Virginia Bluebells
Scientific Name: Mertensia virginica (L.) Pers. ex Link
Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Asteridae / Lamiales / Boraginaceae / Mertensia Roth/ Mertensia virginica (L.) Pers. ex Link
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Usda Symbol | MEVI3 |
| Group | Dicot |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Growth Habits | Forb/herb |
| Native Locations | MEVI3 |
Plant Guide
Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Virginia Bluebells is planted.
Plant Traits
Growth Requirements
| Moisture Use | High |
|---|---|
| Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils | No |
| Adapted to Fine Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Medium Textured Soils | Yes |
| Anaerobic Tolerance | Low |
| CaCO3 Tolerance | Medium |
| Cold Stratification Required | No |
| Drought Tolerance | Low |
| Fertility Requirement | High |
| Fire Tolerance | None |
| Frost Free Days, Minimum | 100 |
| Hedge Tolerance | None |
| pH, Maximum | 8.0 |
| pH, Minimum | 4.5 |
| Planting Density per Acre, Maxim | 19360 |
| Planting Density per Acre, Minim | 3450 |
| Precipitation, Maximum | 54 |
| Precipitation, Minimum | 26 |
| Root Depth, Minimum (inches) | 4 |
| Salinity Tolerance | None |
| Shade Tolerance | Tolerant |
| Temperature, Minimum (°F) | -28 |
Morphology/Physiology
| After Harvest Regrowth Rate | Slow |
|---|---|
| Shape and Orientation | Erect |
| Toxicity | None |
| Active Growth Period | Spring |
| Bloat | None |
| Coppice Potential | No |
| Fall Conspicuous | No |
| Fire Resistant | No |
| Flower Color | Blue |
| Flower Conspicuous | Yes |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Foliage Porosity Summer | Moderate |
| Foliage Porosity Winter | Porous |
| Fruit/Seed Conspicuous | No |
| Resprout Ability | No |
| Nitrogen Fixation | None |
| Low Growing Grass | No |
| Lifespan | Moderate |
| Leaf Retention | No |
| Known Allelopath | No |
| Height, Mature (feet) | 2.3 |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Growth Form | Single Stem |
| Foliage Texture | Coarse |
Reproduction
| Vegetative Spread Rate | None |
|---|---|
| Small Grain | No |
| Seedling Vigor | Medium |
| Seed Spread Rate | Slow |
| Fruit/Seed Persistence | No |
| Seed per Pound | 225000 |
| Propagated by Tubers | No |
| Propagated by Sprigs | No |
| Propagated by Sod | No |
| Propagated by Seed | Yes |
| Propagated by Corm | No |
| Propagated by Container | No |
| Propagated by Bulb | No |
| Propagated by Bare Root | Yes |
| Fruit/Seed Period End | Summer |
| Fruit/Seed Period Begin | Spring |
| Commercial Availability | Routinely Available |
| Bloom Period | Spring |
| Propagated by Cuttings | No |
Suitability/Use
| Veneer Product | No |
|---|---|
| Pulpwood Product | No |
| Post Product | No |
| Palatable Human | No |
| Palatable Graze Animal | Medium |
| Palatable Browse Animal | Medium |
| Nursery Stock Product | No |
| Naval Store Product | No |
| Lumber Product | No |
| Fodder Product | No |
| Christmas Tree Product | No |
| Berry/Nut/Seed Product | No |
