Spring Ephemerals

Did you know that Brookgreen Gardens maintains a plant records database? This database is used to keep track of the plants we have in our collection. To have as complete a database as possible, it’s important to regularly be scouting out the gardens to see what plants are coming up. This could hardly be more true than in the case of spring ephemerals. These are plants that are present in the spring, but go dormant and die back to the ground when it gets hot. Since these plants are not visible year round, I’ve been spending time in the gardens locating and identifying what we have.

Podophyllum peltatum.jpg

Podophyllum peltatum, or mayapple, is native to South Carolina and is present in the Lower Left Wing, the Palmetto Garden, and Oak Allée. Don’t let the name fool you though, the majority of this plant is poisonous! We like to appreciate its visual appeal, such as the parasol-like leaves it throws up in the cooler weather. Although often obstructed by the leaves, they also don a delicate white flower.

Podophyllum peltatum flower.jpg

I don’t know about you, but for me, the funkier the plant the better! Trillium maculatum, or spotted wakerobin, I think fits the bill.  Another South Carolina native, this plant has mottled leaves arranged in threes.

Trillium maculatum leaf.jpg

It also dons a unique flower. Just like a hat atop its leafy head, the flower sits perched upon the foliage. Our plantings of Trillium can be found in Anne’s Garden, the Lower Left Wing, the Palmetto Garden, and Oak Allée. I particularly like the color contrast between the foliage and the flower.

Trillium maculatum.jpg

The foliage on all of these ephemerals is unique and eye catching. Sanguinaria canadensis, or bloodroot, is no exception. Sure, the foliage is a bit more subdued than the others we’ve looked at, but it’s leaf form is like few others I’ve seen before.

Sanguinaria canadensis.jpg

White flowers cheerfully lift above the foliage, and in some instances appear even before the foliage is out. At Brookgreen, bloodroot can be found in the Palmetto Garden and Live Oak Allée. Lest I forget, this too is a South Carolina native!

Sanguinaria canadensis flower.jpg

Spring ephemerals are wonderful novelties to enjoy within the gardens. Their limited presence makes them all the more precious!