tall bluebells
Mertensia paniculata
USDA zones3 to 9
SunHandles full sun or partial sun or full shade
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size1 to 3 feet tall
- Habit
- Subshrub
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Blue
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Tall bluebells (Mertensia paniculata) is a perennial for woodland gardens, meadows, and low maintenance beds. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and average to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It bears blue flowers in spring and again in summer. Birds visit the plants. Tall bluebells belongs to the borage family, and its stems are often covered with bristly hairs.
Pairs well with Dutchman's breeches, Cinnamon fern, and Lungwort.
Native range
AK, CT, IA, ID, and 13 more places. See all 17
AK, CT, IA, ID, MI, MN, MT, OR, WA, WI; AB, BC, MB, NT, ON, QC, SK, and YT.