Ep. 205 Spring Ephemerals: Discovering Hidden Woodland Treasures | #GoodGrowing

Welcome to another episode of the Good Growing podcast! Join horticulture educators Chris Enroth and Ken Johnson as they dive into the fascinating world of spring ephemerals. These early bloomers emerge before trees leaf out, adding blooms to the landscape after winter's dormancy. In this episode, Ken and Chris discuss these unique plants and their lifecycles, give tips on growing spring ephemerals in your garden, and describe detailed insights into common Illinois spring ephemerals. Skip to what you want to know:00:36 Hey Ken!00:45 Are the spring ephemerals emerging in our yards and around us?02:52 What is a spring ephemeral?05:23 Where do we commonly find spring ephemerals?08:14 Are Spring bulbs the same as spring ephemerals?11:51 When do you commonly see spring ephemerals emerge in Illinois?12:40 Can we plant spring ephemerals in our yards?14:16 Can spring ephemerals be used under evergreens?15:10 Should you buy bareroot or seed to start your spring ephemeral garden?20:19 The interesting way many spring ephemerals have their seed dispersed.22:23 Talking about specific species of spring ephemerals.   22:32 Skunk cabbage   24:46 Dutchman's Breeches   27:56 Jack in the Pulpit   32:25 Virginia bluebells   36:26 Yellow Trout Lily   38:40 Mayapple   42:36 Bloodroot44:54 Forest debris and invasive species competing with spring ephemerals   46:45 Spring beauty50:23 Don't dig up spring ephemerals from natural areas52:46 Plan for a succession of plants to fill in the holes left by spring ephemerals when they are done for the year.54:12 Thank you, and coming up next weekLinks to our articles on spring ephemeralsSpring brings spring beauties to the landscape https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2021-04-15-spring-brings-spring-beauties-landscape A plant of many colors: Virginia bluebell https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2024-03-15-plant-many-colors-virginia-bluebellA favorite spring ephemeral: Bloodroot https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2023-03-17-favorite-spring-ephemeral-bloodrootTrillium: Good things come in threes https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2023-04-07-trillium-good-things-come-threes Contact us! Chris Enroth: [email protected] Johnson: [email protected] Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingSubscribe to the weekly Good Growing email: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowingsubscribeAny products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.Barnyard Bash: freesfx.co.uk --You can find us on most podcast platforms.  iTunes - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-growing/id1446630377     Tunein - https://tunein.com/podcasts/Gardening/Good-Growing-p1187964/  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/202u3siWExE1tTqrVgtmCR    Vurbl - https://vurbl.com/station/good-growing-4pljnNlUtyG/    Listen notes - https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/good-growing-chris-enroth-cHLPMWpvEOG/    Ivy - https://ivy.fm/podcast/good-growing-167902    Castbox - https://castbox.fm/channel/Good-Growing-id4302614?country=us