Mertensia ciliata aka Mountain Bluebells

Mertensia ciliata is a perennial in the borage family, Boraginaceae. Its common names include mountain bell and tall fringed bluebells. It comes from the western and central United States. Its range includes California, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. It also grows in Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico. Kew places it in subalpine or subarctic climates. In the wild, it grows beside streams and in wet meadows. It also occupies damp thickets and wet cliffs. These sites range from foothills to high mountain slopes.

In gardens, this plant reaches about 2.6 feet (0.8 metres) tall. Its spread is about 1 foot (0.3 metres). It returns each year as a perennial. The leaves have hairs, which can affect their texture when eaten. Flowers appear from May through July. Each flower has both male and female organs. The supplied species accounts give no further flower or fruit details. They also give little detail about the stems or leaf shape.

Moisture is a key part of its growing needs. It prefers soil that stays moist or wet. PFAF describes moist, peaty soil as suitable for cultivation. It also reports success in ordinary garden soil with some shade. The plant can grow in full sun or light shade. It accepts sandy soil, loam, and clay. It also tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline conditions. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8. It reports cold tolerance to about −20°C. Its wetland habitats make it a candidate for bog gardens. Cultivated beds also suit it where the soil remains moist.

PFAF lists both flowers and leaves as edible parts. Flowers can be eaten raw, while leaves can be raw or cooked. The leaf hairs make raw leaves less pleasant to eat. PFAF gives its food value a low rating. It lists no known hazards, but this does not establish safety. The source also records past medicinal uses of plant infusions. These include use to increase milk flow and ease itching. Such reports do not establish that these treatments work or are safe.

Growers can raise new plants from seed or careful division. PFAF recommends sowing fresh seed in a cold frame. It advises keeping seedlings out of direct sun. Young plants spend their first winter under greenhouse protection. Division is possible in early spring or autumn. PFAF does not flag the species as weedy.