woodland wildflower

Carolina Springbeauty

Claytonia caroliniana

Native to much of the USA and southern Canada

Nova Scotia to Ontario, south to New England, northern Michigan and northeastern Minnesota; also mountains to Georgia, Alabama and Arkansas

Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Moist to wet Moisture preference
Zones 3–8 Cold to heat range
Bloom Mar–Jun Flowering time
Height up to 1 ft to 0.3 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

Full details, see below

In the garden

A woodland wildflower for partial shade and consistently moist to wet soil. At up to 1 ft, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee

also Western Honey Bee, Two-spotted Bumble Bee, Tricolored Bumble Bee +15 more
Perplexing Bumble Bee, Colletes inaequalis, Orange-legged Furrow Bee, Spurred Ceratina, Nomada luteola, Neighborly Mining Bee, Black-and-yellow Nomad Bee, Mustard Miner Bee, Trout-lily Mining Bee, Spring Beauty Miner, Quebec Sweat Bee, Brown-fovea Miner, Dunning's Miner, Rugose Mining Bee, Milwaukee Mining Bee
Butterflies Mourning Cloak

also Eastern Comma, Northern Azure, Mustard White +1 more
West Virginia White
Flower flies Eastern Calligrapher also Narrow-headed Marsh Fly, Greater Bee Fly, Orange-legged Drone Fly

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Eastern commanectar
Mourning cloaknectar

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (20): AR, CT, GA, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV. Canada (4): NB, NS, ON, PE. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Nova Scotia to Ontario, south to New England, northern Michigan and northeastern Minnesota; also mountains to Georgia, Alabama and ArkansasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: Moist to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 3–8 · Canadian 2–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Rich, moist soils. Prefers high humusThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: AcidicThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).

Growth & form

Height: up to 1 ft (to 0.3 m)Typical mature height.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Mar–JunWhen it flowers.
Flower color: White, PinkThe bloom color, or colors.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.