One of the first plants to flower in the moist woodland are the lovely heloniopsis.  Here’s Heloniopsis orientalis ‘Purple Sprite’ in flower today.  Heloniopsis was a former member of the giant Lily family, until the great taxonomic breakup moved it into the Melanthiaceae family.  The easy-to-grow Heloniopsis (Zone 5a-8b) are a great way to add a touch of color to the late winter garden…add moist soil, and voila!