05 Spring-Blooming Native Plants for New England Gardens

Many of the same native perennials you see along trails in wild natural areas of New England can be integrated into your own landscape. Just be aware that most wildflowers in wooded areas will require part shade. Although there are exceptions, neither full sun nor dense shade is ideal for growing most New England native woodland flowers. And, be aware that woodland wildflowers in New England are typically spring ephemerals (whose foliage disappears when blooming is finished), so don't expect an attention-grabbing summer display from these plants.

But if springtime is a special season for you, inquire about these 14 beauties at your local certified native plants nursery.

01. Hepatica/ Anemone

Some botanists categorize Hepatica as its own genus, while others consider it a part of the Anemone genus. Whatever you call these plants, the various species are among the very best native perennials for a shade garden. For one thing, this plant can make a big splash without taking up a lot of space. It also stays in bloom longer than most native shade plants. And gardeners who don't have green thumbs will be glad to learn that it's not overly fussy.

The species native to the eastern U.S. is Hepatica nobilis, with two varieties commonly seen: H. nobilis var. acuta (sharp-lobed hepatica), and H. nobilis var. obtusa (round-lobed hepatica). These are early bloomers, flowering in March and April.

02.Bloodroot

Bloodroot is an early-blooming flower that has white petals surrounding a yellow center and is named for the bright red sap that is found in its roots.

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis L., Papaveraceae) is a plant indigenous to the central and eastern United States. Native Americans had several uses for bloodroot, including use as dyes and medicines. Today, this plant is most widely used in dental care products as a remineralizing or antigingivial agent though some note an association between use and oral malignancies, such as leukoplakia.

(Sanguinaria canadensis) is a much more gregarious woodland dweller who will happily colonize to fill large areas in a colorful mass. Many colonies of this spectacular plant can be found across the Berkshires and other areas of the northeast U.S., where they bloom in March and April with white or pink-tinged flowers.

03. Common Trillium

Another spring flowers in Michigan is the trillium. Its petals are usually white, but sometimes they can be pink or purple. Its leaves are broad and come in a whorl of three.

In our childhood the woods in late May were full of hundreds of large, waxy white flowers that covered the forest floor. Grandma in her German diary called these trilliums “wild lilies” and also commented that on May14th and 22nd in 1927 and again on May 22nd in 1940 these flowers were numerous and in full bloom. (Freckman, 1994) gave the earliest blooming dates as April 24th.

04. Trout Lily

Trout lily (Erythronium americanum) is also known as yellow adder’s tongue, yellow trout lily, yellow fawn lily, and yellow dog-tooth violet. In the wild, look for it on moist woods, wooded slopes and bluffs, and along streams. Individual plants have two tulip-like leaves and a single flower. Trout lily grows only about six inches tall and flowers in April. It tolerates deeper shade than many wildflowers, but still prefers some sunlight, such as that offered by dappled shade.

Once established, trout lily does not transplant well, so do not attempt to take this specimen (or any wildflower, for that matter) from its native location. This is a good plant for wet areas, but it takes time to spread and to mature enough to flower. Be patient with trout lily.

05. Jack in the Pulpit

The flower gets its name from its appearance, which resembles a pulpit with a preacher (Jack) inside. It blooms in early spring and is commonly found in damp woodland areas.

One to two large, glossy leaves, divided into three leaflets, rise on their own stems up to about 2 feet tall. The intriguing blossom of this woodland perennial occurs on a separate stalk at the same height as the leaves. It is a large, cylindrical, hooded flower, green in color with brown stripes. Distinctive "Jack-in-the-Pulpit" formation grows beneath large leaves. A cluster of bright red berries appears in late summer.

Some authorities recognize one species, and others three, based on minor differences in leaves, spathe, and size.