Gentiana paradoxa

RHS Plant Profile
Caucasian gentian

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Caucasian gentian Dorling Kindersley Ltd
Caucasian gentian Dorling Kindersley Ltd
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Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial
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A compact, mat-forming perennial to 20cm tall. Upright stems are clothed in whorls of narrow leaves and terminate in clusters of upward-facing, trumpet flowers in late summer and autumn. The electric blue flowers have white throats with rows of purple spots

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–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
Correct
Plant Range
Caucasus

How to Grow

Cultivation

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

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Slugs, snails and aphids may be seen

Diseases

Root rot may occur