Bluebells, Virginian Bluebells, Blue and Pink Ladies, Blue Iris, Chiming Bells, Kentucky Bluebells, Roanoke Bells, Smooth Lungwort, Tree Lungwort, Virginian Cowslip, Virginian Spiderwort, Mertensia pulmonarioides
One of the earliest spring bloomers, Mertensia virginica (Virginian Bluebells) is a compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial boasting terminal clusters of nodding, trumpet-shaped violet-blue flowers, 1 in. (2.5 cm), in early to mid-spring. Opening from pink flower buds, the charming blossoms emerge pink before turning sky-blue. They last for many weeks and attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and moths. The foliage of smooth, oval, soft blue-green leaves, 4 in. long (10 cm), dies to the ground by mid-summer as the plant goes dormant. Combine Virginian Bluebells with summer annuals or shade-loving perennials to fill the gaps left by the dormant plants. Enthralled by its unusual beauty, this wildflower has captured the hearts of many gardeners. Easy to grow, this spring ephemeral deserves a spot in the spring garden for the pleasure it provides.
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 7 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Boraginaceae |
| Common names | Blue Iris, Bluebells, Virginian Cowslip, Virginian Spiderwort |
| Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid) |
| Height | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky |
| Tolerance | Full Shade, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
| Hardiness |
3 - 8 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
1 - 7 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Boraginaceae |
| Common names | Blue Iris, Bluebells, Virginian Cowslip, Virginian Spiderwort |
| Exposure | Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid) |
| Height | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing | 12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
| Native Plants | United States, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky |
| Tolerance | Full Shade, Rabbit |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
How many Mertensia virginica (Virginian Bluebells) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Mertensia virginica (Virginian Bluebells) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
