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Herbaceous Perennial

Triosteum himalayanum

Himalayan gentian

A clump-forming perennial to around 60cm high, with oval to elliptic, softly hairy leaves held in pairs along the stems. Small clusters of greenish yellow flowers with reddish-purple insides are produced in whorls around the tip of the stem in late spring and early summer, followed by whitish berries that ripen to red and persist into winter

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Yellow Red Purple Green
Summer Green Yellow Red Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Name status

Correct

Plant range
Bhutan India Nepal

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, ideally in light or part shade with shelter from cold winds. May tolerate full sun where soils are consistently moist. Ideal for a woodland garden

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in a cold frame in spring, keep moist

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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