Alice,
I wonder if they want some cold. They tolerate very dry conditions and in fact I had one survive in a gallon pot for 2 years that never got watered or winter protected. That one finally made it to the ground by my garage but sadly it might be – no more – after a roof job and getting trampled. I’m waiting and hoping to see some life in it yet but I’m not holding my breath.

We have claytonia, red trillium, dentaria and Dicentra cucullaria (Dutchmans breeches) yet to flower in the woods around here. I have some of them in my shade garden, along with bloodroot, mayapple and ferns. It’s a very soothing part of the garden. I just wish they’d hang around longer, the ephemera types. Maybe we wouldn’t cherish them as much then, though.

jodi,
Do you know what’s causing it to vanish? I hate to think it’s a forewarning for other areas. I’m glad to know at least some survive in your garden (ready to escape I hope) We have all the natives you mentioned – I just need to expand my hunting grounds a bit to cover them.

I think of ephemerals as being polite. They move aside so we can appreciate those that follow.

sharkbytes,
Enjoy it where ever you may find it.