Spring beauty | The Morton Arboretum

Spring beauty has delicate white to pink flowers with darker pink striped petals balanced on thin red stems. The green buds droop until the flowers open upright. These harbingers of spring are easily identified by the flowers and the two strappy leaves on each stem. One of the most abundant spring wildflowers in the woods at The Morton Arboretum.

This species is native to the Chicago Region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research.

Family (English) Purslane
Family (botanic) Portulacaceae
Tree or plant type Perennial
Native locale Chicago area
Size range Low-growing plant (under 6 inches), Small plant (6-12 inches)
Light exposure Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Wet sites
Season of interest mid spring, late spring
Flower color and fragrance Pink, White
Shape or form Open
Growth rate Fast

Size and form:

A low-growing ephemeral that reaches 6 to 8 inches tall. Both flowers and leaves will go dormant by mid-summer.

Native geographic location and habitat:

It is native to eastern North America. C-Value: 2

Attracts birds, pollinators, or wildlife:

Bees and other pollinators are attracted to spring beauty.

Leaf description:

A pair of long, narrow leaves grow on either side of the stem.

Flower description:

White to pale pink, five-petaled flowers with darker pink stripes are produced April through June. The flowers open upward during sunny days and close up at night. On cloudy days they stay closed and nod downward.