Mertensia simplicissima
Trailing bluebell, Oyster plant
- Height × spread
- 0.9m × 0.4m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This has light-blue-green leaves, smooth and glaucous. It flowers from the end of spring producing rich-blue, slim, bell-like flowers that are carried at the ends of spreading stems. This is perfect in the gentle dappled light of a wood where it enjoys well drained soil that is of low fertility. It reaches around 90cm (3ft) height with 40cm (16in) spread.
- Flower colour
- Blue
- Foliage colour
- Blue
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.9m
- Spread
- 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.