Virginia Bluebells, transplanting
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
16 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (23)
davidl_ny5
16 years agowaplummer
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Virginia Bluebells
Comments (6)I have several large clumps myself and I've transplanted them just before all the foliage disappears - when they're yellowed. They transplant fine and should bloom for you next year. Filtered Sun/Shade with leafy, humus soil seems to work best for them. I always lightly work in a light layer of leftover leaves from fall in and around their crowns in the spring after they've sprouted. Also, I've found after a few years of being established they will begin to slowly seed themselves on decent soil which is another bonus....See MoreVirginia Bluebells
Comments (6)I've never been able to keep them going from commercial transplants; I think they object to being moved. Somewhere, I read a hint that virginia bluebell/mertensia seed should be planted immediately after harvesting. A few years ago, I took some stems with seed [with permission, from along a neighbor's creek] as soon as the stem appeared to be mostly dry; wrapped them in a damp paper towel for the long drive home and then planted the stems (with the seed pods attached) immediately in the shade garden. They did take 2 years to get to blooming size. Since then, they've been happy enough to bloom beautifully and multiply nicely, in spite of all the drought. Actually, they have multiplied so well that 2 years ago, I tried transplanting a few to a different area -with less than mediocre success- however, the plants which lived through the transplant did bloom this year. Both sites are in dappled shade, with many years of mulch worked into the soil. Unfortunately, they rarely get watered during droughts, but that doesn't seem to have affected them....See MoreMoving Virginia bluebells?
Comments (4)They can be moved while in bloom. During a gentle rain or on a cloudy day early morning or late afternoon. If they are mature plants they will have an extensive root system....See MoreVirginia Bluebells
Comments (28)Hi John! Thanks for the response. The VB were sown in plastic cell packs, kept in an unheated porch for the winter and put outside in March, as by the time I thought of it, it was too late to find the ground here in Western New York. After they died back I left them in the deep shade under big Arborviae trees (had several species there,including Dodecatheon meadia: Midland Shooting Star, growing pretty much the same as the VB except many more of them, and ungerminate woodland species I was planning to second cycle) and mist-hosed them on the rare dry spells, but being above ground they got pretty dry. In the fall I dug little holes and plopped the little plugs into the ground in the pine woods and covered them lightly with pine needle leaf mold. I wasnt going to order new VB seeds and wait to see how the ones I had made out, but now I really want to get some more and try again. But same problem - no ground here and minus 9 wind chill. I am thinking of ordering seeds and waiting to see if an opportunity arises to find the ground in January, or if there isnt I think what I would do differently is sow them all in one larger biodegradable container, in more nutrititious compound/soil, putting it right outside, and sinking it into the ground in the woods ASAP. Then not looking at it *grin*. Little bitty plants like that make me a nervous wreck. Does that sound like a good plan? Then I shouldnt worry if they only make a little leaf and dry up? PAX Laurette...See Morelinnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
16 years agoLynda Waldrep
16 years agosusanswoods
16 years agodavidl_ny5
16 years agosusanswoods
16 years agojoepyeweed
16 years agolinnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
16 years agoshadeyplace
16 years agomyoneandonly
16 years agohappy_macomb
16 years agopalmer
16 years agoLinda277
10 years agoMary Leek
10 years agomosswitch
10 years agoMary Leek
10 years agoOrnery_Pony
9 years agoOrnery_Pony
9 years agolinnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
9 years agowisconsitom
9 years agoVicissitudezz
9 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Mertensia Virginica
Virginia bluebells provides relief from winter with a big display of color
Full StoryKITCHEN OF THE WEEKKitchen of the Week: Clean and Classic Space With a Modern Sensibility
A Virginia designer creates a traditional kitchen for her family, with a user-friendly layout and a few unexpected contemporary details
Full StorySOUTHEAST GARDENINGSoutheast Gardener's April Checklist
Stock up on herbs, keep clippers away from the daffodils and watch for signs of a major impatiens threat
Full StoryNATIVE PLANTSGreat Design Plant: Hydrophyllum Virginianum
This reliable, shade-tolerant native plant provides spotted foliage and clusters of pink flowers in eastern U.S. woodland and shade gardens
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Top Native Plants for the U.S. Southeast
For a low-maintenance and wildlife-friendly landscape, use Southern natives that withstand heat and humidity
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: A Dallas Family Home Freshens Up
With its newly open interior and thoughtfully collected art, this home bridges contemporary and eclectic with flair
Full StoryLIFEThe Moving-Day Survival Kit: Lifesaving Items and Niceties
Gather these must-haves in advance for a smooth move and more comfortable first days in your new home
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHouzz Call: What’s Your Favorite Backyard Beauty?
The simple, honest daisy is this writer’s go-to garden flower. We want to hear which plant, flowering or otherwise, gives you special joy
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES10 Standout Native Shrubs and Small Palms for Southern Gardens
These hardworking plants serve a variety of purposes, such as screening views and attracting native wildlife
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES15 Native Flowers That Feed Native Bees
These perennials offer superfood to hundreds of bees and are gorgeous in their own right
Full StorySponsored
wisconsitom