Mertensia bella
a perennial member of the Mertensia genus in the family Boraginaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Genus
- Mertensia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Flowers - raw[3]. Leaves - raw or cooked[3]. The leaves are rather hairy and are not so nice when eaten raw[3].
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Leaves
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - Oregon and Idaho.
- Habitat
- Wet meadows, moist slopes and springy banks at mid-altitudes in mountains[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- high
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1][4]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Protect from direct sunlight[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division, with care, in early spring or autumn[4].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in at least the milder areas of the country. It is said to be a very distinct member of the genus with no close allies[5]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in an ordinary garden soil with some shade[1][2].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00