wetland wildflower
Mountain bluebells
Mertensia ciliata
Also known as Tall Fringed Bluebells, Tall Fringe Bluebells
1 of 3Native to the Rockies, the Southwest, and the Pacific Coast
Colorado and extreme northern New Mexico to California Sierras, north to western Montana and southeastern Washington
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Wet Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jun–Aug Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland wildflower for partial shade and wet soil. At up to 3 ft, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Yellow-faced Bumble Bee
also Western Honey Bee, Bombus fervidus, Red-belted Bumble Bee +12 more
Fuzzy-Horned Bumble Bee, Two-form Bumble Bee, Yellow-fronted Bumble Bee, Great Basin Bumble Bee, Western Bumble Bee, Van Dyke's Bumble Bee, Forest Bumble Bee, Golden-belted Bumble Bee, California Mason Bee, Neat Mason, Andrena transnigra, Bombus balteatus
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Rockies, the Southwest, and the Pacific CoastUnited States (9): CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WY. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Colorado and extreme northern New Mexico to California Sierras, north to western Montana and southeastern WashingtonThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- WetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Moist to wet loams & sandy loamsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- 6.2–7.2The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- HighHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- HighHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- LowHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.3 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 10+ in (25+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jun–AugWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- BlueThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- SchizocarpThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Required (cold, moist)Whether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Bare root, cuttings, seedHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~0.2 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seed spread rate
- SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- LowHow strongly young seedlings establish.
- Vegetative spread
- SlowWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.