Thursday, June 25, 2020

The gentians

GENTIANS:
    Gentiana Acaulis - in front of the big gentiana (gentiana         stemless)Gentiana acaulis, commonly known as stemless gentian or trumpet gentian, is a much-loved, dwarf, mat-forming, blue-flowered, alpine perennial that typically grows to only 4” tall but  slowly forms a spreading ground cover-like carpet to 6” wide or more. It is native to alpine grasslands, rocky meadows, screes and alpine/subalpine coniferous forest at altitudes up to 9700’ in a number of European mountain ranges including the Alps,  
Pyrenees, Apennines, Cevennes, Cantabrians, Carpathians.  
Glossy, evergreen, elliptic to lanceolate leaves (to 1” long) grow in small basal rosettes which form a tufted carpet over time. Showy, deep gentian-blue flowers (each to 2 1/2” long) in the shape of upward-facing trumpets bloom singly in May-June. Flowers appear to sit directly on top of the basal foliage (flowers are stemless as indicated by the specific epithet). Each flower has 5 sharp-pointed corolla lobes (petals) and a green-spotted throat. This gentian is noted for its deep true blue flower color.
      ****June 16/20 Moved to the front rockery.  It is next to the Campanula glomerata from Sandy.  Added peat moss/sand/pea gravel and compost from the back bin.  The bottom  leaves were going yellow.  I think it really needs that compost. Watered it in. 


Gentiana septemfida var. lagodechina  is a low-growing perennial to 10cm (4 in) tall, with trailing stems clad in paired ovate leaves and ending in 1 - 3 mid-blue, trumpet-shaped flowers 4cm (1.5 in.) long in late summer.  Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil. Suitable for the front of borders. Performs best in sunny conditions. 
      ****June 16/20 - Moved to the front with peat/sand/pea gravel and some leaf mold. Added a bit of compost from the back bin. It has long stems and needs 1.5 foot diameter space.  It is next to the dark maroon coral bells (heuchera) and above the red hens and chickens. Watered it in. 


Gentiana depressa  is a tufted to cushion-forming, semi-evergreen perennial with dense, overlapping, ovate, dark green leaves and, in autumn, bell-shaped flowers with pale green tubes and blue petal lobes. Evergreen
Gentiana depressa (Gentiana depressa) will reach a height of 4 inches and a spread of 12 inches after 2-5 years.  
Suggested uses: Rock, Ground Cover, Gravel, Cottage/Informal   
Cultivation:  Grow in reliably moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil.  Plant in full sun where summers are cool and damp. Provide shade from hot sun in areas with warm, dry summers. Suitable for an alpine or rock garden.   
Soil type: Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage: Moist but well-drained
Soil pH: Acid Light
     ****June 16/20.  Moved it to the front.  It is next to the pinks and just in front of the Gertrude Jykle David Austin rose.  Gave it peat moss/sand/pea gravel/decomposed bark mulch and some compost from the back bin.  Watered it in.  Must remember to keep it watered.

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