Ephemeral Elegance: The Short but Stunning Life of Spring Wildflowers

As spring arrives, many people look to the skies for returning birds—but here at TNC, we’re just as excited to spot the first wildflowers poking through the earth. The earliest bloomers, known as spring ephemerals, are small flowers that take advantage of the still-bare trees and warming sun to grow before the canopy fills in. TNC has several species of ephemerals observable on the trails and in our Pollinator Garden (see inset). One of the first to appear in late March to early April is the American Trout Lily, a familiar sight in our mixed hardwood forests. These flowers start as a single green-and-purple mottled leaf, and once they grow a second, they’re ready to bloom. Over time, they form large colonies that can be over 200 years old! Trout Lilies provide nectar for early pollinators like bees and butterflies, while Eastern Chipmunks feast on their bulbs. Interestingly, White-tailed Deer tend to leave them alone, making them a great native plant for gardens.

Want to see Trout Lilies and other spring ephemerals for yourself? Take a walk along the Red Trail (our Faerie Trail)—new blooms appear and brighten the forest floor each week! You can also visit our Pollinator Garden to see how native plants can thrive in a home garden setting.