Native Spring Ephemerals: A Beautiful Source of Early Nectar for Pollinators

Heartwood Team

Many people equate the arrival of spring with the appearance of non-native daffodils, tulips, and crocuses. These early bloomers are called spring ephemerals. They thrive in the gentle sunlight that filters through the bare branches of trees and shrubs in late winter and early spring. Once they bloom and produce seeds, these early emergers die back, leaving no trace before hot summer temperatures begin.

Did you know there are native spring ephemerals? Skunk Cabbage, Trout Lily, Mayapple, Dutchman's Breeches, and Virginia Bluebells may all be found growing naturally in our local woodland areas. These native spring ephemerals are every bit as cheerful a sight as nonnative ones. The important difference: Native spring ephemerals are pollinated by native bees, flies, wasps, and ants, who find them a crucial source of early nectar.

Virginia Bluebells at Heartwood Nursery

Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica) is one of our favorites. It grows along stream beds and in moist woodlands, preferring rich soil and leaf litter. Virginia Bluebells can bloom as early as March and into April, flowering in pretty shades of light blue, purple, and pink. Deer proof, they spread well once established through seed, and can quickly cover the ground in a shady area.

After they bloom, it's crucial to let Virginia Bluebell foliage die back naturally and disappear into the early summer soil on its own. The dense foliage adds a small amount of nutrients to the soil and provides cover for beneficial insects.

It's best to plant Virginia Bluebells in very early spring or late in the fall. Adding organic matter such as leaf compost to the soil can help them establish more easily.

Interestingly, Bluebells can be a hardy reclamation species in areas where the soil in the understory has been mechanically disturbed.

Come visit us for Bluebells and other seasonal spring ephemerals!