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 Bloodroot
44:54 Forest debris and invasive species competing with spring ephemerals
   46:45 Spring beauty
50:23 Don't dig up spring ephemerals from natural areas
52:46 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 week

Links to our articles on spring ephemerals
Spring 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-bluebell
A favorite spring ephemeral: Bloodroot https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2023-03-17-favorite-spring-ephemeral-bloodroot
Trillium: Good things come in threes https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/good-growing/2023-04-07-trillium-good-things-come-threes 


Contact us! 
Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu
Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu 


Check out the Good Growing Blog: https://go.illinois.edu/goodgrowing
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Any products or companies mentioned during the podcast are in no way a promotion or endorsement of these products or companies.


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