Mertensia virginica - virginia bluebells
By Lauram
11 Mar, 2011
7 likes
I will attempt this plant one final time. These were the first plants I bought for my garden, 4 years ago now. I used to work on an estate where we had masses of these growing amid hellebores, so when I finally got my own garden, I really really wanted bluebells. Well, they haven't worked out so well. They've never grown; they reach a few inches, refuse to flower and then go dormant. Last year I relocated them to the sensitive fern area and gave them better soil. I'd forgotten about them but noticed today that 3 are popping up. Mertensia are one of those native plants that I simply can't grow...black cohosh is another.
Comments on this photo
Thanks, Helenium! The foliage on this one is really pretty, but the flowers are lovely, blue and pink; I always wanted a big clump of them so hopefully the new location will do the trick.
By the way.......I bid on those Helianthus Lemon Queen seeds on eBay and got them for $1.50 for over 50 seeds! They should arrive in a few days. The last time I attempted to plant sunflowers the birds got all the seeds - I think they were watching me - so this time I'll be sure to protect them, and also start them in pots rather than in the ground. I think they'll be safer that way.
11 Mar, 2011
Hope the plants grow for you this time, it's really great when something works out, albeit after the second attempt. Now that's a bargain! I do hope the birds leave the seedling alone. I'm convinced the birds steal my plant lables, they never take the yellow, just the white ones. My friend blamed the birds for stipping her Aquilegias. I know their poisonous to us but maybe it doesn't affect the birds. It also happened to mine, they looked like skeletons, but I think Aquilegia Sawfly was the culprit!
11 Mar, 2011
I'm pleased for you :)
11 Mar, 2011
Pictures by lauram
189 of 365
What else?
Members who like this photo
-
Gardening with friends since
27 Feb, 2009 -
Gardening with friends since
29 Mar, 2008 -
Gardening with friends since
1 Oct, 2009 -
Gardening with friends since
31 Oct, 2010 -
Gardening with friends since
2 Nov, 2009 -
Gardening with friends since
10 Mar, 2010 -
Gardening with friends since
3 May, 2010
What a great photo it's so clear. The veins of plants never cease to amaze me!
11 Mar, 2011