Common Name: Virginia Bluebells
Botanical Name: Mertensia virginiana
Bloom Time: March, April, May
Bloom Description: Blue-purple trumpet-shaped flowers hang in clusters in early spring. Blooms fade to shades of pink as they mature.
Trail/Garden Location: Planted along the East Terrace, at the Tulip Tree Shelter and on the Tulip Tree Trail
Garden Uses: This early spring ephemeral is perfect to naturalize in moist woodlands with part sun to shade. An outstanding plant when used in a mass planting. Not a plant to use as a border due to the fact that the plant will go dormant in summer. Found in the northern Ozark region in Arkansas.
Wildlife Benefits: Used as an early source of nectar.
Leaf Type: The large, basal leaves are blue-green and emerge prior to the blooms.