Gentian

Gruntfuttock · Post by **Gruntfuttock** » Oct 26, 2007 5:03 pm

What a little autumn flowering beauty this gentian is, I took this today. The stripes up the sides of the buds add an extra interest.

eastwood2007 · Post by **eastwood2007** » Oct 27, 2007 12:26 am

Awesome!!!! I'm going to have to get one of those! What delightful little flowers!

JoshS · Post by **JoshS** » Oct 27, 2007 11:26 am

Do you know what species it is?

Post by **Chris_W** » Oct 27, 2007 11:48 am

Very pretty little flowers

I currently have 2 types of Gentian, while attempts to grow a 3rd type have failed miserably...

One is a ground hugging type that might be the same as yours. It is Gentiana sept. var. 'Lagodechiana'. I've tried it in 3 spots and it has grown in each: Full sun, dry and well-drained; full sun, rich, well-draining; full shade, rich, moist. The best growth and blossoms were in the dry well-draining site, but I think it is still a little too hot since the foliage was better in the other spots.

The other type that is growing like crazy in the bog is fringed Gentian, Gentiana crinita. This is an alkaline bog (a fen) and these grow wild by the thousands. Very pretty in the fall

I don't remember the 3rd species that I've tried, but I gave up finally since I could never find the right spot for them.

DryGulch · Post by **DryGulch** » Oct 30, 2007 8:29 am

I grow the Blue Bottle native gentian, which never fully opens. It was pretty spectacular this year and the foliage turned a nice orangey-maroon at the first frost, but it has taken 3 years to mature. It is definitely a plant for collectors only. I grow it in fairly sandy soil. I've got plenty of seed for anyone who wants it.

I think I much prefer the one posted first here!

Gruntfuttock · Post by **Gruntfuttock** » Nov 11, 2007 3:18 pm

It's gentian sinensis I believe. I grow it in a half barrel in a typical alpine mix with a lot of grit. Hence drainage is very good.