Gentian

9 years ago

I have to say, I quite enjoyed gentian this summer. I bought one on a whim last fall, I had been curious about gentian for some time and when I saw it at the nursery I figured what the heck. I planted it next to some ferns around the back side of the bed (moist bright shade, maybe an hour or two of afternoon sun) and forgot about it. When I noticed it this summer, I was struck by those gorgeous blooms, that rich blue color is stunning! It still has a few blooms on it, and the plant itself has stayed nice and tidy - foliage is nothing to write home about and I wouldn't consider it front of the border material, but it is fine.

I can't remember whether it is cross gentian or "True Blue". I was at the nursery today and picked up two "True Blue" to add to the planting. The nursery had both cross gentian and TB, but I decided to get the TB. Does anyone know the difference between the two? They looked the same to me other than cross gentian was taller and flopping; it was a larger, more mature plant, though. Flowers looked same on both, and plant tag indicated same height for both.

Anyway, I'm very pleased with gentian, glad I finally tried it!

Comments (5)

sunnyborders
9 years ago
Haven't had Gentiana cruciata for some years, but Gentiana 'True Blue' certainly has larger flowers.

G. 'True Blue' is a hybrid of two other species and was specifically produced for large, long-lasting flowers on an upright plant.

Have had two 'True Blue' for several years, but am currently not finding it's a very vigorous gentian.
christinmk z5b eastern WA
9 years ago
I love them too. What a nice shock of blue!

I've had G. septemfida for a couple of years. I put it in way too much sun for awhile there. Moved it to a new shade garden in the back and it has done phenomenally. It is a pretty leggy fellow, but that is made up for by those vivid blooms.

Had to prop this flower cluster up a bit to get the full effect...
CMK
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christinmk z5b eastern WA
9 years ago
Forgot to mention the G. makinoi (from cultivar 'Marsha') I started from seed a couple years ago!

Taken awhile, but there is a nice bloom staring on a plant out back. One of the plants (to left of budding plant in pic) is very unusual. In spring there seems to be a fine flecking of gold. It greens out a bit in summer. When I went to snap the pic this morning I also noticed some purplish coloration in the veining. Not sure, but the buds look as if the flowers will be white instead of blue. Oh well, variation is always a good thing ;-)
CMK
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
9 years ago
I have some willow gentians (no picture) growing in the planter around my koi pool, and this G. septemfida was growing in the edge of a gravel path in full sun, it's since been moved to a small hypertufa trough.
Annette
sunnyborders
9 years ago
As above, have a Gentiana septemfida var. lagodechiana in semi-shade. It always does well. Have had it about ten years.

Thought I'd try (spring) Gentiana acaulis Group this year.
Below: May 30, 2014.