This poppy like moisture and shady spots.

Plant name:	Celandine poppy
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 9
Where to buy:	American Meadows

Celandine poppies are like little rays of sunshine in the garden. Their bright yellow flowers look similar to buttercups, but the blooms appear earlier and are differently shaped. One of the easiest ephemerals to grow, celandine poppies prefer moist soil and at least partial shade.

Some ephemerals can be very difficult to start from seed, but not celandine poppy. Celandine poppy is a great choice for beginners, and it also readily self-sows. Like bloodroot, celandine poppies were also used by Native Americans to produce natural dyes.

3. Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)

March marigolds bloom yellow against a running water feature — Marsh marigolds are a good choice for a wet area or water garden.

Plant name:	Marsh marigold
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	High; can be planted in up to 6” of water
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 7
Where to buy:	Amazon

Marsh marigolds look a bit like celandine poppies, but these water-loving plants are mostly found in boggy areas. Because they grow best in moist soil, marsh marigolds are suitable for water gardens and for framing backyard ponds. In fact, they can be sown in up to 6” of water!

After planting, marsh marigolds are very easy to keep, and they don’t require a lot of maintenance. Just monitor your plants to make sure they don’t get too dry, and provide them with a bit of extra shade if you live in a very warm location.

4. Trout lily (Erythronium americanum)

Speckled marsh lilies prefer not to have too much fertilizer — Trout lilies bloom best when they are a bit nutrient-deprived.

Plant name:	Trout lily
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 9
Where to buy:	American Meadows

Trout lilies have very distinct yellow blooms with fine petals that arch backward toward the plant’s stems. These open blooms create lovely texture in garden beds and also make it easy for pollinators to access the plant’s nectar and pollen.

Sometimes gardeners will struggle to get trout lilies to flower, but this is usually due to soil that is too rich in nutrients. To avoid this, cut back on fertilizer and rake away extra leaf litter to keep it from breaking down in your garden beds. Additionally, since trout lilies don’t like having their roots disturbed, it’s best to avoid moving them once they’ve arrived in your garden.

5. Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla spp.)

Pasqueflower looks almost painted with its light fuzz — The fuzz on Pasqueflower gives it a unique and ethereal quality.

Plant name:	Pasqueflower
Light requirements:	Full sun
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 4 o 8
Where to buy:	Amazon

‘Pasque’ means ‘Easter’ in old French, which refers to the bloom time of this charming ephemeral. Pasqueflowers generally emerge in early spring, around the same time crocuses will be popping up in your beds. However, these unique-looking plants feature pointed, purple petals and fuzzy leaves that add a touch of whimsy to spring gardens.

Pasqueflowers are a favorite of bees, especially since they bloom before many other flowers. Well-draining soil is critical for keeping pasqueflowers happy, as they can be prone to root rot in soggy areas. If you want to try out these ephemerals, it’s easiest to grow pasqueflowers from started plants because seeds can be tricky to germinate.

6. Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

Light purple-blue bell-shaped flowers on Virginia bluebells — Virginia bluebells are the tallest of the spring ephemerals and make nice garden centerpieces.

Plant name:	Virginia bluebells
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 8
Where to buy:	American Meadows

Virginia bluebells are taller than many other ephemerals and usually max out at around 2’ feet tall. That makes them good choices for the center of garden beds, but they can be grown in containers too. Bluebells are also ideal for beginners, and they readily self-sow.

Virginia bluebells are related to borage, and, like borage, they have pink and blue flowers. These plants look best when sown in clumps of at least 3 plants, which will also make it easier for pollinators to find them. Once the blooms and leaves of these ephemerals fade back into the soil, freshen up your beds with a thin layer of mulch spread over your plants.

7. Trillium (Trillium spp.)

A perfectly balanced red-pink trillium flower — Trillium is a commitment, but its reward is worth the wait.

Plant name:	Trillium
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	Moderate to low
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 9
Where to buy:	American Meadows

Trillium is named for its flowers, which have three large and well-formed petals. Flowers come in a range of colors, but white and purplish-red are the most common. Often found in colonies in wooded areas, trillium prefer shady spots and rich, well-draining soil.

If you want to keep trillium, you’ll need to be patient because these slow-growing plants can take up to 7 years to flower. It’s also important to know your supplier since wild trillium plants are often overharvested, and this can compromise the plants and damage the ecosystem around them. Instead, look for cultivated trillium varieties, and don’t add much fertilizer to your plants because they don’t need it!

8. Yellow fritillary (Fritillaria pudica)

A delicately nodding hardy yellow fritillary flower — Yellow fritillary can be a demanding flower, but is much loved by bees in early spring.

Plant name:	Yellow fritillary
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 7
Where to buy:	Amazon

Yellow fritillaries are hardy ephemerals that can even push their way through the snow in early spring. That said, they can be rather difficult to grow unless you can achieve growing conditions that are similar to their native grasslands.

Preferring sunny locations, yellow fritillaries need rich, well-draining soil. If your soil is subpar, you may want to amend it with compost and sand or perlite. Fritillary flowers come in yellow and orange and are a hit with pollinators.

9. Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

Mayapple, also known as the American Mandrake — Mayapples have one of the longest bloom times of the spring ephemerals.

Plant name:	Mayapple
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	High to moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 8
Where to buy:	American Meadows

Also known as the American mandrake, mayapples are iconic plants with umbrella-like, lobed leaves and attractive white flowers that are alluring in their delicacy. A long-lived perennial, mayapples are also considered to be spring ephemerals; however, they have a longer growing season than many of the other plants on this list. In fact, in moist and shaded areas, mayapples may not die back until late summer, but they fade earlier in hotter climates.

While they are slow-growing plants, mayapples are spread by seeds and rhizomes, and they form colonies. Since mayapples can grow densely together, they make attractive groundcovers. They can also be planted in wooded lots or under trees in shadier areas.

10. Sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis)

Purple Sundial lupines, a cottage favorite — Sundial lupines bloom later than many spring ephemerals, making them a good choice for contnuous garden flowers.

Plant name:	Sundial lupine
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Low
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 8
Where to buy:	Botanical Interests; Wild Seed Project

Sometimes categorized as a “summer ephemeral,” sundial lupines flower later than many other ephemerals, but they die back by mid-summer. Lovely, lavender-hued flowers appear on tall spikes and make a colorful display when planted in large groups. Flowers are further complemented by lupines’ whorled leaves, which add texture and color to garden beds.

While there’s no doubt that lupines are attractive plants, they are more than just ornamentals. Lupines are also members of the legume family, and they fix nitrogen in the soil, improving it over time. Rich in nectar, lupines will lure butterflies and hummingbirds to your landscape too!

11. Squirrel corn (Dicentra canadensis)

Squirrel corn gets its name from its corn-like tuberous roots — This oddly-named ephemeral gets its name from its root.

Plant name:	Squirrel corn
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	High
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 7
Where to buy:	Carnivorous Plant Nursery

Squirrel corn may have a funny name, but it is a lovely spring ephemeral that will liven up your gardens and put a smile on your face too! This plant got its name from its root system, which features yellow tubers that look a bit like corn. Those tubers are also a popular treat for squirrels, so you may want to keep roots enclosed in a protective bulb cage or loosely wrapped in chicken wire.

Squirrel corn is a close relative of bleeding hearts, but it stays much smaller and rarely reaches above 12” high. Like bleeding hearts, squirrel corn has lacy, fern-like leaves and heart-shaped blooms. Flowers are usually pale, pinkish-white, but they may also have a lavender cast.

12. Hepatica (Hepatica spp.)

Hepatica grows naturally where hickories and maple grow — In nature, look for hepatica where hickory and maple trees grow.

Plant name:	Hepatica
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	High
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 8
Where to buy:	American Meadows

Native to eastern North America, hepatica grows naturally in hickory or maple forests. This plant emerges cheerfully from the leaf-strewn woodland floor in early spring and can bloom pretty, purple flowers in March and April. Hepatica is a delicate plant that can be weighed down by heavy rain, so planting it in a sheltered area with partial shade is often best.

Hepatica has distinct lobed leaves that are said to resemble a liver. This is part of the reason why hepatica was once used as a folk remedy for liver ailments. Today, it is mostly kept as an ornamental, and it can look particularly eye-catching when paired with other ephemerals, like trillium and rue anemone.

13. Wild hyacinth (Camassia scilloides)

Plant name:	Wild hyacinth
Light requirements:	Full sun to part shade
Water requirements:	Low
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 8
Where to buy:	Holland Bulb Farms

Considered by many to be one of the most bewitching ephemerals, wild hyacinth produces tall spikes of pale blue to white flowers. Blooms are rich in nectar and pollen and make a wonderful addition to pollinator gardens. Wild hyacinth was eaten by Native American tribes; however, as it has some deadly lookalikes, it’s best not to try foraging this plant without an expert guide.

Wild hyacinth prefers slightly acidic soils and full sun, but it can grow in part shade too. Plants are generally started as bulbs. Those bulbs will eventually reproduce via offsets, which can be separated from the parent plant and sown elsewhere.

14. Ramps (Allium tricoccum)

Wild ramps can be cultivated at home to save wild patches from overharvesting — Ramps are a culinary favorite, but take care not to overharvest wild patches or they'll die out.

Plant name:	Ramps
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	High
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 7
Where to buy:	Amazon

A close relative of onions and garlic, ramps are often foraged as a wild edible, but you can grow them in your backyard too! These scrumptious plants have a flavor that is a blend of onion and garlic and tastes delicious in homemade pesto!

As an ephemeral, ramps emerge from the soil in early spring and usually die back by mid-May. When growing these plants at home, try to imitate their natural environment as much as possible. In the wild, ramps grow under deciduous trees where the soil is moist and rich, and the sunlight is dappled.

15. Rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)

Pink spring Rue anemone — Rue anemone is a small but mighty plant.

Plant name:	Rue anemone
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 8
Where to buy:	Prairie Moon Nursery

Rue anemone are short but stately plants with airy foliage and bright flowers in pale pink or white. Once established, these plants are very easygoing, but like many other ephemerals, they are slow growers.

Once mature, rue anemone rarely grows above 6”, but they make an impressive impact when planted together in drifts. These flowers also pair beautifully with other ephemerals if you’d prefer a mixed garden bed with more variety.

16. Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

Uniquely shaped Jack in the pulpit plant — Looking for something unique? Jack in the pulpit is your plant!

Plant name:	Jack-in-the-pulpit
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	High
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 9
Where to buy:	American Meadows

For something a bit different, you may want to try out jack-in-the-pulpit. Always a favorite among children, this curious little plant is a wonderful addition to fairy gardens, and it can complement other native plants, like foxglove, beautifully.

Jack-in-the-pulpit has a chalice-shaped form, which resembles pitcher plants and other carnivorous specimens. However, this ephemeral is not a carnivorous plant, although its shape is meant to attract insects for pollination purposes. When mature, jack-in-the-pulpit grows 1 to 2’ tall, and it blooms from April to June.

17. Dogtooth violet (Erythronium dens-canis)

Dogtooth violet is named for its odd root shape — This is another ephemeral named for its odd roots.

Plant name:	Dogtooth violet
Light requirements:	Part shade
Water requirements:	High
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 8
Where to buy:	Breck’s

Named for its oddly shaped root, which resembles a dog’s tooth, dogtooth violets are not related to common violets, although they do produce showy purple flowers. Those flowers open up during the day and close in the evening for an interesting garden display.

Dogtooth violets love lots of water, and they should never be allowed to fully dry out. Unlike many other ephemerals, they need to be watered during their dormant period, too; however, you don’t want to overdo it. Too much water can create soggy conditions that lead to root rot, so finding the proper moisture balance is key.

18. Shooting star (Primula sect. Dodecatheon)

Shooting start plants, short-lived perennials that self seed — Shooting stars are usually short-lived perennials, but they frequently self seed and stay going.

Plant name:	Shooting star
Light requirements:	Part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 8
Where to buy:	American Meadows

Named for its pale purple, star-like flowers, shooting star blooms are angled and finely made and look very prim in garden beds. A short-lived perennial, shooting star may need to be replanted every few years; however, it often self-sows, so this is rarely necessary.

During the growing season, the shooting star should be provided with plenty of water, but its soil should be kept drier during its dormancy period. For better growth, add an annual application of compost to your garden beds to replenish the soil nutrients that your shooting stars crave.

19. Spring beauty (Claytonia virginica)

Delicate and attractive spring beauty, a subtle spring ephemeral — Subtle is the word to describe the Spring beauty's flower.

Plant name:	Spring beauty
Light requirements:	Part shade
Water requirements:	Moderate to low
Growing zone:	Zones 5 to 9
Where to buy:	Native Wildflowers Nursery

Lupines and hyacinths are the sort of ephemerals that can really ‘wow’ garden visitors, but if you prefer a more subtle and natural look, spring beauty can be the perfect solution. These low-growing plants max out at around 2 to 16” tall and have grass-like leaves and small, rounded flowers that look a bit like strawberry blooms.

Often sold as bulbs, spring beauty should be sown in autumn to make sure your plants have plenty of time to settle in before the growing season. When sowing your spring beauties, plant bulbs about 3” deep and add an annual application of compost to keep your plants looking their best.

20. Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Dutchman's breeches, a relative of bleeding heart plants — Dutchman's breeches are a relative of bleeding hearts.

Plant name:	Dutchman’s breeches
Light requirements:	Shade
Water requirements:	Moderate
Growing zone:	Zones 3 to 7
Where to buy:	American Meadows

Another relative of bleeding hearts, dutchman’s breeches have intriguingly shaped, white flowers that bloom on the underside of long and arching stems. While those flowers aren’t heart-shaped, you can clearly see the resemblance to bleeding hearts. And, like other members of this plant family, dutchman’s breeches has lacy leaves that lend a delicate feel to garden designs.

Once established, dutchman’s breeches is a low-maintenance plant, and it should come back year after year with little fuss. Just avoid overwatering it because it does not tolerate wet soil well.

21. Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva)

Bitterroot has a long taproot to access deep water — With its long taproot, bitterroot is quite drought tolerant.

Plant name:	Bitterroot
Light requirements:	Part shade
Water requirements:	Low
Growing zone:	Zones 4 to 8
Where to buy:	Strictly Medicinal Seeds

Native to the western United States, bitterroot is a low-growing plant that produces dainty pink or white blooms. Bitterroot is named after its long tap root, which bores into the soil and can reach water that is inaccessible to other plants. This makes bitterroot quite tolerant to drought, although it does prefer a bit of extra water when it’s in bloom.

As you might expect, bitterroot’s root is very bitter, but it was an important food source for Native Americans and was often served with cooked grouse. In the garden, bitterroot grows best in well-draining (and even rocky) soil.

Planting spring ephemerals

A mixed planting of spring ephemerals with tulips — Fall is the best time to plant spring ephemerals, but early spring is an option, too.

Spring ephemerals can be planted in either fall or spring. Fall sowing gives your plants more time to get established and develop a strong root system before the growing season ahead. Plants can also be sown when soil is first workable in early spring, but these plants may not bloom the first year if they are planted too late.

Different spring ephemerals will have different growing needs, so it’s a good idea to do a bit of research on the plant type you want to grow. Since many of these plants are native to woodlands, they’ll generally grow best in rich, moist soil and in areas of part shade. Some ephemerals will also grow in full sun, but you should avoid sowing them on the north side of your property as too much shade may slow down their growth.

When the heat begins to rise in spring, spring ephemerals will die back above ground, although their roots will continue to grow. While plants will return year after year, you’ll probably want to sow your ephemerals with later blooming specimens or foliage plants to maintain color in your beds after your ephemerals fade. Ferns, wild ginger, phlox, and bleeding hearts are all fine companions for ephemerals as they are easy-to-grow plants, and they can fill in your garden beds later in the season.

Conscious gardening

It is important o source ephemerals responsibly — Buy ephemerals from conscientious growers to prevent overharvesting of wild plants.

When it comes to gardening, it’s always important to know your supplier and to only purchase plants from reliable growers. This is especially important when working with native plants, as irresponsible harvesting of natives can devastate ecosystems and even endanger sensitive species.

Try to purchase native plants from growers who cultivate their own stock and don’t harvest directly from nature. Spring ephemerals, like trilliums, can take many years to establish themselves in the forest, and entire colonies can be wiped out by reckless harvesting.

Most native ephemerals can be grown from seed or rootstock that can be ordered online. You can also find many of these species at plant nurseries that specialize in native perennials. We’ve recommended some suppliers in this guide, but you can find additional growers with a bit of research.

Summary

Early spring ephemerals are the first signs of new garden life in the spring — Spring ephemerals bring hope and new life to the garden.

After a long cold winter, most gardeners can’t wait until spring arrives and they can start working their gardens again. When that first robin returns to your yard or crocuses begin to bloom, it’s easy to get excited. But if you want even more to look forward to in your spring garden, you may want to grow some native ephemerals.

These plants may not have the bold look of tulips or the flashy colors of hyacinths, but they add something different to garden beds. These delicate plants are much beloved by pollinators, and since they are often natives, they are more readily adaptable to your local growing conditions. Not to mention, they are darling plants with tons of charm too!

Since ephemerals don’t last long, they encourage us to get out in our gardens and appreciate nature in all its springtime glory. Once ephemerals fade, fall-planted bulbs are soon to emerge, signally that spring has finally sprung!