Gentiana andrewsii
Bottle Gentian
DESCRIPTION
Bottle GentianGentiana andrewsii
- Plant listed for information only. Not currently being sold at Garden Centers
Dark green leaves form an upright plant through most of the summer months, creating a great background for other spring and summer flowers. Come late summer, large buds form on the stem tips and deep blue-violet flowers bloom throughout September. Great massed to create cover for a variety of wildlife.
BENEFITS
Unique, deep blue flowers in late summer and fallPetals never open so the flower looks like a bud
Bumblebees are strong enough to push past the closed petals
Foliage and roots are bitter-tasting, herbivores leave it alone
Slow growing but long lived perennial
Once established, needs little care
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Moist woods and swampy areas from North Dakota south to Nebraska and east to New Hampshire and Virginia.
Map Credit: The Biota of North America
Map Key: Green (native), Teal (native, adventive), Blue (present), Yellow (present & rare), Red (extinct)
Interesting Facts
Populations of Bottle Gentian are declining due to destruction of wetlands. While out hiking look for Bottle Gentian in areas of moist black soil prairies.
GROWING TIPS
Prefers moist, humusy, acidic, well-drained soils in part shade. Does not grow well in the deep South because of high night time temperatures.