Mertensia oblongifolia -

Family:	Boraginaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.3
Synonyms:
Range:	Western N. America.

Mertensia oblongifolia () is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 4.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Mertensia oblongifolia 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 oblongifolia prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

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

Open slopes and drier meadows, often amongst sagebrush, from the plains and foothills to moderate elevations in the mountains, occasionally to the alpine zone[60].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

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

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil with some shade[1, 111]. A rather difficult plant to grow, it is best in a moist position[1].

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

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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