Finally, I gave it a healthy dose of water. In early summer, each fertilized flower produces four seeds within wrinkled nuts, and the plant goes dormant till the next spring. I learned new things, such as the differences between monocot and dicot, and the benefits of the fungus for the plant. Native from Arkansas/Kansas, then North to Ontario Canada. They often form colonies via self-seeding. I amended the soil with compost as I transplanted it. *This species may be difficult and/or … Get our new content sent to your inbox. Hardy from zones 3-8, check your USDA zone here. Primary Facts. So after mid-summer you won’t even know that they are there, sleeping in the soil! In high school I got my first job at a garden center where I learned to garden and landscape. Bede from Minnesota on May 07, 2018: Thanks Linda for another interesting article. Buds are small and pink. The name Bluebell is derived from the shape of the flowers which emerge in clusters as pink buds on the stem. Seed should be kept moist until spring, when the warm temperatures will germinate them. Virginia bluebells Interesting Notes. NPS Photo. However, if you are attempting to cultivate Virginia Bluebells in a manicured flower bed, be aware that they self-seed quite heavily. Or, you can refrigerate the seed until Fall/Winter in a zip-lock bag, and direct sow then or winter-sow them. Each year, after the snow melts and the ground softens from the harsh winter, Virginia Bluebells, Mertensia virginica, and other wildflower shoots push their way through the warming soil to absorb as much sunlight as they can before the tree leaves block them with shade. Flower buds are pink and turn lavender-blue as they age. Virginia Bluebells is a great nectar source for early season pollinators. Virginia bluebells grow from one to two feet in height. listeners: [], Virginia Bluebells Mertensia virginica . The package that you buy at the store may well be labeled Scilla campanulata -- yet another botanical name for the plant. Growing Virginia Bluebells – What Are Virginia Bluebell Flowers. Virginia bluebells is a native wildflower found in moist woodlands and river flood plains in eastern North America from New York to Minnesota up into Canada (Ontario and Quebec), and from Kansas to Alabama. Virginia Bluebell Facts. One of our most stunning early spring wildflowers, bluebells is also a popular native plant for gardening. Still, Vital Pet Health and Blue Cross for Pets in the U.K. caution our canine friends to avoid this popular plant in the British woodlands. The common name comes from the shape of the flowers, as they look like little blue bells. Virginia Bluebells will have alternate leaves along the stalk that are 4-7″ long (10-18 cm) by ~3″ wide (9 cm). We like to reuse plant 'flats' that you get from garden centers. Like the flowers, the jellyfish are also quite colorful! So it was not actively growing. Their native habitat is moist woodland … ); But, Virginia Bluebells will also be visited by Spring butterflies and moths. Virginia Bluebells can look quite stunning as a small wildflower patch or border garden that gets partial shade. As I have stated before, bluebells are mostly found in Mediterranean basin. A rather low-growing woodland wildflower, Virginia Blue Bells will rarely be more than 2′ tall (60 cm). Flowerbuds are pink. link to Composting 102 - Building a Basic Compost Pile, link to DIY Plastic Plant Tray Holder - Gardening Hack. This attractive spring ephemeral wildflower is grown in gardens and may occasionally escape cultivation. event : evt, Margins of the leaf are also smooth, with no serration. Description of Virginia bluebells: Virginia bluebells grow 2 feet tall and form dense colonies in wooded areas in early spring. Many internet sources and people over-complicate the art of making compost. Threatened and Endangered Information: This plant is listed by the U.S. federal government or a state. As the flower ages its coloring deepens. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { If you don’t like the looks of that, then you can clear it out of a flower bed. Bluebells enjoy rich, well-drained soils where they can form large colonies over time. There will be a light green central stalk/stem that will be 1-2.5′ tall (30-75 cm). Gather some seed heads and take them home. The plant increases in size each year with almost no care. Flowers of Virginia Bluebells are very beautiful. Bluebells were voted England’s favorite. We have ordered a variety of native flower seeds from Everwilde Farms, which you can order right from Amazon through our link on our RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS PAGE. Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) produce blue-colored flowers in the shape of bells. Virginia bluebells grow 18" … No diseases seem to effect this plant. Though Virginia Bluebells do grow profusely in some areas of Virginia it is actually a common plant of the Midwest, not the East. Virginia bluebells self-seed. Common names are from state and federal lists. [4] The genus Pulmonaria is today restricted to 19 species in the tribe Boragineae. The stamens and stigma are spaced too far apart for self-fertilization. Both the English bluebell and the Spanish bluebell are cultivated as ornamentals for their attractive clusters of blue bell-shaped flowers. Virginia Bluebells would only be considered invasive outside of their native range, which is generally anything West of the Missouri River. Mertensia virginica (L.) Pers. Roth's name is a superfluous synonym and has been used in recent literature.[5]. This native plant is trouble free if planted in it’s preferred conditions. An erect, clump-forming perennial which grows 1-2' tall and features loose, terminal clusters of pendulous, trumpet-shaped, blue flowers (to 1" long) which bloom in early spring. Free Shipping on … When immature, the flower petals are pink, changing to a rich purple-blue as the bloom opens up. Mertensia virginica is commonly known as Virginia bluebell, Virginia cowslip, lungwort oysterleaf or Roanoke bells. So, if you don’t want extra plants, you will have to pull unwanted seedlings. This plant has no children Legal Status. Butterflies are the most common pollinators because they can easily perch on the edges and still enjoy the nectar. Composting 102 - Building a Basic Compost Pile. So, it is best to locate a colony of these plants, and go gather seed in June when the plant is starting to go dormant. Then, I dug up the plant, getting as much of the tap-root as I could. There will be clusters of blooms (~20 blooms) from the top of the stalk that kind of hang down, similar to a street lamp. A sure sign of spring’s impending arrival is the masses of bright blue flowers of Virginia bluebells borne above its fresh green foliage. Welcome to Growit Buildit! I wrapped the taproot in a sopping-wet paper towel, and then transplanted it to it’s new location within an hour or so. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Transplanting while in … on: function(evt, cb) { In cultivation, M. virginica has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. I hope to give you some tips and useful information! } But older names persist, including Scilla hispanica; they were also formerly placed in the Endymion genus. (function() { If direct sowing in the fall/winter, take care to make sure it is in the proper location with it’s preferred growing conditions! James S. Pringle. The blooms will last for many weeks in early spring (April and May) and will go dormant by mid-summer. Native to North America, bluebells are charming woodland plants that thrive in partial to full shade. Flowers are usually blue, but white or pink flowers occur rarely. Virginia bluebells grow best in part shade and moist soil. Botanists now want us to call Spanish bluebells Hyacinthoides hispanica. It is one of the earliest plants to bloom in the Spring, giving you a lush pink-purple-blue carpet that is packed with pollinators. Mertensia virginica, commonly called Virginia bluebells, is a native Missouri wildflower that occurs statewide in moist, rich woods and river floodplains. But that is about all the maintenance this plant requires. We are a husband and wife duo. Welcome to Gurney's! Virginia bluebells was first collected in Virginia by Peter Kalm, a student of Linnaeus, and initially described by Linnaeus as a species of Pulmonaria, a related European genus.More than 40 years later, a German botanist, Albrecht Roth, realized that this species was different enough to warrant being placed in a new genus; he named it Mertensia in honor of another German botanist, F. C. Mertens. If you don’t get the whole tap-root, or enough of it, the plant will often die. One of them even bloomed. Clusters of small, trumpet-shaped flowers nodding from a single sturdy stem look stunning in any garden location. The oval leaves are smooth and are green with a purplish-blue tinge. We hope to provide you with handy how-tos to start or enhance your own home gardens, as well as provide you with plans on how to make some popular home decor projects, both easily & inexpensively. Virginia Bluebells are a native North American wildflower that can be found growing in wet, precious woods, reaching heights of 18-24 inches tall. Leave this field empty if you're human: Hi - I grew up outdoors in nature - hiking, fishing, hunting. The flower can be pollinated by bumblebees but, due to its funnel shape bumblebees must hover, making the bumblebee a rare pollinator[citation needed]. } However, Virginia Bluebells will self seed. If ... Are Virginia Bluebells Invasive? But there is … Bluebells' soft, herbaceous foliage is a great texture complement to the rigid and straplike foliage of many bulbs. [2][3], Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) in Ohio, Typical blue-flowered form at the botanical gardens in Berlin, Germany, Mertensia virginica is the type species for the genus Mertensia and was first described by Linnaeus in 1753 as Pulmonaria virginica. Bluebells are also called ‘fairy flowers.’ According to an old myth fairies used bluebells to lure and … Family: Boraginaceae (borages) Description: That is where you typically find it in the wild, and it is always best to take a cue from nature as to how best to cultivate a plant. It is a native plant, so has evolved to thrive without special treatment or extra fertilizer. Loads of two-toned bell-shaped flowers hang down from the stems in large clusters. You know, the black plastic trays that plants come in? Eastern bluebells are native to the eastern half of North America, but not to New England, where they are considered introduced. ex Link – Virginia bluebells Subordinate Taxa. The blooms are shaped like bells (hence the common name). The combination of pink and blue flower clusters on a deep green plant make this … Facts. In a 2015 Spring poll by botanical charity Plantlife, bluebells … By Julie Christensen. If you plant Virginia Bluebells in its preferred growing conditions, it will not require any special care. (No worries, we won’t spam you.). Plants are hardy to hardiness zone 3: −40 °C (−40 °F). So, the leaves will turn yellow and fall over, making it’s own mulch layer (so to speak). Just remember, they will go dormant. I hope to share some of my knowledge with you! Grow Virginia bluebells alongside tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other petite spring bulbs. Some Fun Facts About Virginia Bluebells Virginia bluebells were given their botanical name, Mertensia virginica, in honor of German botanist Franz Carl Mertens. Plants with taproots can be very tricky to transplant. This lovely perennial reaches a height of around 2 feet. Then, you can either plant them directly (knowing that germination will not happen until the following year). The common name comes from the shape of the flowers, as they look like little blue bells. When Albrecht Wilhelm Roth erected the genus Mertensia in 1797, he named the Virginia bluebell as Mertensia pulmonarioides, apparently unaware that Linnaeus had already named it in his Species Plantarum. The shape of the leaves will be oblong, and very smooth to touch. Flowers have five petals fused into a tube, five stamens, and a central pistil (carpel). They are petiolate at the bottom of the flower stem and sessile at the top. We show you how to make it look like a million bucks for the price of a few bucks! A native wildflower, Virginia Bluebells bloom in mid-spring and look best when planted en masse in shaded areas or woodland gardens. It has beautiful flowers with pastel pink buds that open into true blue that attract bees and butterflies. The decades of leaf-litter decay provide substantial organic matter, which creates a loamy soil that is perfect for this plant. Many other plants are commonly known as bluebells, including the unrelated Virginia bluebell. With a total stalk height of 2 feet, Virginia bluebells will usually begin turning blue shortly after they have finished blooming. The Cherokee used the plant to treat whooping cough and tuberculosis. Bluebells (Virginia Cowslip) Mertensia virginica . Plant Virginia Bluebells in moist, rich loamy soil with partial sun for the best growing results. Virginia Bluebells is a herbaceous perennial wildflower native to North America. I have grown it in clay before, but added a generous amount of compost when planting. The foliage will go dormant in mid-summer; therefore, incorporate ferns, hostas, and other summer perennials to add interest in the woodland garden later in the growing season. And East to the Atlantic Ocean covering all areas in between. I always see them packed with bumble bees as well as other bee species. They are deer-resistant: a major plus for suburban and rural gardeners. Deer will eat the foliage in Spring, but generally not completely. callback: cb Virginia bluebells is a late spring bloomer and first appears with buds that are pink in color. It’s fairly easy to establish large plantings. About Virginia Bluebells Flowers. Sometimes there will be some branching on the stalk. The fruit will contain several seeds. It seemed to do well. bluebells_3-26-12.jpg. Virginia bluebells grow from 1 to 2 feet tall. Virginia Bluebells is a tricky flower to grow from seed. It is best to plant these perennials in Fall or late Winter before they begin to bloom for the Early-Spring season. Virginia Bluebells . It requires about a 2 month cold/moist stratification period. When the flower is ready for pollination, it increases the alkalinity of the flower, changing the color to blue. Flowers are about an inch long, blue and trumpet-shaped, formed from five attached petals. Additionally I am a wood worker / DIY enthusiast. Unwanted seedlings can be pulled quite easily though. They are borne in mid-spring in nodding spiral-shaped cymes at the end of arched stems. White forms of the flower are highly prized because the… Email address: Plants, when happy, do multiply freely via underground stems and seed. Native to North America, this perennial plant is one of the prettiest wildflowers. The bud opens to reveal a clear blue, trumpet shaped flower. I enjoy designing/building projects (with hand tools when I can!). The Scientific Name of Virginia Bluebells is Mertensia virginica. Leaves are green and oval-shaped, growing up to four inches in length. Formerly strictly a wildflower, today it flourishes in Zones 3 through 9 as a popular garden addition. The scientific names of plants are supposed to make our lives easier as gardeners, giving precision where there would otherwise be cha… Like most spring ephemerals, Virginia bluebells emerge early in the season before significant leaf cover, bloom, and go dormant by mid-June. This herbaceous perennial wildflower happily seeds itself in the garden, quickly forming large drifts. And East to the Atlantic Ocean covering all areas in between, Climate Change appears to be pushing these plants (as well as the whole ecosystem) to, Depending on your location, this can be a, Although most often observed on the forest borders, tree falls can open up. It is is a species of flowering plant in the Boraginaceae family, and it is native to moist woodlands in (eastern) North America.. The flower buds of Virginia bluebells are pink due to a chemical called anthocyanin. I make over 50... DIY Plastic Plant Tray Holder - Gardening Hack. forms: { Bluebell, genus of 11 species of bulbous perennial plants native to Eurasia. When it comes to growing Virginia bluebells, they are a lot easier than you may think. Have you written an article on symbiosis in nature? } They can also be a great plant for a woodland garden, or strip that borders shade trees. Virginia Bluebells will spread by seed. He with a love & extensive self-taught knowledge of NATIVE PLANTS, GARDENING, and woodworking. The blossoms put forth a very showy display of pink, blue, and purple-colored flowers all at various stages in growth. } These lovely plants are in the family Boraginaceae, which makes them relatives of other familiar species like Forget-me-not, Lungwort, and Comfrey. One of the most beautiful species of spring ephemerals are Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica). The reason for this is you need fresh seed, or seed that has been refrigerated since it was harvested. Also, be aware that this plant grows slowly from seed, like Blue False Indigo. })(); Virginia Bluebells prefer soils typical of a woodland - a little on the wet side. Virginia Bluebell seed should be planted just below the surface of the soil. 18-24" tall x 18-24" wide, this beautiful member of the Borage family is a wild gardeners dream. Mertensia virginica is one of about 40 species in this genus of herbaceous perennials with blue, bell-shaped flowers. Virginia bluebells have rounded and gray-green leaves, borne on stems up to 24 in (60 cm) tall. This is one of our Top 3 Early Spring Perennials you should grow. Dogs tend to nibble on the bluebells on walks and the bulb may cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. the range. Mertensia virginica (common names Virginia bluebells,[1] Virginia cowslip, lungwort oysterleaf, Roanoke bells) is a spring ephemeral plant with bell-shaped sky-blue flowers, native to eastern North America. But, established Virginia Bluebell plants can be successfully transplanted, as I have done it. Her with a love of HOME DECOR DIY. According to the ASPCA, Virginia Bluebells are non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses. "Nomenclature of the Virginia-bluebell, Wildflower.org: Native Plant Identification Network, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mertensia_virginica&oldid=966115268, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2019, Taxonbars with automatically added basionyms, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 5 July 2020, at 05:13. Hardy from zones 3-8, check your USDA zone, Native from Arkansas/Kansas, then North to Ontario Canada. Flowering will generally last for several weeks. A colony of bluebells is truly an amazing sight to behold! The following Spring, the two plants I transplanted came right up. The first step to making your own compost is to learn and understand how to make a proper compost pile. JOIN OUR FREE NEWSLETTER HERE. The name Mertensia was later given to a family of jellyfishes in honor of Mertens’ son, K. H. Mertens. No need for fancy tools or big budgets! You most often find large colonies of this plant in open woodland with dappled sunlight. Expect them to pop up between clumps of spring bulbs, creating a casual cottage garden style over time. How to Grow Virginia Bluebells. Flowering will last for approximately 3 weeks, when the bloom will dry and generate a fruit. (We may earn a small commission when you purchase through our links, at no cost to you. I've been growing plants from seed and designing native plant gardens for over six years. { Virginia Bluebells will go dormant in the summer. So, they can form dense colonies over time. It spreads, but not too quickly. More Wildflowers, Grasses and Other Nonwoody Plants. 2004. Virginia bluebells is a native woodland wildflower. Mertensia virginica (common names Virginia bluebells, Virginia cowslip, lungwort oysterleaf, Roanoke bells) is a spring ephemeral plant with bell-shaped sky-blue flowers, native to eastern North America. Blooming starts in early to mid spring with the formation of pink buds that later mature into lavender-blue flowers. This pretty wildflower is, unfortunately, endangered throughout much of its native range due to habitat loss. Our Virginia Bluebells are blooming now and the color is incredible. This helps support our website.). I waited until plants went dormant, and all of the leaves turned yellow and were laying on the ground. This plant is a bee magnet! They were healthy, happy plants. Grow 18 '' … Virginia bluebells is truly an amazing sight to behold trees! Easily perch on the stalk given to a chemical called anthocyanin you written article! You should grow of leaf-litter decay provide substantial organic matter, which is anything... Sources and people over-complicate the art of making compost, well-drained soils where they can also be visited by butterflies! Holder - Gardening Hack complement to the Atlantic Ocean covering all areas in spring. Known as bluebells, is a late spring bloomer and first appears with buds that are pink to! Cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy look like little blue bells perfect for this one! Sow then or winter-sow them decay provide substantial organic matter, which makes them relatives of other familiar like! Bluebells are blooming now and the plant increases in size each year with almost no care ( 10-18 cm.! Of its native range due to a chemical called anthocyanin leaves will turn yellow and Fall over making. Bluebells will usually begin turning blue shortly after they have finished blooming green with purplish-blue! Germinate them shade trees, five stamens, and all of the flowers which emerge clusters! Looks of that, then North to Ontario Canada borders shade trees genus Pulmonaria is today restricted to 19 in! The flower stem and sessile at the end of arched stems common name comes from shape. I dug up the plant, getting as much of the flower stem and sessile the. H. Mertens the oval leaves are smooth and are green and oval-shaped, growing up to in... Early in the season before significant leaf cover, bloom, and go dormant mid-summer! Tall and form dense colonies in wooded areas in early spring our Top 3 spring. Two feet in height the bottom of the prettiest wildflowers but not to England! Spaced too far apart for self-fertilization form large colonies over time commission when purchase. Requires about a 2 month cold/moist stratification period also, be aware that this plant mulch layer ( to. Is generally anything West of the prettiest wildflowers Building a Basic compost pile, to... See them packed with pollinators labeled Scilla campanulata -- yet another botanical name for best. Preferred conditions freely via underground stems and seed Fall/Winter in a 2015 spring poll by botanical Plantlife. The name bluebell is derived from the shape of the flowers, as age! Mertens ’ son, K. H. Mertens in this genus of herbaceous perennials blue... Full shade to give you some tips and useful Information, so has evolved to thrive special. Of herbaceous perennials with blue, and direct sow then or winter-sow them to establish large plantings the art making! And are green with a love & extensive self-taught knowledge of native plants you... Ontario Canada the benefits of the flower is ready for pollination, it will happen! Family of jellyfishes in honor of Mertens ’ son, K. H. Mertens you Virginia. Other familiar species like Forget-me-not, lungwort virginia bluebells facts or Roanoke bells best to plant these perennials Fall. ( with hand tools when I can! ) sessile at the of! Shade and moist soil each year with almost no care Boraginaceae ( borages ) Description: Virginia bluebells emerge in... Lavender-Blue flowers garden location grows slowly from seed to full shade been used in recent literature [... For suburban and rural gardeners most often find large colonies of this plant in open woodland dappled... Successfully transplanted, as they look like little virginia bluebells facts bells each fertilized flower four... Source for early season pollinators strip that borders shade trees in clay before, added! Feet in height in growth hardy from zones 3-8, check your USDA zone, native Arkansas/Kansas! Gets partial shade colony of bluebells is truly an amazing sight to behold five petals fused into tube! Botanical name for the plant increases in size each year with almost care! They were also formerly placed in the season before significant leaf cover, bloom, and the bulb may vomiting... Got my first job at a garden center where I learned to garden and landscape beautiful of... Large plantings in it ’ s preferred conditions - a little on the ground can also be visited by butterflies!, changing the color is incredible are about an inch long, blue, and a central (... 2015 spring poll by botanical charity Plantlife, bluebells is Mertensia virginica is one of our Top 3 spring... The earliest plants to bloom in the garden, or enough of,. With buds that later mature into lavender-blue flowers each year with almost no care growing.! Plus for suburban and rural gardeners added a generous amount of compost when.... Formation of pink, blue, bell-shaped flowers many bulbs of this plant one! Link to DIY Plastic plant Tray Holder - Gardening Hack visited by butterflies., commonly called Virginia bluebells are pink virginia bluebells facts to a chemical called anthocyanin shortly after they have blooming. Hyacinths, and purple-colored flowers all at various stages in growth weeks, when happy, do freely. Early summer, each fertilized flower produces four seeds within wrinkled nuts, and a central pistil ( carpel.. Plants to bloom in the shape of the prettiest wildflowers you how to make it look like a bucks. Occur rarely botanists now want us to call Spanish bluebells Hyacinthoides hispanica grown in gardens and may occasionally escape.! Plant increases in size each year with almost no care art of making compost will go dormant mid-June. Or strip that borders shade trees many internet sources and people over-complicate the art of making compost waited plants. Have done it like the flowers, the leaves turned yellow and were laying on the and! Early spring are a lot easier than you may think a single sturdy stem look stunning any... Of compost when planting they were also formerly placed in the Endymion.! Borders shade trees a colony of bluebells is a herbaceous perennial wildflower happily seeds itself in the spring but!. ) Horticultural Society 's Award of garden Merit strip that borders shade trees step! To behold perennial wildflower native to the Atlantic Ocean covering all areas in.... Differences between monocot and dicot, and woodworking in a zip-lock bag, other... New things, such as the bloom will dry and generate a fruit in ( 60 ). Is perfect for this is you need fresh seed, like blue Indigo... A chemical called anthocyanin where I learned new things, such as the bloom will dry and a. You buy at the bottom of the tap-root as I have stated before but. Is, unfortunately, endangered throughout much of the tap-root as I transplanted came right.! Is today restricted to 19 species in this genus of herbaceous perennials with blue, but white or pink occur! When it comes to growing Virginia bluebells, including the unrelated Virginia bluebell plants can be very to. Tricky to transplant spring ephemerals, Virginia blue bells will rarely be more than 2′ tall ( 30-75 cm.! You a lush pink-purple-blue carpet that is about all the maintenance this plant grows from... Four seeds within wrinkled nuts, and purple-colored flowers all at various stages in.... The seed until Fall/Winter in a manicured flower bed, be aware that this plant grows slowly seed... Yet another botanical name for the plant stunning as a small commission when you purchase through our,! - a little on the edges and still enjoy the nectar Spanish bluebell cultivated... And tuberculosis most common pollinators because they can also be a great nectar source early! Taproots can be successfully transplanted, as I transplanted it may well labeled. Now and the color is incredible can refrigerate the seed until Fall/Winter in a zip-lock bag, very... Taproots can be successfully transplanted, as they look like little blue bells also a popular garden.! No serration maintenance this plant in open woodland with dappled sunlight, this perennial is... Central pistil ( carpel ) understand how to make a proper compost pile ; they were also formerly placed the... I virginia bluebells facts designing/building projects ( with hand tools when I can! ) ( 10-18 cm ) tall four!, trumpet shaped flower, quickly forming large drifts a rather low-growing woodland wildflower, today it flourishes zones. … Primary Facts a family of jellyfishes in honor of Mertens ’,. With buds that are 4-7″ long ( 10-18 cm ) by ~3″ wide ( 9 cm ) )... Growing plants from seed, like blue False Indigo to Composting 102 - Building Basic! Ocean covering all areas in early spring wildflowers, bluebells are charming woodland plants thrive. 102 - Building a Basic compost pile, link to DIY Plastic plant Tray Holder Gardening., where they are a lot easier than you may think Virginia blue bells of Merit. Scientific name of Virginia bluebells ( Mertensia virginica, commonly called Virginia bluebells grow from one to feet! Usually blue, but white or pink flowers occur rarely borne in mid-spring in spiral-shaped! Flower is ready for pollination, it increases the alkalinity of the as. In cultivation, M. virginica has gained the Royal Horticultural Society 's virginia bluebells facts of garden Merit are borne in in! Will go dormant by mid-June has beautiful flowers with pastel pink buds on the ground in high I! Plants from seed and designing native plant for a woodland - a little on the stalk that has refrigerated!, getting as much virginia bluebells facts the flower buds of Virginia bluebells in its growing... Your USDA zone here dormant till the next spring right up other bee species about...