One of those flowering perennial plants that will always have you looking forward to spring, Mertensia virginica, commonly known as Virginia Bluebells, is a hardy North American native that adds a touch of class to the garden. The compact mound of foliage reaches 12 to 15 inches high and spreads to 18 to 24 inches wide with oval-shaped leaves to 8 inches long that emerge deep purple in early spring, quickly transitioning to blue-green, and then green. In spring, at the tips of almost every stem on the plant are clusters of pink buds that open to delicate, slightly fragrant, bright light blue bell-shaped flowers that the butterflies and beneficial pollinators will appreciate. We hear from gardeners in cool summer climates that it will grow in full sun with ample moisture. Here in our north-central Georgia gardens, we've found that it performs best in partial to full shade, with shade or dappled sunlight in the afternoon. Virginia Bluebells are excellent filler plants around shrubs, trees, and perennial plants, and are stunning in groupings or mass plantings in woodland settings with nutrient-rich, moist but well-drained soil. You might be happy to know the deer and rabbits leave them alone.

Note: Virginia Bluebell will have set seed by summer, and the plant goes dormant. A prolific self-sower, if the flower stems are left on the plant until they've withered, the flower seeds will be dispersed to form new plants and eventually a colony.

Virginia Bluebells are ideal for accenting small garden spaces or groupings and mass plantings in larger woodland settings. They are lovely filler plants among shrubs, trees, and perennials in borders. They are a fine addition to blue gardens, native gardens, cottage gardens, and butterfly and beneficial pollinator gardens. 

Virginia Bluebells are easy to grow in moist, well-drained, organically rich soil and partial to full shade in hot summer climates or full sun or shade in cool summer climates. By summer, they will have set seed, and the plant will go dormant. A prolific self-sower, if the flower stems are left on the plant until they've withered, the flower seeds will be dispersed to form new plants and eventually a colony.

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