Virginia bluebells are native to the U.S., but not to the Seattle area. They are a charming woodland plant, however. I had tried to get them established under the Douglas fir for several years, and finally, the last planting seems to have taken. I consider them ephemeral, as they bloom in April and then completely disappear. They are in the borage family, one of my favorites, and the blue flowers are brilliant.
This is the third year this plant has bloomed for me, but I think it has been in the garden for four years. There are some native Mertensias in Washington–I’ve seen some growing near our cabin in Tonasket. If any are native to western Washington, I plan to try to grow those in the native plant garden that’s getting started this month.
