When does Roanoke-bells bloom?

It flowers in April and May, with buds often opening pink before turning blue as they mature.

What pollinators visit Roanoke-bells?

Bees and butterflies are the main visitors, attracted to the nectar in the bell-shaped flowers.

What growing conditions suit Roanoke-bells best?

It does well in part shade to full shade with medium to consistently moist soil, similar to the streamside woodland sites where it is often found.

Why does Roanoke-bells disappear in summer?

It is a spring ephemeral. After blooming in April and May, the foliage yellows and dies back, and the plant remains dormant underground until the following spring.

Is Roanoke-bells toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Roanoke-bells as toxic to livestock.

Is Roanoke-bells HOA-friendly?

Roanoke-bells takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Roanoke-bells

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Mertensia virginica

Last reviewed: August 2026

Roanoke-bells blooms in April and May, forming clusters of blue, bell-shaped flowers in moist woodland and floodplain settings before the foliage dies back for summer dormancy.

Toxicity unknown

Roanoke-bells (Mertensia virginica) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Roanoke-bells as toxic to livestock.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

12"–24" H × 8"–16" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, DE, GA and 23 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Deer

Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Mertensia virginica produces delicate clusters of pink buds that open to sky-blue bell-shaped flowers in early spring. This woodland wildflower goes completely dormant by midsummer, disappearing until the following spring. It works well in shaded gardens where other plants can fill in after it goes dormant.

Growing Roanoke-bells

Grow Roanoke-bells in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 8 to 16 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Roanoke-bells takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Completely disappears by midsummer leaving bare spots
May be confused with weeds during emergence
Requires companion plants to maintain garden appearance

Wildlife value

The early spring blooms provide nectar for bees and butterflies when few other flowers are available. Native long-tongued bees are particularly attracted to the tubular flowers.

Common questions

When does Roanoke-bells bloom?: It flowers in April and May, with buds often opening pink before turning blue as they mature.
What pollinators visit Roanoke-bells?: Bees and butterflies are the main visitors, attracted to the nectar in the bell-shaped flowers.
What growing conditions suit Roanoke-bells best?: It does well in part shade to full shade with medium to consistently moist soil, similar to the streamside woodland sites where it is often found.
Why does Roanoke-bells disappear in summer?: It is a spring ephemeral. After blooming in April and May, the foliage yellows and dies back, and the plant remains dormant underground until the following spring.
Is Roanoke-bells toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Roanoke-bells as toxic to livestock.
Is Roanoke-bells HOA-friendly?: Roanoke-bells takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Roanoke-bells? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz