Mertensia bella -

Family:	Boraginaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Synonyms:
Range:	Western N. America - Oregon and Idaho.

Mertensia bella () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Mertensia bella will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Mertensia bella prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Mertensia bella can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Wet meadows, moist slopes and springy banks at mid-altitudes in mountains[60].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

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[60]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in an ordinary garden soil with some shade[1, 111].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Flowers - raw[172]. Leaves - raw or cooked[172]. The leaves are rather hairy and are not so nice when eaten raw[172].

• Flowers -
• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1, 200]. Sow stored seed as early in the year as possible. Protect from direct sunlight[200]. 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[200].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

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