Virginia Bluebells

Mertensia virginica

Virginia Bluebells are planted in several areas in the side lot.

Bluebells prefer rich, well-drained but moist soil. Because it is a spring bloomer, it should do fine in our no-watering side lot since rain is usually plentiful in the fall and spring and it is dormant during the summer when rain is often scarce, reappearing the next spring. Blooms last for many weeks.

Bluebells can form large colonies over time, but they are not self-pollinating, and only the largest bees have the ability to push their way up the flower's tube while butterflies and moths are light enough to perch on the rim of the flower while getting nectar.

The picture below is from the Internet; they did not make it in our yard.