Vintage Virginia Bluebells - 1756 Botanical Print from Plantae Selectae

Experience the delicate charm of Mertensia virginica, commonly known as Virginia Bluebells. This 18th-century botanical print, featured in Plantae Selectae (1756), captures the plant's graceful, nodding blue flowers and lush foliage in exquisite detail.

Native to eastern North America, Mertensia virginica thrives in moist, rich woods and river floodplains. It is an erect, clump-forming perennial that grows 1-2 feet tall, featuring loose, terminal clusters of pendulous, trumpet-shaped blue flowers that bloom in early spring. Flower buds are pink and flowers emerge with a pinkish cast before turning blue. The plant has smooth, oval, bluish-green leaves up to 4 inches long. 

Historically, Mertensia virginica was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as Pulmonaria virginica. In 1797, Albrecht Wilhelm Roth reclassified it as Mertensia pulmonarioides, unaware of Linnaeus's earlier naming. Today, the accepted scientific name is Mertensia virginica, with Mertensia pulmonarioides considered a synonym. 

This botanical print is perfect for those who appreciate vintage botanical art and the ephemeral beauty of spring wildflowers. Its detailed illustration makes it an excellent choice for art collectors, nature enthusiasts, and admirers of botanical history.

Why You’ll Love It:

• Authentic 18th-Century Botanical Artwork – A historical reproduction from Plantae Selectae.
• Captures the Graceful Beauty – Featuring Mertensia virginica, renowned for its nodding blue flowers and lush foliage.
• Perfect for Elegant & Botanical Interiors – A timeless addition to art collections, studies, or living spaces.
• A Thoughtful Gift – Ideal for plant lovers, historians, and collectors of vintage botanical prints.