“Blue, blue, blue is the Gentian”—if you’ve ever spent time in the Alps, you’ve probably heard the folk songs celebrating this iconic flower. With its stunning, deep blue trumpet-shaped blooms, the Gentian is a true showstopper. Depending on the variety, these beauties can start popping up as early as May and keep the show going all the way through December. And here’s the best part: you don’t have to live on a mountain peak to enjoy them! You can easily grow Gentian in your own garden as long as you have a nice, partially shaded spot.
All About the Gentian
The Blue Gentian belongs to the *Gentiana* genus within the Gentianaceae family. There are about 480 known species out there, mostly hailing from the mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere. You’ll typically find them growing wild in places like:
- The Alps
- The Swiss Jura
- The French Jura
- The Cevennes
- The Pyrenees
This attractive perennial is a herbaceous plant that stays pretty low to the ground, usually topping out at about 4 inches tall. It grows in a neat little rosette of dark green leaves, and during blooming season, a brilliant bell-shaped flower emerges from the center. Fun fact: these flowers are weather-sensitive and will actually close up when it rains! While blue is the classic color we all love, you can also find Gentians in yellow and white.
Beyond being pretty to look at, the Great Yellow Gentian is actually quite useful. Its roots are distilled to make spirits and herbal medicines. In Europe, Gentian schnapps is a popular “digestif” enjoyed after a heavy meal to help with digestion.
Gentian Varieties and Their Bloom Times
If you’re looking to add some to your backyard, Gentians are absolute rockstars in rock gardens. By planting a mix of different varieties, you can have vibrant blooms from early spring straight through the end of the year. The bloom time really depends on the specific variety, and if the weather is just right, some types will even treat you to a second bloom!
- Spring Gentian: Blooms from March through August, and sometimes surprises you with a second round in the fall.
- Clusius Gentian: Shows off its colors from May to June.
- Koch’s Gentian: Also starts in May but keeps going until August.
- White Gentian: Blooms from June through August.
- Yellow Gentian: Typically in bloom from June to August.
- Autumn Gentian: This late bloomer doesn’t even start until September, but it stays vibrant all the way into December.
