Velvetbells (Bartsia): A Mysterious Northern Native Worth Knowing
If you’re drawn to unusual native plants with a touch of mystery, velvetbells might just capture your curiosity. This perennial native goes by the botanical name Bartsia, and while it’s not exactly a household name in gardening circles, it represents an fascinating piece of Canada’s northern botanical heritage.
Where You’ll Find Velvetbells Growing Wild
Velvetbells is a true northern native, calling both Canada and Greenland home. Within Canada, you can find this perennial growing across a impressive range of provinces and territories, including Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nunavut, Labrador, and Newfoundland. This wide distribution across some of our country’s most challenging climates hints at a plant that’s incredibly tough and adaptable to harsh conditions.
The Challenge of Growing Velvetbells
Here’s where things get interesting – and a bit tricky. Velvetbells belongs to a group of plants that have some unusual habits. Many plants in the Bartsia genus are semi-parasitic, meaning they don’t just rely on photosynthesis like most plants. Instead, they also tap into the root systems of nearby plants to supplement their nutrition.
This semi-parasitic nature makes velvetbells quite challenging to cultivate in typical garden settings. Unlike your average perennial that you can simply plant and care for independently, velvetbells likely needs specific host plants nearby to thrive. This dependency makes it a poor candidate for most home gardens and landscape applications.
Why Most Gardeners Should Look Elsewhere
While velvetbells certainly has appeal as a native species, several factors make it impractical for most gardening situations:
- Limited cultivation information available
- Likely semi-parasitic growth requirements
- Specialized northern habitat preferences
- Uncertainty about propagation methods
- Unknown garden performance characteristics
Better Native Alternatives for Your Garden
If you’re interested in supporting native plants in your landscape, consider these more garden-friendly northern natives instead:
- Wild bergamot for pollinator appeal
- Purple prairie clover for unique texture
- Wild columbine for delicate beauty
- Canada anemone for groundcover
Appreciating Velvetbells in the Wild
Rather than trying to bring velvetbells into your garden, the best way to appreciate this mysterious native is to encounter it in its natural habitat. If you’re hiking or exploring in the northern regions where it grows, keep an eye out for this interesting perennial. It’s a reminder that our native flora includes many specialized species that have evolved for very specific ecological niches.
Sometimes the most valuable thing we can do for rare or unusual natives like velvetbells is simply to protect their wild spaces and admire them where they naturally belong. Not every native plant needs to find its way into our gardens – some are perfectly content staying wild and free in the landscapes they’ve called home for thousands of years.
