Hardy, North American early spring-flowering perennialDescription: Delicate, terminal clusters of light pink buds, which open to flared, long-tubular, sky-blue to purple flowers Habit: Grows 18" high and 12-18" wide; erect, branching stems; completely dormant in summer Culture: Prefers dappled shade of deciduous forests and moist, humus-rich loam; plant growing tip 1-inch below surface Hardiness: Cold hardy to USDA Zones 3 through 8 Jefferson-documentedOn April 16, 1766, in one of his earliest observations in his Garden Book, Thomas Jefferson noted, "the bluish colored, funnel-formed flower in the low grounds in bloom." Also called Virginia or mountain cowslip and Roanoke bells in the 18th century, this is one of our most desirable native perennial flowers. It was introduced to Britain by 1700 and Williamsburg's John Custis sent roots to his patron Peter Collinson in the 1730s. It is easy to grow in most shady gardens and the emerging tufts of blue-green foliage are a harbinger of spring. Do not allow dormant roots to dry out. This plant will ship bare root. Grade: #1. Bare root planting tips: If you can't plant immediately, store your plant in a cool location and keep the roots moist or pot in a container with a nursery potting mix from your local garden center. Before planting, let the roots soak for several hours as you prepare the site. You'll want to dig a large enough hole so the root mass can spread out and the plant is at the same soil level as when it was growing in the nursery. Once planted, water it in well and wait a month before fertilizing. Mulching will help to maintain moisture and raise soil temperatures for faster growth.
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