Prairie Bluebells: A Rocky Mountain Native Worth Discovering
If you’re gardening in the high country of Colorado or Wyoming and looking for native plants that truly belong in your landscape, prairie bluebells (Mertensia lanceolata var. secundorum) might just be the hidden gem you’ve been searching for. This perennial wildflower is as authentically local as it gets – and that’s both its greatest appeal and its biggest challenge for home gardeners.
What Makes Prairie Bluebells Special?
Prairie bluebells are what botanists call a forb – essentially a non-woody flowering plant that comes back year after year. Unlike their shrubby garden neighbors, these plants stay relatively low to the ground and put their energy into those gorgeous blooms rather than building woody stems. Think of them as the prairie’s answer to your favorite perennial flower bed additions.
This particular variety is a true native to the American West, specifically calling Colorado and Wyoming home. In our world of globalized gardening where plants from every continent end up in our yards, there’s something refreshingly honest about growing a plant that evolved right in your backyard.
The Reality Check: Limited Cultivation Information
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit challenging): prairie bluebells var. secundorum is one of those plants that’s better known to botanists than to gardeners. While we know it’s a hardy perennial that belongs in Rocky Mountain landscapes, detailed growing information is surprisingly scarce. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing – it just means you’ll be joining a small club of adventurous gardeners willing to experiment with truly local natives.
Why Consider Prairie Bluebells for Your Garden?
- Authentic native credentials: This plant has been thriving in Colorado and Wyoming long before humans arrived with their gardening ideas
- Perennial reliability: Once established, it should return year after year without replanting
- Low-maintenance potential: Native plants typically require less water, fertilizer, and fussing than non-natives
- Ecological authenticity: You’re supporting the plant communities that naturally belong in your area
The Responsible Growing Approach
Given the limited cultivation information available for this specific variety, your best bet is to observe how it grows in nature and try to replicate those conditions. If you’re lucky enough to spot prairie bluebells in the wild during your mountain adventures, take note of their surroundings – the soil type, moisture levels, sun exposure, and companion plants.
Since detailed growing guides are scarce, consider starting small with just a few plants to see how they perform in your specific garden conditions. This also aligns with responsible native plant gardening, especially since the conservation status of this variety is somewhat undefined.
Sourcing Responsibly
If you decide to try prairie bluebells, make sure you’re getting them from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate their stock rather than wild-collecting. Never dig plants from the wild – besides being potentially illegal, it can harm wild populations of plants that may already be uncommon.
The Bottom Line
Prairie bluebells var. secundorum represents the exciting frontier of native gardening – plants that are undoubtedly right for your location but haven’t yet made it into the mainstream gardening world. If you’re the type of gardener who enjoys being a pioneer and doesn’t mind a bit of trial and error, this could be a rewarding addition to your native plant collection.
Just remember: with great native plant power comes great responsibility. Start small, observe carefully, and always source your plants ethically. Your local ecosystem will thank you for the effort.
