Bottle Gentian
Bottle Gentian has bottle-like deep blue flowers that never actually open. The unusual blooms are pollinated exclusively by bumblebees, which have the size and strength needed to pry open the flowers and gain entry. Bottle Gentians are slow-growing but long-lived …
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
|---|---|
| Soil Moisture | Moist, Wet |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun, Partial |
| Height | 1' - 2' |
| Bloom Color | Blue |
| Bloom Time | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Spacing | 1' |
| Zones | 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Root Type | Fibrous |
| Benefits | Pollinators, Deer Resistant |
Bottle Gentian has bottle-like deep blue flowers that never actually open. The unusual blooms are pollinated exclusively by bumblebees, which have the size and strength needed to pry open the flowers and gain entry. Slow-growing but long-lived, this unique native requires little care once established.
The tubular Flowers, 1 to 1½ inches long, have a pleated appearance and a small fringe around the tip. On a mature plant the flowers look like a large cluster of buds sitting atop the main stem on a whorl of leaves. They are typically blue to purplish, but can vary widely, occasionally having pink, or even white blooms. The main stem is thick and smooth, light green or purplish. The glossy dark green leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem, becoming larger as they progress up the stem. Bottle Gentian may lean over in full bloom, but the flower cluster stays upright.
Seasonal
Blooming late into the fall, Bottle Gentian tolerates cold weather and even frost. It does not grow well in hot, humid climates. The best growing zones will be Zone 6 and cooler (6,5,4,3).
Natural Habitat and Best Conditions
Bottle gentian prefers moist soil and some shade. Its native range extends across the northeastern quarter of the United States, where it can be found growing in low-lying natural areas near a water source, such as flood plain forests, thickets, fens and the outer edge of swampy areas. Partial sun, or light shade is most common. Full sun is OK, as long as there is consistent moisture.
Best Landscape Uses and Companions
Because of its preference for moist, lightly shaded conditions, Bottle Gentian does best in a transition zone – such as the edge of a shade garden or a woodland edge – with adequate moisture. It is a natural fit for moist meadows and cottage gardens, or a garden situated near pond or stream. Combine it with sturdier plants, such as Orange Coneflower, Mountain Mint, Blue Flag Iris, Tufted Hairgrass and Calico Aster, to mitigate its leaning tendencies.
Eco Benefits and Interactions
The flowers of Bottle Gentian are pollinated almost exclusively by bumble bees – one of the few insects strong enough open the closed corolla and climb into the bottle-like flowers. Deer tend to avoid this plant due to its bitter taste, however they are known to nibble on the buds.
General Care or Specific Needs
Slow growth rate aside, Bottle Gentian is easy to care for and a favorite choice for home landscapes and gardens. The plant will strongly prefer consistently moist soil. This is particularly true if planted in full sun, where the soil should not be allowed to dry out completely. A soil rich in organic matter will be beneficial as well. If applied, mulch should be natural, spent plant material that will enrich the soil. Bottle Gentian plants will not need dividing but ithey can be succesfully divided if they are large enough. Due to the slower growth rate we don’t recommend dividing plants until they are three or more years old and well established.
