How To Grow And Care For Virginia Bluebells

Spring ephemerals, Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) bloom a carpet of lavender or light blue, pendulous, trumpet-shaped flowers above green foliage. These native wildflowers are moisture-loving plants that grow about one to two feet tall. They self-seed readily, often found as colonies under deciduous trees in woodland areas, stream banks, and river flood plains. 

In March, dark purple, spoon-shaped foliage emerges, but it turns light green when mature. The plant quickly grows and blooms in April. Five fused petals form an inch-long trumpet-shaped flower, with clusters of five to 20 appearing in pendulous clusters above the green foliage. The plants form an intense carpet of blue flowers. Up close, the buds are pink, opening up to blue or lavender color with a two-tone effect.

The sweetly scented flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds but are not used as cut flowers. The plants are deer and rabbit-resistant. In May, the leaves die back and by June the plant is gone, dormant, until next year. Other plants such as ferns, hostas, or annuals need to be planted to fill in the gaps. Plant in the fall or after the last frost in the spring.

Plant Attributes

Virginia Bluebells Care

This perennial needs moist but well-drained soil, high in organic matter. It is a shade plant typically found in the woodlands. It blends well with other spring-blooming bulbs. When it dies back in the summer, the vacant spots should either be covered with foliage of other woodland-type plants or with annuals. There is no need to fertilize Virginia bluebells. They self-seed but are not invasive. However, they develop colonies and are best used in natural designs. Typically, Virginia bluebells are sold as bare root, dormant plants, i.e., not in containers in the garden center. However, one can purchase seed packets. 

Light

Because this plant grows and blooms before deciduous trees leaf out, they are found in areas with weak sunlight so they are considered shade plants.  

Soil

Virginia bluebells need moist, well-drained soil, high in organic matter. 

Water

This plant needs moisture, typical of a spring woodland area. Provide consistent watering to keep the soil moist but not soggy during the first year until the plant is established.

Temperature And Humidity

This wildflower needs humid, cool spring temperatures and woodland environments. It is hardy in zones 3-9 and dies back as temperatures and humidity rise.

Fertilizer

If grown in an area that is high in organic matter, Virginia bluebells do not need to be fertilized. Adding compost to the soil at planting can promote flowering, provide nutrients, and help the soil retain moisture.

Types Of Virginia Bluebells

This wildflower is native. There are no other types. Rarely, white flowers may appear in the colony due to a genetic mutation, but these types cannot be purchased commercially. 

Pruning

There is no need to prune or deadhead these plants.

Propagating Virginia Bluebells

One can dig and divide Virginia bluebells as they begin the process of becoming dormant in May or June before they completely disappear. Do not dig up wild Virginia bluebells to plant in your garden. They are threatened in their native areas due to habitat destruction. To propagate plants from your garden:

1. Use a gardening fork to gently dig around the perimeter of the plant.
2. Lift the plant, and brush off the soil.
3. Look for the roots, which are rhizomes or underground stems. Pull or cut them apart so there is still at least one node (where the foliage would emerge).
4. Replant and water. 

How To Grow Virginia Bluebells From Seed

If you already have the plants harvest the fresh seed from the plants and broadcast where you want them. New plants will emerge the following spring but it will take a few years to have flowers. 

If you harvest and store that seed to sow later, you have to stratify the seeds. Give them a cold, moist period to germinate. Mix with moist sand and store in a bag in the fridge for six weeks. Then pot up in flats indoors about six weeks before the average last frost. Cover lightly with the potting mix, and water, and place in a brightly lit warm place or under lights. After frost, plant outside. 

The other option is to winter sow. This is a process where you sow seeds in moist soil in plastic jugs in January, leaving the jugs outside in the winter. The winter weather will provide the stratification. In the late spring, open the jugs and transplant the plants. 

Potting and Repotting Virginia Bluebells

Virginia bluebells can be grown in pots, though since they die off after blooming, they are better for outdoor gardens. To pot, choose a container with drainage holes and use a potting mix that retains moisture. Place the pot in a shaded spot outdoors and keep the soil evenly moist. Repot to a larger pot when the growth becomes crowded.

Overwintering

The plants will be dormant in the winter, so nothing needs to be done to overwinter them. 

Common Pests & Plant Disease

Virginia bluebells are not susceptible to pests or diseases, except for slugs. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth to stop the slugs. If the soil is not well drained, the roots may rot. 

How To Get Virginia Bluebells To Bloom

These plants are reliable bloomers so nothing extra needs to be done to get them to bloom. There is no need to deadhead. These plants will only bloom for a few weeks, and they cannot be made to bloom longer and into the summer. Virginia bluebells grown from seed don't bloom until the second or third year. They do not like dry soil or being transplanted. If transplanting, it may take a year or two for them to re-establish and bloom again. Avoid dry soil by giving them consistent moisture.

Common Problems With Virginia Bluebells

As native wildflowers, these plants are generally trouble-free and easy to grow. However, one has to understand their lifecycle and native conditions. Here are a few common issues: 

Leaves Turning Brown

The plant will naturally die back in May and June and become dormant in the summer. Do not fear, it should re-emerge in March. Powdery mildew can cause the leaves to brown. Inspect the leaves for a powdery white coating. Remove diseased and damaged leaves, and apply a fungicide to prevent the rest of the plants from becoming infected. Good air circulation between plants and adequate light can help prevent this.

Seeds Don't Germinate

The seeds are a challenge because they need to be stratified, and they need a cool, moist period in order to germinate. Mix with moist sand and store in a bag in the fridge for six weeks. Then pot up in flats indoors about six weeks before the average last frost. Cover lightly with the potting mix, water, and place in a brightly lit warm place or under lights. After frost, plant outside. If starting seeds continues to be challenging, purchase the dormant bare roots from a nursery to plant in the garden in the spring. 

Plants Didn't Come Back

If plants were doing well one year and did not come back the next year, it could be because something has changed. For example, the soil is not draining well and there is so much moisture, the roots rotted. Try re-establishing a colony in another well-drained location.