Gentiana asclepiadea

6 Oct

Gentiana asclepiadea Flower (08/09/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Partial shade

Flowering period: Late summer to early autumn

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60m

Eventual Spread: 1m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a 8b

Family: Gentianaceae

Gentiana asclepiadea is a deciduous, clump forming, herbaceous perennial. Its mid green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins. Its stems have an arching habit. Its dark blue flowers are trumpet shaped, up to 5cm long and appear in the upper leaf axils.

Gentiana asclepiadea (08/09/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Gentiana asclepiadea, commonly known as the Willow Gentian or Milkweed Gentian, is native to central and eastern Europe. In its native habitat mountain woodland.

The etymological root of the binomial name Gentiana is named after King Gentius of Illyria (180 – 167BC), a name give by Pliny. Asclepiadea is derived from the Latin meaning similar to the genus Asclepias.

Gentiana asclepiadea ‘Schistocalyx Alba’ Flower (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Gentiana asclepiadea useful as a ground cover plant in woodland and dappled shade locations.

Ecologically, Gentiana asclepiadea flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Gentiana asclepiadea their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Gentiana asclepiadea ‘Schistocalyx Alba’ Leaf (21/09/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Gentiana asclepiadea prefers moist, humus rich, light, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid to neutral pH of soil. It will not tolerate chalky soils.

Gentiana asclepiadea requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in early spring.