*NATIVE PLANT OF THE WEEK*⁠ Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica, Zones 4–9)⁠ ⁠ Petite but packed with charm, this ephemeral perennial can frequently be found covering forest floors for a few weeks in spring before going dormant until the following year.⁠ ⁠ Native Habitat⁠ Despite its botanical name, spring beauty has a wide natural range, growing in meadows and moist woodlands in the eastern half of North America from the Midwest to the East Coast.⁠ ⁠ Why Grow It⁠ • Small flowers have five petals that are generally white with pink to dark pink veining⁠ • Blooms in late winter/early spring or mid-spring to late spring/early summer, depending on region⁠ • Flowers open on sunny days⁠ • Dark green, grasslike, succulent leaves⁠ • Grows to 6 inches tall⁠ • Early source of nectar for pollinators, especially native bees such as mason bees, bumblebees, and andrenid bees⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Growing Tips⁠ • Part shade⁠ • Rich, moist soil⁠ • Best grown from corms⁠ • Allow foliage to die naturally after flowers fa...