Mertensia virginica Virginia Bluebells

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

Visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website to view the natural range of Mertensia virginica .
Mertensia virginica, Virginia Bluebells bright green leaves with eight blue flowers that are shaped like bells.
Mertensia virginica
Virginia Bluebells eight pale flowers that look like hand bells
Virginia Bluebells - resemble handbells

Cultivation Information Virginia Bluebells


Height - 1–2½' ftFlower Color - BlueBlooms - April to May (lasting three weeks)Sun - Light shade part sun
Hardy Zone -Soil - Moist and fertile Family - Boraginaceae
Buds not quite open on Virgina Bluebells.
Virginia Bluebells are a welcoming sign of spring
Virginia Bluebells that are white, eight white flowers that are shaped like bells.
Surprise! White Mertensia virginica

Wildlife Significance Virginia Bluebells

Nectar Source - Provides early spring nectar for humming birds, bee flies, butterflies, skippers, humming bird moths and Sphinx moths.
Pollinating - Virginia Bluebells is the job for long-tongued bees,honeybees, bumblebees, Anthophorid bees, Mason bees, large Leaf-Cutting bees, and Miner bees.
For more detailed information visit Illinois Wildflower site.
Propagation Notes Virginia Bluebells

Storage - Cold dry - Everwilde Farm's seed packet indicated no pre-treatment needed - slow to germinate
Cold Storage -60 days - I choose to stratify seeds - small zip lock plastic bag with a few table spoons of moistened vermiculite
Seeds planted - 2-8-2012
Sprouted - Nothing as of March 6, 2012Night Temperature - 61 - 63°FDay Temperature - 64 - 65°F -Under florescent lights
Seed Provenance Mertensia virginica
Everwilde Farm's, WI, 2011 - Hickory Road Gardens, WI - 2012