Merrybells prefer rich, well-drained organic soil that stays evenly moist. Therefore, apply mulch in late winter and keep the plants well watered—especially in early summer. Feeding in spring with a balanced fertilizer encourages more vigorous growth and a better floral display. No other care is required.
This small eastern and central North American native is a sweet plant that never fails to impress—if you take time to notice the flowers. The delicate, bell-shaped, 1- to 1½-inch-long yellow blossoms of merrybells hang down. It is easy to pass them by without a glance because they pull down the tips of the stems. The foliage, resembling a smaller version of Solomon’s seal, remains attractive all season. Merrybells spread with underground shoots but they are noninvasive.
Merrybells flower early with other spring ephemerals and combine well with other native woodland wildflowers and spring-flowering bulbs, such as daffodils and Spanish bluebells. They belong in a woodland garden with other small plants. They also show off well in front of evergreen shrubs such as rhododendron and mountain laurel, where the beautiful blossoms can stand out against dark foliage.
ZONES: 3–9
BLOOM TIME: Spring
LIGHT: Part shade
HEIGHT: 12–18 inches
INTEREST: Charming yellow flowers on a small, graceful plant