Gentiana scabra

RHS Plant Profile
coarse gentian

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Herbaceous Perennial Alpine Rockery

A variable, clump-forming perennial, 30-60cm high, with oval-shaped leaves edged with rough hairs. Upright stems bear smaller, narrower leaves and violet-blue bell- or funnel-shaped flowers, singly or in small clusters, that are paler in the throat and sometimes have yellow-green speckles. Flowers can be produced from late spring well into autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
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
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Gentiana can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, mostly with showy, trumpet or salver-shaped flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
E Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in reliably moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid or neutral soil, will not tolerate drought or waterlogging. Thrives in locations with cool, damp summers, where it is best positioned in full sun; in areas with hot, dry summers these plants are best grown in afternoon shade. See gentian or taller gentians for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free