Eastwood’s Bluebells: A Rare Alaskan Native Worth Knowing About
If you’re passionate about native plants and drawn to rare botanical treasures, you might want to learn about Eastwood’s bluebells (Mertensia paniculata var. eastwoodiae). This perennial wildflower is a special variety that calls Alaska home, though it’s not exactly what you’d call common garden center fare.
What Makes Eastwood’s Bluebells Special
Eastwood’s bluebells is a herbaceous perennial that belongs to the borage family. As a forb, it’s a non-woody plant that dies back to the ground each year but returns from its roots season after season. You might also see it referenced in botanical literature under its synonyms Mertensia eastwoodiae or Mertensia paniculata ssp. eastwoodiae.
Where You’ll Find This Alaskan Native
This distinctive variety is native exclusively to Alaska, making it a true northern specialist. Its limited geographic range contributes to what makes it such a noteworthy plant for those interested in regional flora.
- Species observed
- No observations
A Word About Rarity
Here’s something important to know: Eastwood’s bluebells has a Global Conservation Status of S5T3, which indicates this variety has some conservation concerns. If you’re considering adding this plant to your garden, it’s crucial to source it responsibly. This means:
- Only purchase from reputable native plant nurseries
- Ensure any plants or seeds are ethically propagated, not wild-collected
- Never collect plants or seeds from wild populations
- Consider supporting conservation efforts for rare native plants
Growing Conditions and Habitat
Eastwood’s bluebells is classified as Facultative Upland in Alaska, which means it typically grows in non-wetland areas but can occasionally be found in wetland environments. This suggests it’s relatively adaptable to different moisture conditions, though it seems to prefer drier sites overall.
Unfortunately, specific growing requirements, hardiness zones, and cultivation tips for this particular variety are not well-documented in horticultural literature. This is common with rare native varieties that haven’t been widely cultivated.
Should You Grow Eastwood’s Bluebells?
The decision to grow this rare native comes with considerations:
Reasons you might want to grow it:
- You’re passionate about preserving rare native plants
- You live in Alaska and want to support local flora
- You have experience growing challenging or uncommon native species
- You can source it from ethical, conservation-minded suppliers
Reasons you might choose alternatives:
- Limited availability and cultivation information
- Ethical concerns about growing rare plants
- Uncertainty about growing requirements
- You’re looking for easier-to-find native alternatives
Native Alternatives to Consider
If you’re drawn to the idea of bluebells but want something more readily available, consider looking into the broader species Mertensia paniculata (tall bluebells) or other native Mertensia species that might be more common in cultivation and better documented for garden use.
The Bottom Line
Eastwood’s bluebells represents the fascinating diversity found in our native plant communities, but it’s not a beginner’s plant by any means. If you’re interested in this rare variety, approach it as a conservation-minded gardener who prioritizes ethical sourcing and species preservation. Sometimes the most valuable thing we can do for rare plants is simply to appreciate and protect them where they naturally occur.