When to plant Virginia bluebells?
This species prefers part to full shade and moist, rich soil. Plant potted plants 10-18″ apart in the fall or after the last frost in spring. This species prefers part to full shade and moist, rich soil.
Are Virginia bluebells a perennial?
Virginia bluebells are ephemeral perennials, meaning they come up in early spring and have a short growing season. Plants have smooth, oval leaves with prominent veins. The foliage is deep purple when it emerges, then quickly turns green. The 2- to 8-inch-long leaves are longest at the base of the plant. One important thing to know is that Virginia bluebells are spring ephemeral plants, meaning they come up in the spring, bloom, and then the foliage wilts back to the ground in early summer. Don’t worry—this is part of their natural cycle and they’ll come back next spring.A great beginner plant and oh so cheerful in any type of garden, Virginia bluebells grow best in moist soils where they get bright sun in spring and then shade for the rest of the growing season. Under a deciduous tree is perfect. Mine grow in average moisture soil and do just fine.Over time, you might find your English bluebells spread naturally throughout your beds and borders. You can also grow bluebells in pots and containers. Choose somewhere partly shady to place your pot.PLANTING & CARE Though Spanish bluebells prefer rich, moist, woodland soils, they are very adaptable and will thrive in ordinary garden soil. In fact, they’ll grow just about anywhere — and they’re widely animal-resistant! Plant with bases 4”-5” deep and 4”-6” apart from center to center. Water well.Bluebells are legally protected and it is against the law to dig them up from the wild. Make sure you ask your garden centre, nursery or online supplier to confirm the bulbs are cultivated, not wild–collected and also that they are both sourced and grown in the UK.
Where can I find Virginia bluebells?
Bluebells thrive in forests along the Potomac River and its many streams and creeks. This plant prefers partial or full shade, so you might find them close to oaks or sweet gum trees. What makes Virginia bluebells so special is that they form dense colonies and spread into a carpet of flowers. Grazing: Sheep and cattle can cause considerable harm by grazing on bluebell leaves. Similarly the introduction of the muntjac deer is causing many problems as these animals are partial to the bluebell leaves and can cause great damage by eating them to the ground and by crushing them.Pollinators and wildlife: Virginia bluebells are known for attracting bees, butterflies, flies, hummingbirds, moths, and skippers. Because of Virginia bluebell’s tubular shape, only large bees like bumblebees are able to access the pollen and nectar. Virginia bluebell is also known to attract the large sphinx moth.Cattle and deer feed on the leaves of the bluebells and also damage them by crushing them.
Can you buy bluebells to plant?
You can buy bluebell plants from garden centres. Always try to buy native English bluebells rather than Spanish or hybrid ones which can take over in a garden and escape into the countryside. Bluebells can be planted from March to June or in autumn from September to November for overwintering. Dig a hole that’s wide enough to fit the bulb comfortably, and at least 2-3 times their depth. If planting in groups, dig a trench instead of individual holes at the same depth.Bluebells grow well in sun or shade, in a range of soil conditions. They spread by seed and offsets and can grow up through other plants. If left unchecked, clumps can easily spread beyond their allotted space and present unwanted competition to garden plants.The Common Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is found in north western Europe, predominantly in the British Isles, northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is a bulb forming perennial plant that produces violet flowers covering the floor of a woodland in spring before the main canopy develops.As well as loss of habitat, native bluebells also suffer from competition with the Spanish bluebell. Spanish bluebells were brought to this country as an ornamental flower for gardens.Choose an area of dappled shade, ideally under a deciduous tree. Plant your bluebells at the level that they were planted before they were lifted, which you’ll see from where the leaves turn white. This will be at a depth of about 10cm (4in). Space them about 10cm (4in) apart.
Do bluebells spread quickly?
Carpets of bluebell flowers in woodlands are one of the most glorious sights of the British spring landscape – but bluebells are also wonderful plants for gardens. They’re easy to grow. In fact, bluebells grow so readily and spread so quickly they can become too widespread if left to self seed. The easiest and most reliable method is to plant bluebells ‘in the green’ in late spring, after they have finished flowering. Plant in naturalistic drifts, 10cm deep and approximately 10cm apart. It’s possible to grow bluebells from seed.You are buying Bluebells growing in a 9cm pot, not dry bulbs. They can be planted at any time of the year (including winter) and usually flower in their first year. Anemone nemorosa’s flowering period overlaps with native Bluebells and they look wonderful planted together.Bluebells are woodland plants, so they grow best in partial shade with moist but well-drained soil. Adding leaf mould, manure or garden compost to the soil will ensure they have plenty of nutrients. Try planting them in clumps under deciduous trees or shrubs to create a mini-woodland effect.Do bluebells come back every year? As a perennial plant, bluebells flower every year. Bluebell colonies take between 5-7 years so develop and can take some time to recover if damaged. It is very important to avoid trampling bluebells in bloom to protect the delicate flower and allow the colony to spread naturally.
How many bluebell bulbs should I plant together?
Bulbs in the green should be planted in clumps of 3-4 bulbs. Separate them into clumps before planting. Plant them up to where the white stops and turns green. This indicates the original planting depth. Plant most bulbs at two to three times their depth. For example, for a bulb measuring 5cm (2in) high, dig a hole 10-15cm (4-6in) deep and sit the bulb in the bottom of it. Place the bulbs in the hole with their ‘nose’, or shoot, facing upwards.
Where is the best place to plant bluebells?
Bluebells grow well in sun or shade, in a range of soil conditions. They spread by seed and offsets and can grow up through other plants. If left unchecked, clumps can easily spread beyond their allotted space and present unwanted competition to garden plants. To help you to successfully grow an abundance of beautiful bluebells in your garden, we have put together this guide filled with tips and abroad. Seeds can take up to seven years to reach flowering size, whereas bluebell bulbs often sprout in the first year and can flower in as little as two years.The UK is home to more than half the world’s population of bluebells, making it our unofficial national flower. Their presence is a sure sign you are in a very old woodland. The Wildlife Trusts care for hundreds of woodlands and look after some of the finest displays of bluebells in the country.You can plant dry bluebell bulbs in autumn, but you’re more likely to have success by planting the bulbs ‘in the green’, in late spring. Divide and replant the clumps after flowering and before the leaves die back.