Nature Center of Charleston
Mertensia virginica (L.) Pers. ex Link
Virginia bluebells
Boraginaceae (Borage Family)
Erect plant with smooth gray-green foliage and nodding clusters of pink buds that open into light blue trumpet-shaped flowers. The 1-2 ft., branched and arching stems of Virginia bluebells bear
pendulous, terminal clusters of lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers. Large, gray-green,
oval leaves line the stems of this perennial.
When it grows in masses, this species makes a spectacular show, especially in the Midwest. A smaller, trailing, rosy-pink-flowered species, Sea Lungwort (
M. maritima), occurs on beaches from Newfoundland to Massachusetts. Tall Lungwort (
M. paniculata), a western species with a hairy
stem, extends eastward into Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa, and Minnesota. The
genus is named for the German botanist Franz Karl Mertens (1764-1831).
Image Gallery:
14 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Herb Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , DE , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NJ , NY , NC , OH , PA , TN , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: ON ,
QC Native Distribution: NY & s. Ont. to e. MN, s. to NC, AR & e. KS; naturalized northeastward
Native Habitat: Moist woods & clearings; river bottoms. Species at risk in Ontario.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Rich, moist, sometimes rocky, soils.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Last Update: 2012-10-03
