I have many North Carolina native plants that I would like to trade for Virginia bluebells.

I would plant them indoors, in a seed flat or pot, so that the soil can be kept constantly moist. Takes about 2 months for fresh seed to germinate, probably a little longer for stored seed. No cold stratification is required. Later, after the temperatures warm up, you can move them outdoors to a full shade location. If the seed haven't germinated at that time, cover the flat or pot with glass or thick clear plastic, to prevent wildlife damage. Leave them in the starting mix for about a year before transplanting. VA Bluebells require shade and constantly moist soil during their active growth and blooming period. Once the blooms fade and seed mature, the plant will go dormant and moisture is less demanding then. They will form long, thick, shallow, horizontal rhizomes as they mature. I am about 100 mi. south of their southernmost natural range and they are difficult to grow here, because of the summer heat and high soil temperature. About 3-4 years is about as long as they will survive, before disappearing. :

You might try posting to trade at the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: The Seed Exchange

So imagine what the bed will look like after the daffodils and tulips fade. It will probably look like a dark green sea and then it will turn brown. Many people plant annuals on top of their bulbs, but those only last a season. My plan this year was to plant Showy Primrose I wintersowed among the tulips so that it comes back every year and will leave something pretty growing when the tulips die back. Perennials for large areas: Yarrow-white, red, yellow, pink. Starts easily from seed or a few plant starts and it's a midplains native and grows well. Feathery foliage that's pretty and long-blooming. I have plant starts if you want some. Cushion Spurge. Some people like it, others don't. It's a plains native and it spreads quickly. It grows 12" high and blooms wonderful yellow blossoms. As the blossoms fade you have a green feathery foliage shorter than the yarrow. I have lots of plant starts if you want some. Daisies. As the tulips fade the Shasta/Becky Daisies come to life and bloom their little heads off. The white flowers dance in the breeze. If you deadhead they keep reblooming. Nice long bloom period. These grow stronger by the year. (You guessed it--I have some.) Phlox Subulata: Groundcover that blooms early spring. If you plant around your bulbs the bulbs come through it. Blooms purple, pink or white as a carpet of blooms. Rest of the year it's green and happy, very low to the ground. Low maintenance. I've only transplanted it, never done seeds. Yep, I have some. Columbine: Grow well from seed. It will take a couple years for them to gain some size, but you'll have beautiful blooms. I personally have trouble with Columbine. I think it's my soil. Mine get about 24" high, last about 3 years, and that's it. My aunt's got as big as a bush, but didn't make it through the 2014-15 winter. Sweet William grows well from seed. You'll have pink and white blossoms in mid spring. Gaillardia grows well from seeds. Bright orange and yellow blooms depending on which seed you get. Short-lived perennial so they are around a couple years before they disappear and you can keep planting more seed to keep the cycle going. Look at Craigslist or post on Craigslist for iris if you're interested. Many people have to divide roots of daylilies, iris or peonies and want someone to adopt their babies. They are usually unnamed, but if that doesn't bother you then you're in luck. They all come back like clockwork for years and years. This was probably too much information! Heidi