Gentiana acaulis

RHS Plant Profile

stemless gentian

RHS 1967

Other common names

gentianella, large-flowered gentian

Synonyms

Gentiana kochiana

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial

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An evergreen perennial forming a mat to 30cm in width, with paired, narrowly elliptic leaves and solitary deep blue, trumpet-shaped flowers 6cm in length, spotted green inside, borne on short erect stalks

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Gentianaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Genus: Gentiana can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, mostly with showy, trumpet or salver-shaped flowers
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial shade. Suitable for a rock garden

Propagation

Propagate by seed or division of offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Rock garden
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids

Diseases

Prone to root rot