skip to main content

Transplanting Virginia Bluebells?

8 years ago

I was searched online, and everyone says they transplant easily, but it should be done in the fall, when they are dormant. The plants that I've dug up in the past don't seem to have a very substantial root structure, so I can't imagine trying to dig them up without anything above ground to guide me to the correct root.

So, I have a vigorous plant that has obviously dropped seeds, and there are a bunch of seedlings underneath. I carefully transplanted several of the seedlings to other spots around the yard that could use some spring color. What are the chances these will survive? The entire yard is mostly shade, with high sand content and pine needles mixed with oak leaves. There are Trillium seedlings growing, and Solomon's Seal volunteers everywhere. If I get a thumbs up from my friends here, I'll go out and transplant the rest of the seedlings into other spots. Thank you,

Martha

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
8 years ago
Contrary to what the books say, I've always transplanted/potted up Virginia bluebells when they were growing. They look awful after the move, but come back fine the next year.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
hey ma ...

its raining here in MI ...

do it in the middle of a rain shower ... take a hand trowel .. and dig a few holes where you want them ...

then take an empty flat or tray .. and take hand trowel sized plugs ...

and go plug them in ...

i dont suggest you do it this hot steamy morning ... but later in the afternoon ... when the rain is forecast ....

if you cant find a rainy day ... water them deeply in the morning ... on a cloudy day.. and move them a few hours later ... its all about not being in sun.. on a hot day.. when you move them .. make sense ???

its all about them being turgid ... full of water.. and ready to go ...

this is a general rule for ALL plants ...

besides.. you have a lot of them .. so if you lose some.. so what .. just dont move all of them.. all at once.. and then kill them all .. a failsafe approach ...

ken
Related Discussions
Virginia Bluebells and zone 5/6?
Q
Comments (21)
FWIW, Mine are planted at the base of oak trees. They grow and multiply, but slowly. I'm not sure I would call them "flourishing", but having never planted them elsewhere, or, for that matter, having never even seen them in anyone else's garden, I don't know how to compare mine to others planted in different situations. Just this year I noticed about half a dozen new plants, a bit farther away from the originals, and they too have seeded - and are growing - under other oak trees. I do believe oaks are easier to plant under than other trees, so I don't know if that should be taken into account. Dee
...See More
Viginia Bluebells, planting bare root
Q
Comments (6)
I'm not an expert on planting bareroot bluebells, but you haven't gotten a better answer. The packet instructions probably would have said something like 'bury an inch below surface', but that would have been when the thing was dormant. The plant then would have figured out 'up' and 'down' when it broke dormancy. I would suspect that, with bluebells, the end beginning to sprout now is the stem end rather than the root end. And you said "How can I tell which end is up with the root that isn't sprouting yet?" I suspect that in that sprouting end you recognized the developing bud. I would plant them about an inch under the soil, but at the end that is sprouting, get that end at the level of the soil, or *just* below. I don't know that vertical or horizontal matters, as long as the budding end isn't buried. But I would get them in the ground *soon*! Bluebells are very forgiving. Get them in the ground, with the growing part toward sun, and odds are they will do fine. You may not get optimum flowering this year, but they'll do fine.
...See More
getting transplanted Virginia Bluebells to survive
Q
Comments (5)
Even if the flowers and foliage wilt upon transplant - which is very likely - I would venture to say that, if the bulb sections are big enough, they will sprout again the following year. This is an extremely vigorous plant which will spread extensively once it gets started. I compost a goodly amount of it every spring just to keep it in check, yet I'm still inundated by it (in a good way ... sort of). If you wait too long in the spring to transplant, the above ground foliage will disappear and be difficult to find. I would wait until the flowers start to fade and do the transplant then. The foliage will probably wilt but the plants should grow and flower fine the next year. This is actually a very difficult plant to get rid of once you have it, lol.
...See More
Best time to transplant Virginia Bluebells?
Q
Comments (7)
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.
...See More
sunnyborders
8 years ago
Plants below (yesterday) are the result of digging up and breaking up a large dormant tuber (few or no roots) 2 years ago.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Yep, I would treat these as I do english bluebells and snowdrops...and transplant them 'in the green'. Just after blooming (although you can do it before but I like to see the flowers), water well, dig them up and plant in new place. Yes, they look awful but it is what is under the ground rather than what is above that counts here.

I have the start of a little colony in the woods - my delight has been boundless as I had no idea what lush leafage they had as well as the deliciously powder-blue flowers.
mnwsgal
8 years ago
Virginia bluebells get dug up for spring sales here. When I transplanted mine they wilted and disappeared a week or so later but returned this spring. I'm hoping the tiny seedlings I see in that area are more bluebells. Will have to let them grow a bit to tell.
docmom_gw
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you all. My Mother's Day present was having the day to play in the garden. It was pouring rain, so I took advantage and moved quite a few V. Bluebell seedlings. There are still tons more that could be moved. Does anyone know how many years it takes before the seedlings bloom? I suspect they are like Trillium and take a number of years to mature to blooming stage.

Martha

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Mertensia Virginica

By Curtis Adams

Virginia bluebells provides relief from winter with a big display of color

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: Clean and Classic Space With a Modern Sensibility

By Jeannie Matteucci

A Virginia designer creates a traditional kitchen for her family, with a user-friendly layout and a few unexpected contemporary details

SOUTHEAST GARDENING Southeast Gardener's April Checklist

By Gardening with Confidence®

Stock up on herbs, keep clippers away from the daffodils and watch for signs of a major impatiens threat

NATIVE PLANTS Great Design Plant: Hydrophyllum Virginianum

By Pollination Press LLC

This reliable, shade-tolerant native plant provides spotted foliage and clusters of pink flowers in eastern U.S. woodland and shade gardens

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Top Native Plants for the U.S. Southeast

By Falon Mihalic

For a low-maintenance and wildlife-friendly landscape, use Southern natives that withstand heat and humidity

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: A Dallas Family Home Freshens Up

By Sarah Greenman

With its newly open interior and thoughtfully collected art, this home bridges contemporary and eclectic with flair

LIFE The Moving-Day Survival Kit: Lifesaving Items and Niceties

By Becky Harris

Gather these must-haves in advance for a smooth move and more comfortable first days in your new home

GARDENING GUIDES Houzz Call: What’s Your Favorite Backyard Beauty?

By Stacy Briscoe

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

GARDENING GUIDES 15 Native Flowers That Feed Native Bees

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

These perennials offer superfood to hundreds of bees and are gorgeous in their own right

FALL GARDENING 5 Native Early-Spring Bloomers to Plant This Fall

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Think beyond tulips and daffodils this year with plants that you and native pollinators will love

Sponsored

More Discussions

buying plants online that are "plug"-sized

7

Your MAY 2024 highlights

14

Has your “Blue Fortune” emerged yet??

7

Mysterious Elephant Ear Plant

2

Happy accidents

5