Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica

Courtesy of Thomas Muller, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Summary
Arguably one of our most beautiful spring ephemerals, Virginia bluebells are stunning when grown in mass plantings around trees and shrubs, or in shade gardens. The dainty, bell- shaped flowers appear atop compact clumps of gray-green foliage, and last for several weeks. As they mature, blossoms change from pinkish buds to purple and finally their distinctive true blue color. Virginia bluebells grow best in shade and moist, rich soil, and will self-seed and colonize when they’re happy in their location.
More Details
FAMILY
Boraginaceae (Borage)
BLOOM TIME
April-May
FLOWER
Blue, Pink, Violet
MATURE SIZE
1-2 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
Part Shade to Shade
SOIL CONDITIONS
Moist
NATIVE STATUS
PA Native
Ecosystem Connections
Bumblebees and other long-tongued bees are often seen pollinating the flowers of Virginia bluebell, but they’re also attractive to many types of butterflies, skippers and hummingbird moths, flower flies (syrphids), bee flies and hummingbirds.