Mertensia
Hardy Perennial.
Eighteen inches to two feet.
Flowers blue, in June.
A pretty perennial which is not so much grown
as it deserves to be. It is absolutely hardy,
and will grow without attention in one place for
five or six years at least.
It is not unlike the wild Comfrey, to which it
is allied, but its leaves are smooth and glaucous,
and its arching sprays of flower.
Though showing pink when first open, turn to
a beautiful light turquoise blue.
The leaves have a characteristic taste, which
gives to the family its common name of Oyster
Plant.
Pieces of root should be planted in good garden
soil in October or February – the latter
in all heavy soils and unkindly climates; the
after care consists in the removal of the dead
growth in autumn and a liberal top-dressing.
The clumps may be broken up and replanted the
fourth year; but they will flourish undisturbed
for a length of time contrary to all the rules.
The best variety is Mertensia Siberica; Mertensia Virginica
has flowers of a deeper shade of blue.
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