Gentiana verna

RHS Plant Profile
spring gentian

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spring gentian RHS
spring gentian visionspictures.com
spring gentian visionspictures.com

Other common names

Lucy of Teesdale

Alpine Rockery
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A diminutive evergreen perennial slowly forming a mat of narrowly ovate leaves, with solitary, erect, deep sky-blue flowers with white throats, opening in late spring and early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
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
Yes
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 light, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in plenty of sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in an open frame as soon as seed is ripe. Propagate by division or root offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Garden edging

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Slugs and snails may be a problem outdoors. Under glass, watch out for aphids and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Gentian rust may be a problem and various soil fungi may cause stem rots