Spring Ephemerals

Iris cristata
Dwarf Crested Iris, Blue

Shady native well-drained woodland garden; drought-tolerant.

4-6” in height

Small rhizomes quickly spread to form impressive colonies.

Bishop's Hat, Barrenwort

Epimedium

Long-lived low-growing ground cover on slopes or under trees. Well-drained, somewhat moist garden soil in open shade, with some morning sun. 

Flowers sometimes bloom before plants leaf out. In spring, remove old foliage to show off new flowers. Heart-shaped leaves green, purple, or with red or purple flushes or veining

Attract bees but not deer

Native throughout eastern half of the US in shady deciduous forests. 

Brownish-purple, bell-shaped flower lies on the ground.and attracts small pollinating flies.

Native Americans used the ground root as a spice. Early settlers candied the root and boiled down the syrup for pancakes. Scientists now believe the plants may contain poisonous compounds. 

Poultice to treat wounds, as it contains two antibiotic compounds. 

Shade garden colony will grow several inches in all directions each year. Alternate host plant for Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. 

Lenten Rose, Pink/Green

Evergreen, 15- to 18-inch tall groundcover with leathery, dark-green, shiny, coarse-textured, dissected foliage. 

3- to 4-inch nodding, cup-shaped flowers in very early spring. Petals of the Lenten rose are actually sepals, and do not drop readily as with other flowers, but last for a couple of months. 

Long-lived and rarely need dividing. Can be fertilized with a slow-release fertilizer when new foliage begins to appear in late winter. 

Like very dry conditions, are naturally deer and rabbit repellent, have very few insect pests or disease problems, and require little care.