Planting and Growing the Virginia Springbeauty

Also known as springbeauty, the Virginia springbeauty is from the purslane family of plants. It is native to the United States. Botanically, it is called Claytonia virginica or by one of its synonyms Claytonia media or Claytonia virginica var. virginica.

Virginia Springbeauty Description

Growing four inches to one foot high, this perennial has clusters of white or pink flowers that have dark pink stripes. Leaves are slender, smooth, and grass-like. Bloom season is between January and May. After seed capsules are ripe, the plants starts to disappear.

Growing Guide

Virginia springbeauty prefers to grow in partial shade and in moist acidic soil, preferably in high humus soils. It does tolerate several varieties of soil. Propagate by seeds or by corms, sown as soon as they ripen in the early summer.

Distribution

This native is found in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. It is seen in thickets and rich wood areas.

Food Use

First Nations people have used this plant as a food source and it is still an edible wild plant for those that are interested. The tuber as a chestnut-like flavor and grows like a potato.

A similar plant to the Carolina springbeauty, this native plant is best grown in large patches of plants. It is nice planted en masse throughout the landscape or as a wildflower.

Source: NPIN