Mertensia Species, Virginia Bluebells, Virginia Cowslip, Lungwort Oysterleaf
Mertensiavirginica

<h1>Mertensia Species, Virginia Bluebells, Virginia Cowslip, Lungwort Oysterleaf<br><i>Mertensia</i><i>virginica</i></h1>

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                            <b>Family: Boraginaceae</b>
                                                        <b>Genus: <i>Mertensia</i></b>
                                    (mer-TEN-see-uh)<br>
                                        
                            <b>Species: <i>virginica</i></b>
                                    (vir-JIN-ih-kuh)<br>
                            
            
                        
                        
                        
            
                        
                        
                        
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                                                        <P><B>Category</B></P>
                                                                        Perennials<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Water Requirements</B></P>
                                                                        Average Water Needs;  Water regularly; do not overwater<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Sun Exposure</B></P>
                                                                        Partial to Full Shade<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Foliage</B></P>
                                                                        Herbaceous<BR>
                                                                                                Smooth<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Foliage Color</B></P>
                                                                        Blue-Green<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Height</B></P>
                                                                        18-24 in. (45-60 cm)<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Spacing</B></P>
                                                                        9-12 in. (22-30 cm)<BR>
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                                                        <P><B>Hardiness</B></P>
                                                                        USDA Zone 3a:  to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)<BR>
                                                                                                USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)<BR>
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                                                                                            <P><B>Where to Grow</B></P>
                                                                        Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Danger</B></P>
                                                                        N/A<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Color</B></P>
                                                                        Pink<BR>
                                                                                                Dark Blue<BR>
                                                                                                Lavender<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Characteristics</B></P>
                                                                        This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds<BR>
                                                                <BR>
                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Size</B></P>
                                                                        Unknown
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Bloom Time</B></P>
                                                                        Mid Spring<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Other details</B></P>
                                                                        Unknown
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Soil pH requirements</B></P>
                                                                        6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)<BR>
                                                                                                6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)<BR>
                                                                                                7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Patent Information</B></P>
                                                                        Non-patented<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Propagation Methods</B></P>
                                                                        By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)<BR>
                                                                                                From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall<BR>
                                                                                                From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse<BR>
                                                                                                From seed; stratify if sowing indoors<BR>
                                                                                                From seed; direct sow after last frost<BR>
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                                                                                                    <P><B>Seed Collecting</B></P>
                                                                        Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed<BR>
                                                                                                Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds<BR>
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