Topic: Gentian blue

[Palustris]

And closer to

[Doris_Pinks]

Oh how envious am I !! Have given up trying to grow them, they don't like living in my garden!  They are beautiful.

[Kerry]

very lovely indeed, and an unusual colour to have around at this time of year. grown from seed????

[Gardengirl]

Eric I bought a Gentiana this year and put it on my pond rockery.  Unfortunately it died right back after getting a soaking by the heavy rain.  Not wanting to lose it I potted it up and put it in my greenhouse where it is recovering.  Do you know if they like certain conditions.......or maybe the dogs just pee'd on it :o

Pat

[Palustris]

It depends on the variety. a.Spring flowering gentians like G verna like a well drained soil with some lime in it. b.Meadow gentians like G asclepidea don't seem to mind as long as there is plenty of moisture in the soil during Summer, but not waterlogged in Winter c. Autumn gentians like G.sino-ornata like a well drained lime free soil with either peat or leaf mould which does not dry out in Summer. All of them prefer sun or light dappled shade, though the meadow ones do not mind if their basal leaves are shaded by other meadow type plants.
Hope this is some use to you.

[Gardengirl]

Thanks for that Eric.  The variety I have is Gentiana scabra - I bought it at Castle Howard in August when it was in full bloom.  I did not realise there were so many varieties.

Pat

[Palustris]

I think this is G.scabra, also comes in white and pink.
Taken Today at lunchtime growing on the Gravel garden next to a Trough, in rich neutral soil.

[Mrs Ava]

They are stunning, such a BLUE blue.  I tried to grow them when I lived at 'home' yonks ago, but they never survived.  Think I would have to provide them with their own little garden here in my waterlogged Essex patch!  Gorgeous pics Eric.

[Gardengirl]

Here is my G.scabra - hope it recovers for next year.  I think I may put it in a pot or trough with gravel as you have done Eric.