Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica ), are herbaceous perennials native to the eastern United States from New York south to Georgia and across to Tennessee, and skipping all of the New England states except Maine and Massachusetts. Hardy between USDA zones 3 and 8, they are members of the Boraginaceae or Forget-me-not family, and often grow wild in woodlands.
Virginia bluebells prefer moist, rich soils and part to full shade. Growing to a height of 1 to 2 feet, the large, one-inch long showy trumpet-shaped flowers grow in loose pendulous clusters and are a beautiful shade of blue. The buds are pink in color and the flowers bloom from late March to early June. The foliage dies down in mid-summer when the plant goes dormant so it’s necessary to overplant or mix with other perennials such as ferns.
Virginia bluebells also go by the name of Virginia Cowslip, Lungwort Oysterleaf, and Roanoke Bells. They are easy to grow and look best when massed together, which is how they typically grow in the wild. Plant Virginia bluebells 9 to 12 inches apart. If planted too close together they will become too crowded.
The Virginia bluebell is listed as threatened in Michigan and exploitably vulnerable in New York.