Re: Favorite Spring Perennials/ Mertensia

Hello Ginny,
    Yep. Have Mertensia maritima var asiatica in the garden. It is in bloom right
now. This species (if they ever make up their minds on the exact name for it) is
worth growing just for the foliage. However, it is also excellent slug bait. Mine
is a bit more of a trailer than a rosette. Tends to reach out in a relaxed manner.
Blooms are very tiny but very intense blue. Never gets more than 4 inches off the
ground.
    I have mine just inside the drip line of an old cedar tree on an embankment
near a path where it can be seen well. Not exactly the recommended spot, but it
does well if I do not forget to water it once in a while. It does seem to be
pretty tolerant plant. Perhaps more so than is written.
    I did locate seeds of M. Siberia last year and now have a couple of trays of
seedlings. All I have to do is nurse them along for another 2 years and I will
have 3 for my garden and the rest goes into the nursery.
    This year my big push in the garden for fall planting was Lilium. Species
Lilium are now planted throughout the garden in both shade and the more open
spaces. Be interesting to see how they all do this coming summer and how effective
they will be with the already existing plants.
    Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Ginny <vhw95@fast.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 31, 1999 8:09 AM
Subject: Re: Favorite Spring Perennials/ Mertensia


> Gene,
>
> Are you familiar with Mertensia maritima var. asiatica?  This one doesn't go
> summer dormant and has silverish, bluish foliage that forms a tight rosette.
> Foliage appears late March, early April.  It has blue flowers, likes full
> sun to partial shade and very well-drained soil.  It is also a salt tolerant
> plant.
>
> I found seed on one of the seed exchanges last winter, had it germinate and
> finally planted it out, but I fear that I lost it to the drought.  I will
> definitely try it again for the foliage, it is quite attractive.
>
> Ginny (zone 6 in PA)
>
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