When you mention spring wildflowers in the Washington DC area, the first flower that comes to mind for most people are the Virginia Bluebells. These delicate blue flowers bloom in late March and early April – and if you catch them at the right moment – you often see the forest carpeted with wildflowers.
© 2013 Patty Hankins
Virginia Bluebells – mertensia virginica – are members of the Borage or Forget-Me-Not family. They are native to most of the eastern United States and Canada with the exception of Louisiana, Florida, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. They are listed as threatened in Michigan and vulnerable in New York.
© 2013 Patty Hankins
Bluebell plants grow to about 2 feet tall. They have silver green leaves. The flowers start as pink buds – which open out to the light blue flowers. Occasionally, you’ll see flowers that remain pink after they open.
© 2011 Patty Hankins
The flowers of the Virginia bluebells are often described as either trumpet or bell shaped. They have five petals that fuse to create a tube, five stamens and a center pistil.
© 2013 Patty Hankins
Bluebells grow in the woods – in areas of part shade. They prefer areas with plenty of water – moist woods and river bottoms.
© 2013 Patty Hankins
Native Americans used parts of the Virginia Bluebell plants to treat a range of illnesses including whooping cough, tuberculosis and venereal diseases. It was used as an antidote to some poisons.
© 2010 Patty Hankins
Every spring I love seeing the Virginia Bluebells in bloom. I’m already thinking about where I’ll go to photograph them this year. one of my favorite places to photograph them is at Bull Run State Park. Do you have a favorite place to photograph theVirginia Bluebells?
More information about Virginia Bluebells can be found at
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Missouri Botanical Garden
Native American Ethnobotany Index
