Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

Virginia Spring Beauty

Claytonia virginica

Claytonia virginica, commonly known as Virginia Spring Beauty, is a low-growing perennial that is 3 to 12 inches in height. It features narrow, grass-like leaves and produces delicate pink or white flowers with pink veins in early spring. It is one of our first spring ephemerals to bloom in moist woodlands of Minnesota, but the flowers don’t last long and wither away typically before our hardwood trees have leafed out. Virginia Spring Beauty is excellent for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and shady naturalized areas where early spring blooms are desired.

Characteristics

Product Form	Plant
Type	Forb
Sun	Partial Sun, Shade
Soil	Clay, Loam, Sand/Gravel, Calcareous
Moisture	Mesic
Average Max Height (inches)	6
Suggested Plant Spacing (inches)	6
Bloom month(s)	April, May, June
Bloom Color or Type	Pink
Dominance	Low

Range Maps

Sowing Information

Sow seed onto a firm, weed-free seedbed. Hand-broadcast seed making two perpendicular passes for even coverage. If planting a mix, broadcast the grass component first and lightly rake/drag it into the top 1/8–1/4" of soil. Next, broadcast wildflower/forb seed and press it into the soil surface (with a roller/cultipacker or the back of a rake) to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. After seeding, apply a very light layer of clean, seed-free straw (or other weed-free, site-appropriate mulch) to reduce erosion and retain moisture without smothering seedlings. A good rainfall or thorough watering will help settle seed and mulch and improve germination.

Planting Information

Dig a hole in your planting site slightly larger than the plant’s root system. When placing the plant into the hole, ensure that the soil line remains consistent with its original level in the pot. Fill in around the roots with the excavated soil, gently firming it to eliminate air pockets. Water the plant thoroughly the same day to promote successful establishment.