Plant Sale 2025 — Mertensia virginica

Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells) is also known as Virginia-cowslip, Roanoke-bells, Lungwort, and Oysterleaf. Growing up to 2 feet, Mertensia virginica thrive in part shade to shade in moist, rich soil. The leaves are a lovely shade of purple as they break ground quickly turning a medium green. The showy nodding cluster of pink buds change to blue bell-shaped. Occasionally you might see pink or white flowers instead of blue. April blooms last about three weeks along stream banks, moist woodlands and floodplains. Mertensia virginica are spring ephemerals and disappear in early summer. Deer and rabbits usually don’t bother it.