Gentiana acaulis
Gentiana acaulis
This is regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular alpine plants. It is one of 400 species of Gentian. The genus is found in many countries of the world including New Zealand.
Gentian acaulis is native of Europe where it has been well known for 100's of years.
It is the best known and loved of the gentians and in the garden can be used in a rock garden or at the front of a border. Its neat, low growing (20-40mm) compact tufted clusters of evergreen, dark green, pointed leaves growing from a small rosette makes it an attractive plant all year round.
In spring and early summer signs of large trumpet shaped flowers can be seen emerging from the foliage. These long sharp ended sausage shaped buds soon open to produce a wide mouthed, trumpet shaped, rich, deep blue flower of exquisite quality. The interior markings are to be seen to be believed.
The single trumpet shaped flowers grow quite erect on short stalks. Each is a true, deep, electric blue colour with a strip of olive green ridges and spots on a lighter blue, almost metallic, background running down the centre of each fused petal. The outside of the flower has a metallic sheen to it making a most striking flower. The stigma and anthers (on a light blue stalk) are bright lemon yellow and contrast brilliantly with the dark blue petals.
The trumpet shaped flowers are between 20mm and 60mm and up to 60mm across the open trumpet. They are held on short stems 50 to 150mm long. When the flowers set seed this stem elongates to hold the seed head higher for ripening and seed dispersal. The flowers love to face into the sun. It is pollinated by bees, birds and butterflies.
To really grow successfully plant it in a sunny or even very sunny spot on the garden as long as it needs a long, deep root run. It is very hardy, slow spreading, mat forming plant for the rock garden or front of a border which gets sun and some shade each day.
In its native habitat it can be found in the central and southern European Mountain namely Balkins, Jura, Cevennes, Pyrenees and Carpathians in rocky meadows, screes and alpine and subalpine coniferous forest at an altitude of 800 to 1500metres. Its natural population is declining throughout Europe.
It lives in a variety of soil types but prefers a rich, acid well drained and evenly cool and moist soil. With such a diverse habitat it will generally grow in most locations.
Its name tells its story well. Gentiana named after Gentius a 2nd Century BCE King of Illyria who is said to have discovered the medical properties of some of this genus. Acaulis means stemless referring to its short stems holding the flowers.
It is valued for its beautiful blue, complexly coloured flowers and was awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the RHS in 1967.
Its medicinal uses are quite extensive as it is used in tonics, and some anti-smoking formulas and cosmetics. Traditionally it was used to make bitters to stimulate appetite, improve digestion and fix stomach complaints. It has been used to treat wounds, sore throats, arthritis, inflammation and jaundice.
Overseas a number of forms have been selected and they include Gentiana acaulis 'Alba', 'Alpina', 'Azura', and 'Gigantea'. Other cultivars include ‘Holzmann’, a vigorous grower, ‘Strathmore’ a sky blue colour ‘Undulatifolia’ with the best upright opening trumpets, ‘Coerulea’ opening in very pale blue and turning white, ‘Maxima’ slightly larger flower, ‘Renate’ a heavy flowering form, ‘Sternschuppe’ light blue with very large trumpets and various hybrids also exist.
No wonder this is a much loved plant not just for its exquisite flowers but for all its other wonderful properties.
A selection of photos can be found on my Pinterest page Gentiana acaulis
Gentiana acaulis has been featured on stamps because it is so sought after as a garden plant.
Gentian acaulis is native of Europe where it has been well known for 100's of years.
It is the best known and loved of the gentians and in the garden can be used in a rock garden or at the front of a border. Its neat, low growing (20-40mm) compact tufted clusters of evergreen, dark green, pointed leaves growing from a small rosette makes it an attractive plant all year round.
In spring and early summer signs of large trumpet shaped flowers can be seen emerging from the foliage. These long sharp ended sausage shaped buds soon open to produce a wide mouthed, trumpet shaped, rich, deep blue flower of exquisite quality. The interior markings are to be seen to be believed.
The single trumpet shaped flowers grow quite erect on short stalks. Each is a true, deep, electric blue colour with a strip of olive green ridges and spots on a lighter blue, almost metallic, background running down the centre of each fused petal. The outside of the flower has a metallic sheen to it making a most striking flower. The stigma and anthers (on a light blue stalk) are bright lemon yellow and contrast brilliantly with the dark blue petals.
The trumpet shaped flowers are between 20mm and 60mm and up to 60mm across the open trumpet. They are held on short stems 50 to 150mm long. When the flowers set seed this stem elongates to hold the seed head higher for ripening and seed dispersal. The flowers love to face into the sun. It is pollinated by bees, birds and butterflies.
To really grow successfully plant it in a sunny or even very sunny spot on the garden as long as it needs a long, deep root run. It is very hardy, slow spreading, mat forming plant for the rock garden or front of a border which gets sun and some shade each day.
In its native habitat it can be found in the central and southern European Mountain namely Balkins, Jura, Cevennes, Pyrenees and Carpathians in rocky meadows, screes and alpine and subalpine coniferous forest at an altitude of 800 to 1500metres. Its natural population is declining throughout Europe.
It lives in a variety of soil types but prefers a rich, acid well drained and evenly cool and moist soil. With such a diverse habitat it will generally grow in most locations.
Its name tells its story well. Gentiana named after Gentius a 2nd Century BCE King of Illyria who is said to have discovered the medical properties of some of this genus. Acaulis means stemless referring to its short stems holding the flowers.
It is valued for its beautiful blue, complexly coloured flowers and was awarded the Award of Garden Merit by the RHS in 1967.
Its medicinal uses are quite extensive as it is used in tonics, and some anti-smoking formulas and cosmetics. Traditionally it was used to make bitters to stimulate appetite, improve digestion and fix stomach complaints. It has been used to treat wounds, sore throats, arthritis, inflammation and jaundice.
Overseas a number of forms have been selected and they include Gentiana acaulis 'Alba', 'Alpina', 'Azura', and 'Gigantea'. Other cultivars include ‘Holzmann’, a vigorous grower, ‘Strathmore’ a sky blue colour ‘Undulatifolia’ with the best upright opening trumpets, ‘Coerulea’ opening in very pale blue and turning white, ‘Maxima’ slightly larger flower, ‘Renate’ a heavy flowering form, ‘Sternschuppe’ light blue with very large trumpets and various hybrids also exist.
No wonder this is a much loved plant not just for its exquisite flowers but for all its other wonderful properties.
A selection of photos can be found on my Pinterest page Gentiana acaulis
Gentiana acaulis has been featured on stamps because it is so sought after as a garden plant.