Hostas, astilbe, Solomon seal, ferns, sedges and wild ginger are a few options for companion plants. It is best to plant Virginia Bluebells in Fall or late Winter before they … Solomon’s seal is a great shade plant. While you can divide the plants, Virginia bluebells grow best when left alone. (2.5 cm), in early to mid spring. Virginia bluebells occurs in first and second ... Holmgren, N.H. 1998. Mertensia virginica, commonly called Virginia bluebells, is a native Missouri wildflower that occurs statewide in moist, rich woods and river floodplains.An erect, clump-forming perennial which grows 1-2' tall and features loose, terminal clusters of pendulous, trumpet-shaped, blue flowers (to 1" long) which bloom in early spring. Bluebells enjoy rich, well-drained soils where they can form large colonies over time. Plant Virginia bluebells in the spring or fall in rich, moist soil in partial to full shade. Sign Up For Our Best DealsAnd get $5 off your first qualifying order. Noteworthy Characteristics. Below you’ll find companion plants for hot, dry sun, plants for moist soil and plants for the shade. Planting: Plant transplants or dormant rhizomes in early spring as soon as the ground is workable. Grow Virginia bluebells alongside tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other petite spring bulbs. If you plant Bluebells under trees, they will provide a beautiful carpet of blue flowers being protected from sun by shade thrown by the leaves. These native North American wildflowers can be found growing in wet, precious woods, reaching heights of 18-24 inches tall. Spacing: Space plants 12-18 inches apart for a lush look that imitates wild populations. Find mixtures for your region, or for special uses such as dry areas, partial shade, attracting animals, low growing, and more. My favorite companion is the deciduous American maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum, Z 3 Virginia bluebells have rounded and gray-green leaves, borne on stems up to 24 in (60 cm) tall. Both Bluebells and Hardy Begonias will grow here. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. If you have ever tried growing plants in the neighborhood of a Black Walnut tree you would know what a tiresome task it is to find plants tolerant of the toxic Juglone root system. If you divide in the spring you risk disrupting the bloom. Illustrated Companion to Gleason and Cronquist's Manual. Soil: Moist soil, rich in organic matter is best for Virginia bluebells. Learn about varieties which help to replenish nutrients to your soil. Plants of the Chicago Region, 4th ed. Do your best not to disturb established plants. I’ve put together a list of plants that I think make ideal companions to this beautiful, arching perennial. Because of the colors Lilies generally possess (yellow, pink, orange, red and white, with all the possible colors in between), blue and purple-flowering perennial plants make favorite neighbors (Salvia, Echinops, etc. Hosta are a good choice for companion planting, as are ferns. In addition to being beautiful, Virginia bluebells are real garden problem solvers! You’d think that something so ephemeral, that disappears so early in the season, would find itself overlooked with the myriad choices of garden flowers available. One of the earliest spring bloomers, Mertensia virginica (Virginian Bluebells) is a compact, clump-forming herbaceous perennial boasting terminal clusters of nodding, trumpet-shaped violet-blue flowers, 1 in. For a more natural effect, plant small clumps of bluebells together with irregular spacing between clumps. As microbes break down the mulch, they’ll incorporate organic matter into the soil. They last for many weeks and attract bees, butterflies and moths. Still, Vital Pet Health and Blue Cross for Pets in the U.K. caution our canine friends to avoid this popular plant in the British woodlands. One of the most beautiful species of spring ephemerals are Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica). Dividing & Transplanting: Divide and transplant in the fall when plants are fully dormant. The scientific names of plants are supposed to make our lives easier as gardeners, giving precision where there would otherwise be cha… Watering: Provide Virginia bluebells with regular water. You can cut back the plants when the foliage has turned completely yellow/brown. Because the plants are dormant during the summer, plant them near or among late-emerging perennials that will fill in the gaps left when plants die back.Hosta are a good choice for companion planting, as are ferns. According to the ASPCA, Virginia Bluebells are non-toxic to cats, dogs and horses. 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