Gentiana 'Shot Silk'

RHS Plant Profile
gentian 'Shot Silk'

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gentian 'Shot Silk' RHS
gentian 'Shot Silk' RHS
Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial
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A compactly-growing cultivar with upward-facing trumpet flowers in late summer and autumn. These are a deep royal blue with a violet sheen and white throats at the base. They appear white-striped in bud

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–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
Deciduous
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Gentiana can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, mostly with showy, trumpet or salver-shaped flowers
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, lime-free soil or compost in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by division of trailing stems that have produced rooted offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids

Diseases

Prone to root rot