Mertensia paniculata (Tall Bluebells)

Mertensia paniculata (Tall Bluebells) is an upright perennial with erect stems arising from a stout rhizome and puckered oval blue-green leaves. Each stem produces one to several branched clusters of pendent, bell-shaped, bright blue flowers (sometimes pink or white) in late spring to mid-summer. If the plant is cut down after flowering, it will normally produce another flush of flowers. Borne at the stem tips or from the upper leaf axils, the charming blossoms give way to fruits that ripen in late summer to early fall. The plant dies back and disappears after flowering is finished. Found in moist open woods, shady embankments, thickets, banks, and low moist grasslands from Alaska east to Quebec and south to Wisconsin and Oregon, Tall Bluebells is a very ornamental plant with a commanding presence and beautiful flowers. It spreads fairly quickly as a garden plant, both by seed and by rhizomes, and makes an excellent choice for a partly shaded site. Easy to grow, Tall Bluebells deserve a spot in the spring garden for the pleasure they provide.

• Grows up to 8-30 in. tall (20-75 cm).
• Thrives in moist to wet soils in sun or part shade.
• Generally disease free. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails.
• Cut back after flowering
• Propagate by seed.
• Can be toxic and in some cases fatal to animals.
• Native to North America. It is distributed from Alaska east to Quebec and south to Wisconsin and Oregon.