Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
[mer-TEN-see-ah ver-JIN-ih-kah]
Deciduous Perennial Clumping in the Boraginaceae Family
Buy Virginia Bluebells
Size
Notes
Price
Availability
#1 gallon
Field
$12.11
Likely available
4/3 - 4/6
5/1 - 5/4
5/8 - 5/11
#1 gallon
Field
$12.11
Likely available
4/3 - 4/6
5/1 - 5/4
5/8 - 5/11
Virginia Bluebells enchant with their delicate, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in vibrant shades of blue, creating a stunning carpet of color in spring. These perennial wildflowers thrive in woodland areas adding charm to natural landscapes.
Mertensia virginica, commonly called Virginia bluebells, is a charming, native woodland perennial that can bring a stunning burst of spring color to shaded garden areas. In early spring, the plant produces clusters of nodding, bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, lavender, and pink that rise above the large, soft green leaves. As the flowers fade, the foliage goes dormant by midsummer, making Virginia bluebells an excellent companion plant for summer-flowering perennials and annuals. This wildflower prefers moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil and partial to full shade, thriving under the dappled light of deciduous trees. Virginia bluebells spread slowly by rhizomes, forming gentle colonies that can be divided and transplanted. Their delicate, yet bold blooms make them a beloved addition to woodland gardens, naturalized areas, and partially shaded perennial beds and borders.
Pros
One of Illinois' most attractive native shade-loving plants
Award of Garden Merit
Cons
As a spring ephemeral, they die back by summer, their rhizomes lurking beneath the ground until next spring
Like most ephemerals, they are hard to buy after May... and at that point you may get what looks like an empty pot
Virginia Bluebells do not perform well as cut flowers — enjoy them outside!
Plant Data
Mature Size
18 - 24 inches
tall. 18 - 24 inches
wide.
Sun Exposure
Full Shade - Full Shade
Moisture Tolerance
Medium -
Zones
3a - 9b
(Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags
Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Filler, Full Shade, Good for Beginners, Good for Mass Planting, Groundcover, Illinois Native, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Native to North America, Naturalizing, Perennial, Plant of Merit, Pond, Shade Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Spring Ephemeral, Wet Site Tolerant, Woodland Garden
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants
Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.
Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.
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Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.
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About Ordering From The Plant Club
To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.
We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region.
It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.
Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!