Virginia bluebell - Mertensia virginica

The Virginia bluebell is a deciduous, spring ephemerals that seem to be here one day and gone the next. They grow in woodlands and deep forests and are perfect for your garden. It is a great treat to get to see these blooms before they are gone for the season! Don’t chase them at your local arboretum. Grow your own and you will never miss them again.

Plant Details - Virginia Bluebell

Family: Borage (Boraginaceae)

Light Requirement: Shade

Water Needs: Average/Moist

Height: 1 - 2 ft.

Growth Rate: Fast

Bloom Time: Spring

Flower Color: Blue

Wildlife Value: Attracts bees and butterflies

Landscape Uses and Maintenance - Virginia Bluebell

With its small, compact size, you can fit the Virginia bluebell anywhere in your garden. Great for the border, rock garden, and mixed with other shade-loving perennials, like Dutchman’s breeches, trillium, or toad lily.

This plant enjoys dappled sunlight, so keep it shaded rather than scorching in full sun. With beautiful, sloping flowers, they are a wonderful native addition to your garden.

A low maintenance favorite! This is a great plant for all levels of gardeners indeed: from the eager novice to the more experienced. This plant will thrive in rich, well-drained soil, and when once established needs very little care. No fertilization necessary.

Get the best bang for your buck -- good news for the frugal gardener! This is a colonizer that will make larger clumps in the garden over time, spreading over an area.

Noteworthy Characteristics

When the leaves of the Virginia bluebell initially emerge, they are a deep purple that fades into a lush green. They are quickly followed by the growth of gently sloping flower stems that erupt with pastel blooms.

These flowers begin as a soft pink, change to purple, and finally bloom into a gorgeous, powdery sky blue. Blue is the rarest color in nature – stun your friends when they visit! Some varieties may include white.

As spring ephemerals, they bloom in the springtime and then disappear for the rest of the season. Interplant with Solomon’s seal or ferns to reduce the empty spaces left behind when the leaves die back.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Bloom Season

Spring

Bloom/Foliage Color

Blue

Care

Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica) thrives in well-drained, rich soil. Water regularly to keep the dirt wet, particularly during dry periods. Remove spent blooms to encourage new growth. Separate plants every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.

Plant Reproduction

Virginia bluebells spread through rhizomes and self-seeding.

How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Perennials, Tubers, and Bulbs

Bare root perennials, tubers, and bulbs are an easy and economical way to jumpstart your garden with lasting beauty. These dormant plants should be planted in early spring or fall while the soil is cool and workable. Before planting, soak bare roots in water for 1–2 hours to rehydrate them. Choose a location based on the plant’s light needs—most flowering types prefer full sun, while others thrive in partial shade.

For bare root perennials, dig a shallow hole and spread the roots out naturally, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface. For tubers and bulbs, plant with the pointed side facing up at a depth about two to three times their height. Cover with soil, gently press down, and water thoroughly.

Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy) until new growth appears. Add mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid covering the crown or bulb tops. Once established, these plants require little maintenance—just seasonal watering, occasional dividing, and deadheading or pruning as needed. With proper care, they’ll return and thrive year after year.

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