Gentiana
Gentian
- Height × spread
- 0.12m – 1.2m × 0.2m – 1.2m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A range of plants that are highly regarded for their trumpet flowers. There are a great number of dwarf forms and cultivars available that have blue and white flowers. Many of them are grown as treasures in alpine houses so that the large trumpet flowers can be observed in perfect condition. A number of small forms are planted in drifts in gardens, a classic combination being blue gentians intermixed with the fallen red leaves of an acer. There are more robust forms such as Gentiana asclepiadea, the willow gentian with its long arching stems that carry blue or white flowers. More surprising is the sturdy yellow gentian Gentiana lutea that stands up to 1.5 metres in height. They like acidic or neutral soil with shade at height of day and rich soil with moisture available.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cone, Dome
- Height
- 0.12m – 1.2m
- Spread
- 0.2m – 1.2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Shady court, Rock garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Feed & mulch some rose varieties differently
To keep roses healthy and produce more flowers, feed during the growing season before and after flowering. Roses in containers should be fed more often than those planted in the ground, every two weeks from mid spring to late summer. Adding a mulch around the base of a rose will trap moisture and enrich the soil as it biodegrades.
Found in
More Gentiana
Gentiana asclepiadea
Willow gentian, Swallow wort
Gentiana clusii
Trumpet gentian, Clusia leaved gentian
Gentiana lutea
Bitterwort, Felwort, Great yellow gentian
Gentiana septemfida
Crested Gentian
Gentiana sino-ornata
Chinese gentian
Gentiana verna
Spring gentian, Vernal gentian
Gentiana occidentalis
Pyrenean gentian
Gentiana scabra Rocky Diamond Blue Heart = 'Genfire'
Japanese gentian