April Perennial of the Month-Virginia bluebells

I like to think of Virginia bluebells-Mertensia virginica, as misguided college kids who spend their spring break in St. Louis instead of Florida. Most of the year, they are off somewhere else (brushing up on Botanical Latin, no doubt) until spring-then they show up in hoards, ready to party.

The blooms are indeed a party on a stem in early spring. The tiny nodding buds start out pink and then turn into blue trumpet-shaped flowers. Virginia bluebells grow 18-24″ high, forming a small clump, leading to a small mass. This native needs partial to full shade and prefers moist, rich soils. Bluebells are a welcome addition to any shade garden, providing color and interest long before your hostas or ferns wake up.

Why I love this plant-it’s a native. No real diseases or pests. It changes colors from pink to blue. It blooms early, before other shade-loving plants. It takes its turn, then disappears.

What’s not so great? Like a college student, it can have a mind of its own and wander off. You will find occasional strays in walkway cracks or other areas where they decide to spend their spring break. They do go dormant by summer, and unlike most spring-break tourists, bluebells leave no traces behind that they were even there. If you are planting in an area where they reside, keep this in mind before you dig them up accidentally.

Words and photos by Jo Batzer

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