Get to Know a Native Plant: Bell Wort or Merry Bells, Uvularia grandiflora

I am guilty of taking this easy-going native plant for granted. It comes up reliably every spring and quietly goes about putting on a display of nodding yellow flowers. I sometimes give its flowerbed some supplemental water, but other than that, I don't do much for it. That's one of the beauties of growing a plant that's native–it's perfectly at home in my garden. 

Bell Wort or Merry Bells, Uvularia grandiflora is native to the woodlands of Eastern and Central North America. It's a long-lived, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial. Underground is a rhizome with fleshy, fibrous roots.

The upright foliage is perfoliate– in other words, the lance-shaped leaves encircle the plant's stem. The pendulous yellow flowers have six partially twisted petals that flare outward at the end.

Unlike woodland ephemerals, which go dormant in summer, the foliage of Merry Bells remains into the early fall. I have read that slugs can be a problem, but I haven't noticed much slug damage on my plant. 

Here's another reason to grow this plant: it's one of the first wildflowers to emerge in the spring, and as such, it is an important source of nectar and pollen for a wide variety of native and non-native bees.

Growing Uvularia grandiflora

This perennial prefers humus-rich soil, but it will happily grow in average garden soil. Merry Bells prefers moist conditions but established plants tolerate dry spells in the summer months.

Uvularia grandiflora seeds can be difficult to germinate and require a period of cold to germinate properly. I find Merry Bells are slow-growing (the clump in my garden is old yet it has barely changed size), so I'd recommend buying a bare root plant. 

Divide Merry Bells in the early fall.

Yellow Fairy Bells, Disporum flavens

Not A Native

When you are shopping for Uvularia grandiflora you may come across this similar plant: 

Yellow Fairy Bells, Disporum flavens is native to Korea. Like Solomon's Seal, they emerge mid-spring with arching stalks of bright green leaves. Lemon yellow flowers will last for up to a couple of weeks. Blackberries appear in late summer. Part to full shade and clay soil that is on the moist side is this plant's preferences. Height: 70-90 cm ) 27-35 cm, Spread: 40-50 cm (16-20 inches). USDA Zones: 5-9.

Top row from left to right: Bleeding Heart' Gold Heart', Daffodils, and Virginia Bluebells

Bottom row: Tulips, Pulmonaria and Anemone Nemorosa

Hybrid Trout Lily (Erythronium) with Uvularia grandiflora in the background.

Coordinates

Uvularia grandiflora is at home in a woodland setting. Native co-ordinates might include Trout Lily (Erythronium), Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria), Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) and native ferns ( Bulblet, Sheild, Cinnamon and Lady fern to name just a few).  Other companions might be tulips, daffodils, primula, Bleeding Heart, Pulmonaria and Hellebores. 

A Few Sources

I was able to find many native plant nurseries that sell Merry Bells but don't offer mailorder services. I'd recommend doing a local search before you pay shipping fees. Because native plants are sometimes a little harder to find, I am going to include a few links that a quick online search produced. 

I have not ordered from these companies, nor do I stand to benefit from any order you place. If you have a native plant nursery to suggest, please share a recommendation in the comments section. It would be a great help.

Canada:

Frazer Thimble Farms

USA:

Botanically Inclined
Breck's 
Morning Sky Greenery
Plant Delights
Prairie Nursery Native Plants and Seeds 

Plant type: Herbaceous perennial

Native Range: Eastern and central North America

Height: 30-45 cm(12-18 inches)

Spread: 30-40 cm (12-16 inches)

Flower: Pendulous, somewhat bell-shaped with six partially twisted yellow petals

Bloom period: Spring

Leaf: Lance-shaped, perfoliate, bright green foliage

Light: Part to full shade

Soil: Moist, rich, well-drained soil but will tolerate dry conditions in summer

Move: Divide in the fall 

Problems: None

USDA Zones: 3-9