Original watercolor and pen illustration of a Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica). This piece was one of 12 original paintings created for my Native Plant Collection, which highlights the beauty and ecological importance of 12 wildflowers indigenous to the United States (and IL/MO, specifically). 

The Virginia Bluebell is known as a "spring ephemeral" for its short bloom time in April and May, after which it goes dormant. The plant is an important early nectar source for bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. It often grows in woodlands, where its delicate blossoms make a stunning carpet of blue in early spring.