Mertensia maritima “Oysterleaf”

We are completely smitten with this rare, scrumptious wildflower. It grows (& glows!) along the beaches of New England, Greenland, & Ireland with irresistible sky blue, rounded leaves, whose lustrous “bloom” (like the finish on grapes) is sensitive to the touch. It has a low habit, growing 4” tall & about 1’ wide, & though it would probably prefer beach-front housing, would do equally well in a largish pot, at the edge of a garden bed, or in a rock garden. Needing average water & moderate soil fertility, I would definitely bait for snails, lest you let this delicacy go to waste! The beautiful flowers are pink in bud, & fade to blue with age, & are produced in clusters at the end of the stems from Spring through Summer. The leaves are reported to taste like oysters, which gives this plant its common name.

Claire Woods
Propagator