Virginia bluebells
* Common name: Virginia bluebells
Virginia bluebells massed, left, and close of flowers, right.
* Botanical name: Mertensia virginica
* What it is: Virginia bluebells are a Pennsylvania-native perennial that typically grow in woodland colonies and produce clusters of little blue trumpet-shaped clusters from late March into early May. The flower buds are pink.
The flowers attract several early-season pollinating bees and sometimes early rounds of hummingbird visitors.
Plants die back and go dormant in summer, making them a good example of a “spring ephemeral,” much like spring-flowering bulbs.
Rabbits don’t eat them, but deer sometimes will browse the spring-time foliage and flowers. Virginia bluebells hardly ever run into any bug or disease problems.
* Size: Plants grow 18 to 24 inches tall and usually colonize by ant-carried seeds. Space 18 inches apart at planting.
* Where to use: Shady to mostly shaded spots (out of direct afternoon sun) are best, ideally with moist, rich, “woodsy” soil since Virginia bluebells are at home in moist woodland sites and along dappled-light stream and creek sides.
An ideal setting is growing a mass of bluebells in a wooded area or woodland garden. They also would make a good addition to a spring wildflower garden and can be used similar to spring-flowering bulbs (except in shadier spots).
* Care: Water the first season to establish the roots, then water only if the soil goes dry while the plants are in growth mode. No need to water when plants are dormant in summer. Fertilizer also usually isn’t needed.
Rake off dead foliage in summer if you want or let it decay in place.
* Great partners: Since Virginia bluebells go dormant in summer and from then on, they’re best interplanted with perennials that take over the space in summer and fall. Ferns are perfect partners that like similar light and growing conditions. Ligularia, rodgersia, Culver’s root, turtlehead, and hostas are other possibilities.