Claytonia virginica (Spring Beauty)
Virginia Springbeauty, Springbeauty, Virginia Spring Beauty, Spring Beauty, Good Morning Spring, Grass Flower, Wild Potato
Claytonia virginica (Spring Beauty) is a charming tuberous perennial boasting loose clusters of small, star-shaped, white to pale pink flowers with delicate pink veins. Blooming in early to late spring, the blossoms are borne atop thin stems adorned with a pair of smooth, grass-like, dark green leaves. The flowers are an important spring source of nectar and pollen to a wide range of pollinators. Spring Beauty is a most attractive spring ephemeral that disappears in late spring as the plant goes into dormancy. It grows from a small, potato-like, edible, underground tuber which has a sweet, chestnut-like flavor. Native Americans and colonists used to eat them. Particularly attractive in large numbers, Claytonia virginica forms an extensive groundcover. It makes a fine addition to any shade or woodland garden or naturalized in a lawn.
- Grows up to 6-10 in. tall and wide (15-25 cm). This beauty naturalizes rapidly by bulb offsets and self-seeding.
- Easily grown in humus-rich, fertile, moist, acidic, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Prefers the dappled shade and moist, rich soil of the woodland. Tolerates a variety of soils, including dry soils.
- Stunning when massed in rock gardens, cottage gardens or prairies and meadows.
- No serious pest or disease issues.
- To be planted in fall, 3 in. deep (7 cm) and 3 in. apart (7 cm).
- Propagate using corms or seeds. Seeds should be sown as soon as they ripen.
- Native to eastern North America.
Buy Claytonia virginica (Spring Beauty)
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 6 |
Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 6" – 10" (15cm – 25cm) |
Spread | 6" – 10" (15cm – 25cm) |
Spacing | 3" (7cm) |
Depth | 3" (7cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Dry Soil |
Garden Uses | Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Aaron Carlson, Andy Reago & Chrissy Mclarren, Katja Schulz, Flickr
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4
– 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 1
– 6 |
Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early,Mid,Late) |
Height | 6" – 10" (15cm – 25cm) |
Spread | 6" – 10" (15cm – 25cm) |
Spacing | 3" (7cm) |
Depth | 3" (7cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas |
Tolerance | Dry Soil |
Garden Uses | Ground Covers |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |