Gentians

A popular family of plants with species from around the world. Most gardens should be able to grow some species as the range includes lime tolerant and ericaceous loving species, plants for a cool moist soil and those for a sunny well drained scree etc.. Most have showy blue trumpets.If you do not have the required lime-free soil for the autumn varieties, try growing them in containers. Some of the faster growing, spreading varieties like G. ‘Eugens Bester’ make very good plants for containers where they will hang over the edge and provide a good Autumn display. Plant in a lime free compost with
added composted bark and some grit, slow release fertiliser and keep well watered in a dry spell. We find the Autumn Gentians flower freely in a sunny position. All the Gentians we grow are extremely hardy and are grown without protection.