trefle.io · Taken Sep 28, 2020 by Jackie Hodgson (cc-by-sa)
Gentianaceae
Closed gentian
Gentiana andrewsii
Also known as Bottle gentian, Blind gentian, Cloistered gentian, Pneumonanthe andrewsii
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Closed Gentian · Bottle Gentian · Native Perennial · Blue Flowers · Woodland Plant · Pollinator · Moist Soil · Fall Bloomer · Prairie Restoration · Medicinal
Closed gentian is a striking native perennial prized for its deep blue bottle-shaped flowers that remain closed at the tip, requiring strong bumblebees to force their way inside for pollination. It prefers consistently moist, humus-rich soil and partial shade, mimicking its natural streamside and meadow habitats. This plant can be challenging to establish but is long-lived once settled; avoid disturbing its roots and mulch well to retain soil moisture.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 5 hours
- Watering
- Water consistently to keep soil evenly moist but not saturated; do not allow the soil to dry out completely · Every 5-7 days
- Maintenance
- Moderate
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5.8–7.2
- Temperature
- -25°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 10 ft – 30 ft
- Spread
- 15 ft
- Spacing
- 18 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Purple
- Foliage
- Green · Fine
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
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