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Virginia bluebell
Virginia bluebell botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Virginia bluebell

Mertensia virginica

Virginia bluebells offer early spring nectar and pollen to honeybees during critical colony buildup, with peak bloom in April across their range. The tubular flowers attract long-tongued bees but are accessible to honeybees; plants go dormant by summer, leaving space for later bloomers. Deer often browse the foliage, so protection may be needed in some areas.

Nectarmedium
Pollenmedium
BloomMarch–May
USDA zones3-8
TypePerennial
Sunpartial
NativeEastern North America
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