Virginia Bluebells

15 years ago

Hi All, I have a huge colony of VBs and really want to move a few to start a new one. Can I do this now or do I need to wait until they go dormant in the summer? Thanks ahead for any info.

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Comments (6)

mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
15 years ago
You could try moving them now. I usually wait until after they have bloomed, but before they go dormant. They look absolutely awful afterwards, and go dormant almost immediately, but they come back normally the next spring.
User
15 years ago
I just posted a similar thread a few days ago. If you look back a page or two, you will find some good info from posters there too.
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Good question. I have big groups of them, but I always transplant mine in the spring when I can see them, with the leaves of course sticking above the ground. I just went out and poked around gently where I know they are, and couldn't find any sign of them (I didn't go more than half an inch deep) but I know they have a root kind of like a carrot. I think I would spit the difference, and plant the crowns aboout an inch deep. You could try some at ground level and some deeper, see what happens. They are wildflowers, they may just pull themselves where they need to be.
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Thanks! The originals came from my grandmother's house, which then became my parents'; and they were actually dormant when I moved them. The property was being sold and that was my only option. I was lucky any made it. So they have a lot of sentimental value. I even have a seedling all the way on the opposite side of the house. How a seed got there is a mystery, unless on my foot. I've never even noticed the seeds, or I'd collect them.
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gardenmaven
15 years ago
I think you can move them either before or after flowering. Best to do it right after so you can enjoy flowers first. I don't have these in my garden, but I would love to get some. They're so gorgeous in bloom.

Here is a link that might be useful: Picture of Viginia bluebells
linnea56 (zone 5b Chicago)
15 years ago
They sulk very much after transplanting. Might as well enjoy the flowers first.
craftlady07
15 years ago
I heard that you can also start them from seed, you may want to let the ones you have flower and go to seed, collect the seeds and scatter over your new area. I heard/read that the virginia bluebells don't like to be moved.
I just planted some this year from root, not sure if they're going to take or not. if not, I'm just going to get some seed for next year (at the recommendation of a local perennial nursery)
sheltieche
15 years ago
seed has to be fresh or moist preserved.

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Virginia Bluebells

Comments (6)

mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)

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