Virginia Bluebells Ring in the Season of Spring

            After three long months of winter, we all look forward to some sign of spring. For me, that sign is the emergence of woodland wildflowers in my front yard shade garden. One of the most conspicuous early risers is Virginia bluebells, Mertensia virginica. This member of the forget-me-not family, the Boraginaceae, loves rich, moist woodland soil and shade. In Wisconsin, it is found mostly in the southern counties but is scattered throughout the state. Virginia bluebells is one of two species of Mertensia native to the Badger state, the other being Mertensia paniculata, the Northern bluebells, which thrives in the boreal forest. Though they are similar in appearance, the leaves of Virginia bluebells are hairless while those of Northern bluebells are hairy on both sides of the leaf.

            The genus Mertensia honors Franz Carl Mertens (1764-1831), a professor of botany in Bremen, Germany. The taxonomy of the genus Mertensia is less straightforward. Some botanists classify less than 20 species, while others have recorded over 100. Best guess is that there are between 40 and 60 species, many of which are considered threatened in their native range because of habitat destruction. The problem in classifying is that the plant is native to most of North America and much of Asia, but the species are difficult to distinguish from one another. Many are endemic to minute areas which are isolated from each other. Taxonomically, they may be similar in appearance, but reproductive isolation is one criterion for species classification. Most North American species are indigenous to very small areas of the Rocky Mountains.

            Mertensia virginica is the exception, being found from Kansas in the west to Georgia, Alabama, and Maine in the east, and north into Canada. Hardiness ranges from zones 3 to 9. In Wisconsin it emerges in early April with deep purple leaves that quickly turn to blue-green or gray-green as the plant reaches its maximum height of two feet. Leaves are two to eight inches long, with the longer leaves at the base of the plant. Stems are nearly hollow and very fragile, with the appearance of a succulent plant. Virginia bluebells wastes no time in forming flowers. Loose clusters of tubular pink buds open into trumpet-shaped sky-blue flowers, rarely pink or white. Flowering is completed by mid-May. Mertensia virginica has the largest flowers of any species in the genus. Pollination is completed by bees, which often perforate the tube in order to reach the nectar. Butterflies and hummingbird moths also facilitate pollination. As the flowers fade, each will produce four nutlets. If soil conditions are to its liking, the plants will colonize.

            Virginia bluebells is an ephemeral plant, meaning that the foliage dies down and gradually fades away after the seeds are dispersed. Since a colony of Virginia bluebells can leave quite a void in your garden, I recommend that other shade plants share its garden space. Hostas, ferns, coralbells, and epimedium make great companions. Allowing the plant to go dormant on its own may create a messy appearance in the garden, so as soon as the leaves begin to turn yellow, I cut my plants down to the ground. To date, this has not adversely affected them; in fact, I’ve had plenty to give away to fellow shade gardeners. The fleeting nature of the plant may make it difficult to find in garden centers, though. Get there early in the spring so the plant will still be visible in the pot.

            Virginia bluebells are easy to grow, and their early emergence is welcome after a long winter. It performs best in moist soil. Some references say that the plant will gradually fade away in dry soil, but I have had no issues with my plants, despite their being planted under shallow-rooted Norway maples. The gnarled, black-coated tuberous roots extend deep into the soil and help it to resist drought.  Mertensia has no significant pests and is not favored by deer. It will quickly be favored by you, however, if you add it to your shade garden.