Spring in a woodland garden must include the ephemerals, the wildflowers that only last until the trees' canopy fills in. Capturing the spring garden on film is an ephemeral opportunity for the photographer as well, for there may only one best day; as here in this Delaware garden. Just as the wildflowers fade (Phlox divaricata), the Torch azalea (Rhododendron kaempferi) reaches it peak, and the Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) begins to leaf out.

In early spring, when wildflowers jump out of the bed under this Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) they give spontanaity to the garden. The azalea alone would not give this garden it's natural look and feel. Combined with Tiarella nd Phlox in the foreground, and a small flowering tree (Cornus florida) in the distance, the garden becomes enchanted.

Spring wildflowers can become a groundcover of color when allowed to naturalize as here under a magnificent old dogwood (Cornus florida). Benefitting from early spring sunshine before the trees leaf out, the wildflowers, Phlox stolonifera and columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) will disappear by the time the woodland comes into summer.

A bench nestled alongside a quiet pathway allows the opportunity to stop and sense the ephemeral nature of spring. The majic goes unnoticed unless we take the time to drink in these fleeting moments.

Pathways should be made of a natural material in woodland gardens and have turns in them to give the garden depth and mystery, The groundcovers, here, phlox and epimedium, should be allowed to come right down to the path to soften it's edges and take advantage of the little extra light a path allows a woodland garden.