Mertensia virginica aka Virginia Bluebell

Mertensia virginica, commonly known as Virginia bluebells, Virginia cowslip, lungwort oysterleaf, or Roanoke bells, is a stunning spring ephemeral plant belonging to the Boraginaceae family. Native to eastern North America, this compact herbaceous perennial showcases bell-shaped sky-blue flowers that add a touch of beauty to its surroundings. With branched stems reaching a height of 45cm, M. virginica features oval, greyish leaves and clusters of nodding, funnel-shaped violet-blue flowers that measure 2cm in length. These enchanting wildflowers bloom during the spring and enter a dormant phase in mid-summer. They prefer to grow in nutrient-rich, moist soils found in floodplain forests and thickets. Virginia bluebells can be easily propagated by sowing fresh seeds or dividing plants in the spring.