Small gentians

RHS Genus Guide

The smaller gentians, up to 20cm tall but often less, are typically spreading alpines with intensely coloured blooms. They suit a sunny rock garden or free-draining scree or gravel area. They are also well-suited to growing in containers where their cultivation needs can be met more readily and their low-growing style more easily enjoyed.

Botanical name: Gentiana

Common name: gentian

RHS

Appearance

Narrow green leaves form mats or cushions carrying deep blue, white, or bi-coloured flowers in either spring or late summer into autumn. The flowers are made up of five petals, fused into a trumpet or urn-shaped form, facing upwards on short stems.

Preferences

These gentians need cool, moist but free-draining soils in full sun. Many prefer neutral to acidic conditions. However, the spring gentian, G. verna, and alpine gentian, G. nivalis, thrive on limestone.

Dislikes

They dislike dry soils, especially in summer, but will also suffer in cold, wet soil over winter.

Did you know?

The crest, or mon, of the ancient Japanese Minamoto clan features three Japanese gentian flowers, from southern Japan, above five leaves of Sasa – a bamboo found in northern Japan. This symbolises their union under the shogun, but also the superiority of the south over the territories to the north.

RHS Growing Guide