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Carolina Springbeauty

Claytonia caroliniana

Last reviewed: August 2026

Carolina Springbeauty (Claytonia caroliniana)
Photo: (c) Tom Scavo, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Scavo

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

2"–8" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CT, GA, IA, IN and 16 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 432 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Carolina springbeauty is a delicate native wildflower that produces small white or pink flowers with darker pink veins in early spring. This low-growing plant forms small colonies and goes dormant by summer, making it an excellent ephemeral groundcover for shaded areas.

In an HOA neighborhood

Carolina Springbeauty takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Disappears completely by summer leaving bare spots
  • Very small and can appear sparse or weedy
  • May not provide consistent coverage expected in front yards

Wildlife value

The early spring blooms provide nectar for bees and flies when few other flowers are available. Small mammals and birds may eat the seeds.

Common questions

How much sun does Carolina Springbeauty need?
Carolina Springbeauty grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Carolina Springbeauty bloom?
Carolina Springbeauty blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Carolina Springbeauty native?
Carolina Springbeauty (Claytonia caroliniana) is native to CT, GA, IA, IN and 16 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Carolina Springbeauty attract?
Carolina Springbeauty draws bees and flies.
Is Carolina Springbeauty HOA-friendly?
Carolina Springbeauty takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Carolina Springbeauty? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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