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!