The beauty and value of local spring short-lived plants in your garden.

Spring brings beautiful colors to gardens as flowers bloom and new plants grow. But there's a special type of plant called a native spring ephemeral that is also amazing.

Ephemerals don't live very long, but they are important because they grow between winter and spring. They grow quickly when the weather gets warmer and there's more sunlight.

These plants bloom for a short time, about 6 to 8 weeks, and then they disappear underground. This makes space for other plants that need shade to grow later in the year.

Native ephemerals are important because they provide food for insects when there isn't much else to eat. They also add beautiful colors to gardens when most other plants are still dormant.

You can plant ephemerals in spring or fall in a spot with good drainage and some shade. They don't need a lot of care, but you can add some compost to help them grow.