Guide to growing Gentian (Gentiana)

Plants that belong to the Gentiana genus are low growing and mat forming hardy perennials.

They are evergreens that come into bloom from summer through to autumn.

When in bloom the flowers of Gentiana are clustered and may be blue, purple, pink , white or yellow. A commonly grown member of Gentiana in the garden is Gentian.

How to grow Gentian

It is probably easiest to grow Gentiana species such as Gentian from plants purchased from garden centres; even then these are not the easiest of plants to grow.

If you plan to grow Gentiana members such as Gentian from seed then sow the seeds in flats in the spring; lightly cover the seeds; place the flats into a black plastic bag; place the flat into a fridge and chill at 4 degrees fro two months; remove the flat and keep in the dark at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees centigrade. Gentiana species can take from two weeks to six months to germinate.

Once you have Gentiana seedlings transplant them into the garden in the autumn or spring at a spacing of 15 to 30cm (most Gentiana varieties) or about 50cm if you are growing one of the taller Gentiana species. Ideally Gentian should be grown in a sunny part of the garden, though most species of Gentiana can tolerate partial shade too. The soil type is important for good results and should be moist, pH 5.5 to 7, cool and rich in humus.

Caring for Gentiana

Not the easiest species to grow or look after Gentiana requires a moist soil, so water regularly but do not drench the plants; never disturb the roots or move the plants during the growing season. If you require more Gentiana plants it is best to purchase them from a garden centre; or very carefully propagate Gentiana by division once they have finished blooming.