Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Khan "Sadh" N. Mostafa (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Genus:
- Mertensia
- Species:
- Mertensia virginica
- USDA Symbol:
- MEVI3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Gnophaela latipennis
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Anthophora villosula, Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Moths:Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) Butterflies:Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bumblebees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers floodplain forests and moist woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification and are best sown fresh in fall. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 weeks, then place @ 20C.