Mertensia virginica

SUMMARY

Virginia Bluebells are an attractive early spring ephemeral that enjoy part to full shade and thrive in woodland soil. They light up the forest floor before the leaves have unfurled on the trees. Pink buds open to pendulous, trumpet-shaped blossoms. It’s a lovely sky blue that is not commonly found in wildflowers. Over time, these clump-forming natives can form beautiful colonies that bring a splash of color to shady areas, especially if the soil is rich and moist. As they often go completely dormant and disappear in summer, it can be beneficial to overplant them with annuals, shade-tolerant perennials, or ferns that will take their place for the rest of the growing season. Want some inspiration? Check out Carolyn’s Shade Gardens!

DETAILS

Other Common Names: Virginia Cowslip, Roanoke Bells, Lungwort Oysterleaf

Family: Boraginaceae

USDA Zones: 3 – 8

Life Cycle: Herbaceous Perennial

Height: 1.50′ – 2.00′

Spread: 1.00′ – 1.50′

Sun: Part Sun – Full Shade

Soil: Rich Loam, Clay

Moisture: Medium-Wet, Medium

Bloom Time: March – May

Bloom Color: Blue (may have white, pink, or lavender variations)

Uses: Naturalize, Shade Garden, Woodland Garden

Native Range: BONAP Map

Native Range Color Key: Dk. Green = Present in State and Native, Lt. Green= Present and Not Rare, Yellow = Present and Rare, Gold = Not Present in State, Teal = Present and Exotic, Cross-Hatched = Questionable Presence

NOTEWORTHY CHARACTERISTICS

Clump-forming perennial that spreads through rhizomes and seeds
Can form large colonies over time
Emerges very early in the year, often before there are leaves on the trees
A spring ephemeral; foliage dies to the ground by mid-summer
Flower buds are pink; blossoms transition to blue
Early food source for bees and butterflies
Seeds can be collected in late spring/early summer and are best sown fresh
Slow to grow from seeds, several months of cold are necessary to break dormancy
Deer and rabbit resistant
Black Walnut juglone tolerant

FAUNAL ASSOCIATIONS

Nectar/Pollen for bees: Bumblebees, Halictid Bees, Honeybees, Mason Bees, Anthophorid Bees
Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds in some areas
Visited by the Giant Bee Fly (Bombylius major), Syrphid Flies
Skippers, Butterflies, and Sphinx moths including a hummingbird moth Hemaris thysbe
Colonies can provide cover for small wildlife species

PESTS/DISEASES

Relatively disease and pest free.

A CLOSER LOOK

By late March, the distinctive rounded leaves embrace clusters of closed flower buds.

April 25th – Mertensia virginica and Packera aurea
New divisions transplanted in early spring
Our “Mother Patch” in late April

*Sky blue flower blossoms hang in drooping clusters*.

May 24th – Once the flowers have faded, seed formation begins. Four or five small black seeds develop where the bloom used to be.

June 10th – As a spring ephemeral that goes dormant by summertime, seeds (as seen bottom left) can be collected in May.

COMPANION PLANTS

In order to provide the maximum benefit to pollinators, it is best to plan for a succession of blooms. This ensures that as one species fades, another begins to blossom. In this way, a constant source of nectar and pollen is provided from spring through fall. The following natives enjoy similar growing conditions to Mertensia virginica: