Everyone loves Virginia Bluebells (M. virginica) for their sapphire blue flowers on 18in stems that gleam from shady spots in April and May, making them an ideal underplanting for shrubs and trees. Because plants go dormant in summer, they should be planted with clump-forming Ferns such as Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) or Hostas that will cover for them until spring returns. Plants thrive in deciduous shade and moist soil, where they will seed themselves to create a charming colony.