Gentiana andrewsii var. dakotica

Dakota bottle gentian is a stunning native wildflower of the upper Midwest prairies, known for its deep blue-violet closed flowers that only bumblebees are strong enough to pry open. It requires consistently moist, well-drained soil and partial shade to thrive, making it best suited for rain gardens, prairie restorations, or naturalized borders. This plant can be slow to establish and does not transplant easily, so patience and careful site selection are key to success.