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When woodland flowers make their spring debut, they are a most welcome sight for nature lovers. In my neck of the woods, no flower is as showy as the Virginia Bluebell.
Here in Illinois, as in most of the eastern half of the United States and Canada, the Virginia Bluebell is a splash of color unlike any other woodland flower. Found generally in colonies during mid-spring, this native perennial stands about one to two and a half feet tall. It has branching, oval, oblong leaves that are smooth and somewhat delicate in weight. The beautiful baby-blue flower clusters measure about one inch long.
As its name implies, each flower of the bluebell is shaped like a bell, the tubular corolla widens towards the five fused lobes. While the open bells proudly display their blue color, the closed buds range from pink to purple, a tease of what’s to come. Once in a while, you’ll find variants in the flower color, including pink and white. Every year I’d walk the woods in search of what I called an “albino” bluebell: a bluebell with white flowers. Upon finding this treasure, I’d dig it up and move it to a safer spot in the garden or woods, a place where spring floods would not wash it away.
Virginia bluebells grow best in light shade and moist but not wet conditions. I developed my love for the bluebell in one of its natural habitats, a moist woodland colony along a creek. Often I have transplanted bluebells to a shade garden near the house where they could be enjoyed more often.
I have read that the Virginia Bluebell can be propagated by seed[1], but I have honestly never looked for, nor collected seeds. Clearly this is why the plant colonizes so well. The Virginia Bluebell has a long taproot that often makes it difficult to transplant. I have found it best to transplant either very early in the season, or after the plant has bloomed. When digging this plant, dig at a four- to five-inch depth and take as much soil as possible. If you don’t have a patch of these beauties available, you may find this plant at nurseries and vendors in the shade plants section.
Like many woodland flowers, Virginia Bluebells are ephemeral, that is to say they just don’t last that long. If you’re putting this in your shade garden, be sure to place it near a plant that will be growing strong in the second half of the year. By mid-season, the Virginia Bluebell should be yellowed and going dormant (don’t forget where you planted it!).
In the home garden, the Virginia Bluebell is a nice addition under a small tree, in a shady rock garden or overlooking a pond. Although it is a pretty pairing with many garden flowers blooming at the same time, I’m sorry to say that the Virginia Bluebell does not make a very good cut flower. If you do wish to use it in an arrangement, it is best used immediately.
In this Plant Files image from “buttoneer,” colonized Virginia Bluebells are a stunning sight along the waters edge. If you have the right habitat for this beauty, you’ll be assured that a splash of cool and calming color will come your way!
The majority of image here are from Dave's Garden members and Plant Files.
About Marna Towne
I am one of those fortunate individuals who grew up on rural land that has been in my family for decades. My parents and grandparents were avid gardeners who gladly shared their love of gardening with me. Today I enjoy a small yard in town with my husband, two dogs and a cat who is in charge of us all.
Posted by geraniumkid (from Buena Park, CA) on August 6, 2008 at 6:37 PM:
Hello,
I tend to need plants that are very forgiving. I do best with cacti and geraniums -- hence my user name. However, I have had good success and many pleasurable blooms from a Texas Bluebells plant. I would like to keep it living, and so would like to know the procedure for trimming back when the blossoms are gone. So far, it keeps sending out new shoots and blossoms. I just want to keep it healthy. Thanking you in advance.
...
Posted by geraniumkid (from Buena Park, CA) on August 8, 2008 at 7:43 PM:
Still hoping for some advice about keeping this plant healthy. Thought I would include some pictures as well.
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Posted by geraniumkid (from Buena Park, CA) on August 8, 2008 at 7:46 PM:
Here's another image of the so-called Texas Bluebell hanging out with some geraniums.
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on August 8, 2008 at 7:57 PM:
Hi,
Sorry for the delay, I was hoping someone would answer as I have no experience with Texas bluebells.
Posted by BirdieBlue (from Winston Salem, NC) on July 9, 2008 at 6:22 PM:
I adore your writing, and think this is a heavenly flower. I can't imagine how I've missed it, since my front yard is a woodland wildflower garden! Hopefully I can locate some babies of this beauty, as she simply must have a home next to mine!
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on July 9, 2008 at 6:47 PM:
:D How wonderful! You will love it.
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Subject: 4 Sanders Baptism
Posted by loveisaverb (from Dearborn, MI) on May 28, 2008 at 1:43 PM:
Suggestions 4 Ro
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Subject: Bluebells
Posted by penquist (from Ottawa, IL) on April 29, 2008 at 4:54 PM:
Marna,
Thanks for the great article! Although I also live in Illinois, I must confess I saw my first bluebells just last year. My mother had many growing in the ravine on her property. I transplanted a few and was thrilled when they came up this year. I'll have to move them again though, as, based on your article, I think it's a little too sunny where I put them.
Peggy
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on April 29, 2008 at 5:15 PM:
Peggy,
That's great that you've got some started. How did they do last year? I think you'll find they will do better in the shadier areas and their color will be better too.
Marna
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Subject: bluebells
Posted by Ellival (from Davis, CA) on April 28, 2008 at 8:41 PM:
Does anyone know if the Virginia Bluebell would like it in the northern central valley of California? We have very warm weather in the summer, but in spring, it is mild until the end of May. I have several micro-climates in my yard, and grow ferns and dicentra in the shade of a huge pine. Do you think it would survive? We also have a great drip/spray system.
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on April 29, 2008 at 5:35 PM:
Hmmm, that's a pretty good question. And I'm not sure that I can answer it.
But I have read that they will grow anywhere in the USDA zones 2-8. [HYPERLINK@www.easywildflowers.com]
I do not see any vendors refusing to ship to California either. That would be my main concern, introducing a non-native plant to your area.
You might do better to plant a relative from the mertensia family that is native to your area. [HYPERLINK@plants.usda.gov]
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Subject: Unsuccessful so far
Posted by birder17 (from Jackson, MO) on April 28, 2008 at 8:10 PM:
I have purchased bluebells a couple of times and they don't come back. I have them under my deck steps. After reading the article, I think they may have been in "too much" shade. I am going to try to grow them again. Any suggestions?
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on April 29, 2008 at 5:42 PM:
Well, you might be right regarding your choice of location for not only light issues. Keep in mind that they need sufficient moisture but not wet. Maybe the deck prevents them from getting enough water. Or maybe the runoff from the deck is too much water.
If your soil is clay or sand, you might think about amending it to create a more loamy area.
Lastly, you might want to try a different nursery or grower. Perhaps they are not supplying you with a proper plant.
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Posted by birder17 (from Jackson, MO) on April 30, 2008 at 9:05 AM:
Do you have suggestions as to a good nursery? Is there a time NOt to plant them?
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on April 30, 2008 at 9:19 AM:
There are some vendors in the Plant Database with this item for sale.
I have always transplanted them from family land. The two schools of thought are to transplant when they are first poking through the ground or when the are just about dormant. Do you have any friends or family with woodland land where these might be growing?
There are a couple of vendors with this plant on sale. Locally I would look for a center that specializes in natives in your area, such as this one in Jefferson City: [HYPERLINK@www.mowildflowers.net]
Some vendors offer this bare root, so it is possible you could find a trade. If I have time I'll see if I can send you a few at the end of May for postage.
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Posted by birder17 (from Jackson, MO) on May 6, 2008 at 6:18 PM:
Wow, that would be great. JCity is about a 3 hr drive for me! I know you will be busy however. This is Prime Gardening time!
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on May 6, 2008 at 8:17 PM:
I see lots of vendors sell this plant by bare root so perhaps it won't be so hard to do. They are finishing up the bloom in the next week here, so it will be a little bit. Send me a Dmail to remind me!!!
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Subject: I just discovered my own little colony
Posted by gloriag (from Floyd, VA) on April 28, 2008 at 4:02 PM:
I moved here Thanksgiving. Now things are popping up all over. One morning I noticed the loveliest color of blue and ran out to see what it was. I could have fainted: my own clump of Virginia bluebells- one of my fondest wishes come true. I may try to trap some seeds by putting a piece of nylon hose around the flower head to catch the falling seeds. I have so many places where I would love to see them. Thanks for the great photos and good write up.
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on April 28, 2008 at 4:43 PM:
Nice!!! Congratulations.
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Subject: mertensia virginica
Posted by hymenocallis (from Auburn, AL) on April 28, 2008 at 3:49 PM:
Here in central Alabama my bluebells are just finishing flowering. Of all the plants I grow this one catches the eye of everyone who sees it. Many questions are raised about it as most folks here have never seen it.
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Posted by Mrs_Ed (from Whiteside County, IL) on April 29, 2008 at 5:17 PM:
Yes, I suppose that is true of many woodland flowers that are of the beaten track. Sometimes don't you just feel like you have your own secret little wildflower club?
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Subject: Wonderful Article!
Posted by pelletory (from Marlton, NJ) on April 28, 2008 at 7:56 AM:
Thanks so much! I really enjoyed it! Their so beautiful!
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Posted by critterologist (from Frederick, MD) on April 28, 2008 at 2:33 PM:
Thanks for a well written and informative article... the photos you included are outstanding! What a treat!
Now I have to find the right spot for bluebells in my yard... :-)
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Posted by irisMA (from South Hamilton, MA) on April 28, 2008 at 4:36 PM:
Since forget-me nots are now banned in MA there should be a trek to blue bells instead.
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on April 28, 2008 at 5:39 PM:
Forget-me-nots are banned? Maybe THAT's why mine keep forgetting to come up? Sadly, no spot in my yard (yet) would be amenable to these beautiful flowers. Thank you for the introduction, Marna.
As its name implies, each flower of the bluebell is shaped like a bell, the tubular corolla widens towards the five fused lobes. While the open bells proudly display their blue color, the closed buds range from pink to purple, a tease of what’s to come. Once in a while, you’ll find variants in the flower color, including 
I have read that the Virginia Bluebell can be propagated by seed[1], but I have honestly never looked for, nor collected seeds. Clearly this is why the plant colonizes so well. The Virginia Bluebell has a long taproot that often makes it difficult to transplant. I have found it best to transplant either very early in the season, or after the plant has bloomed. When digging this plant, dig at a four- to five-inch depth and take as much soil as possible. If you don’t have a patch of these beauties available, you may find this plant at nurseries and 
