Virginia Bluebells

Mertensia virginica

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.

Scroll to Top