Mertensia maritima

'Oyster Plant'

Boraginaceae: a spreading plant found on stony beaches, around the high-tide mark. The bell-shaped flowers are pink in bud but soon turn blue, blooming from June-August. The leaves are fleshy, blue-green leaves. Native to throughout the temperate regions of both hemispheres, including Britain. Uncommon and declining. The best locations to see this species in Britain are Shetland and Orkney. Native to the Northern hemisphere, reaching north to the northern parts of Canada, Greenland and Svalbard.

USES:

The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and are said to taste of oysters.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow seeds in autumn or spring sown. Germination usually takes place within a month. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Thrives in nutritionally poor sandy or gravelly soils in a sunny position. Requiring a well-drained soil and dislikes shade. Plants are resentful of root disturbance and should be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible. Plants are very susceptible to slug damage.

HARVESTED: 

 
APPROX. 20+ SEEDS