Mertensia virginica (Virginia bluebells)

Bluebells are among the first plants to bloom in spring. Pink buds open to trumpet-shaped sky-blue flowers on 18” plants. Grows best in part sun to shade with moist soils high in organic matter. The plants will spread rapidly under the right conditions. Since the foliage dies back to the ground soon after flowering, interplant with ferns or wild ginger. They prefer bright sun in early spring followed by shade later as the forest canopy expands. This plant is edible, including the flowers. 

Bluebells are native to the central and eastern U.S. The plant can be found in rich, moist woods and on low, wooded hillsides. Bluebells can self-pollinate, but its flowers are cross-pollinated by bumblebees and other long-tongued bees and are visited also by several types of butterflies, skipper, and hummingbird moths, and hummingbirds. Seeds are dispersed by ants. White-tailed deer occasionally browse the foliage. 

The Blockston Branch trail at the Arboretum is the place to see bluebells in their full glory.

Photo by Kellen McCluskey

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