Gentiana

The Gentiana genus includes more than 400 annual and perennial species. Some of them have been used since ancient times in medicine, others as decorative-they are valued for their leaves and flowers, often of the most beautiful blue color. These are low-growing plants, suitable for a rocky garden, with bell-shaped flowers. Stemless gentian (Gentiana acaulis) is called several different species of European origin: Koch's gentian (G. kochiana), narrow-leaved gentian (G. angustifolia) and others. Their average height is 10 cm. Leaves of oval or elliptical shape are collected in basal rosettes. Blooms in May and June. Gentian asclepiadea is a European mountain plant with a height of 50 cm. It has fragile curved stems, opposite lanceolate leaves covered with pronounced veins; collected in a brush, bell-shaped flowers bloom throughout the summer. The ciliated gentian (G. ciliata) is a 10-20 cm tall species found in the forests covering the Alps and Apennines. Light blue flowers consist of four fringed lobes; blooms in summer and autumn. The slender-stemmed gentian (G. gracilipes) is a species of Chinese origin with funnel-shaped purplish-blue flowers with green spots on the outside. From the center of the leaf rosette, consisting of lanceolate leaves, branched shoots grow. Yellow gentian (G. lutea) is the most valuable species for the medicinal use of its roots. It grows up to 1.5 m in height; oval leaves are opposite; small yellow stellate flowers are collected in axillary whorls. Gentiana x 'Stevenagensis' - a stable hybrid, from a rosette formed by lanceolate leaves grow peduncles; blue flowers bloom in autumn. Gentian saxosa (G. saxosa), which originated from New Zealand, is distinguished by large bell-shaped flowers on a purple-green peduncle growing from the center of a basal, glossy rosette leaves. Gentian semida (G. semida) - a species 30 cm high, with a rosette of lanceolate leaves; blue bell-shaped flowers are collected in a brush. Spring gentian (G. verna ) is a European plant 10 cm tall with reddish recumbent shoots and bright blue single flowers. From it originates the variety 'Angulosa' with blue star-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring.

The Gentiana genus includes more than 400 annual and perennial species. Some of them have been used since ancient times in medicine, others as decorative-they are valued for their leaves and flowers, often of the most beautiful blue color. These are low-growing plants, suitable for a rocky garden, with bell-shaped flowers.

Stemless gentian (Gentiana acaulis) is called several different species of European origin: Koch's gentian (G. kochiana), narrow-leaved gentian (G. angustifolia) and others. Their average height is 10 cm. Leaves of oval or elliptical shape are collected in basal rosettes. Blooms in May and June.

Gentian asclepiadea is a European mountain plant with a height of 50 cm. It has fragile curved stems, opposite lanceolate leaves covered with pronounced veins; collected in a brush, bell-shaped flowers bloom throughout the summer.

The ciliated gentian (G. ciliata) is a 10-20 cm tall species found in the forests covering the Alps and Apennines. Light blue flowers consist of four fringed lobes; blooms in summer and autumn.

The slender-stemmed gentian (G. gracilipes) is a species of Chinese origin with funnel-shaped purplish-blue flowers with green spots on the outside. From the center of the leaf rosette, consisting of lanceolate leaves, branched shoots grow.

Yellow gentian (G. lutea) is the most valuable species for the medicinal use of its roots. It grows up to 1.5 m in height; oval leaves are opposite; small yellow stellate flowers are collected in axillary whorls.

Gentiana x 'Stevenagensis' - a stable hybrid, from a rosette formed by lanceolate leaves grow peduncles; blue flowers bloom in autumn.

Gentian saxosa (G. saxosa), which originated from New Zealand, is distinguished by large bell-shaped flowers on a purple-green peduncle growing from the center of a basal, glossy rosette leaves.

Gentian semida (G. semida) - a species 30 cm high, with a rosette of lanceolate leaves; blue bell-shaped flowers are collected in a brush.

Spring gentian (G. verna ) is a European plant 10 cm tall with reddish recumbent shoots and bright blue single flowers. From it originates the variety 'Angulosa' with blue star-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring.

Cultivation

Low gentian species are used in stony gardens, and high gentian species are used in borders. For many species (stemless gentian and ciliated gentian), moisture-intensive loamy soil, well-fertilized and drained, is most suitable. A mixture of sod land (50%) and peat, rotten leaves and sand taken in equal parts is also suitable. Potted plants are rarely grown.

Location

Open and sunny, with the exception of yellow and gusset gentians who prefer shading.

Temperature

There are no problems with frosts in winter. Another thing is that for most species, the temperature at other times of the year should not exceed 25 °C.

Watering

Species of Asian origin require more frequent watering in the spring and summer period compared to European species.

Transplant

If the plant is still grown in a pot, transplanting into a new one is carried out in early spring. During the same period, they plant in a flower bed.

Care

It is enough to remove withered flowers.

Reproduction

Propagate by dividing bushes and seeds. Seeds are sown in autumn in ready-made peaty soil or in a self-prepared soil-a mixture of peat and sand with the addition of fertilizers. Containers should be covered with glass or a piece of plastic. Leave for the winter in a cold room. After germination, the seedlings are transplanted into cups, spilled with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer at the rate of 2-3 g per bucket of water. Gentian stemless can be propagated in June by dividing the bush.

Propagate by dividing bushes and seeds. Seeds are sown in autumn in ready-made peaty soil or in a self-prepared soil-a mixture of peat and sand with the addition of fertilizers. Containers should be covered with glass or a piece of plastic. Leave for the winter in a cold room. After germination, the seedlings are transplanted into cups, spilled with a solution of complex mineral fertilizer at the rate of 2-3 g per bucket of water.

Gentian stemless can be propagated in June by dividing the bush.

Diseases

Yellowing of leaves in various acidophilic species (for example, stemless gentian) indicates an excess of lime in the soil. They should be planted in acidic or slightly acidic soil and added acidifying fertilizers. If there is an excess of humidity, root rot may occur, which should be avoided by reducing watering.

Acquisition

You should not collect wild gentians in the mountains: not only do they rarely bloom after transplanting, this plant is also protected by law. You can buy them in gardening centers and other retail establishments. Choose plants without signs of chlorosis and rotting of the roots or root neck.