Native Spring Ephemerals: Natures Original Early Bloomers Before dandelions ever arrived, North Americas native ecosystems thrived with plants evolved to feed native pollinators in early spring. These spring ephemerals emerge before trees leaf out nourishing bees, cycling nutrients, and disappearing before summer. Virginia bluebells Bloodroot Dutchmans breeches Toadshade Shooting star Mayapple Rue anemone Virginia spring beauty Yellow trout lily Prairie trillium Jack-in-the-Pulpit Wild hyacinth Dandelions arent evil but theyre not essential. Native ephemerals are. Lets stop ignoring the plants that truly belong here. Bring back the beauty we erased.