All flowers
Trumpet Gentian Wikimedia Commons
Gentianaceae

Trumpet Gentian

Gentiana acaulis

Deep sincerity.

Family
Gentianaceae
Genus
Gentiana
Native to
European Alps, Pyrenees
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
perennial herb
Height
0.2-0.3 ft
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
moist, well-drained, humus-rich
Water
moderate
Hardiness
3-7
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The trumpet gentian produces one of the most intense true blues found in nature, coveted by gardeners for centuries.
  • The genus is named after Gentius, King of Illyria, who reputedly discovered the medicinal properties of gentian roots.
  • Despite its tiny size, the flowers can be over 2 inches long, disproportionately large for the plant.
  • It is a beloved symbol of the Alps and features on traditional Bavarian and Austrian pottery and textiles.
  • Gentian has famously fickle blooming habits in cultivation, sometimes refusing to flower for years, baffling gardeners.

Color meanings

0

loveliness

1

sincerity

2

intrinsic worth

Uses

  • alpine gardens
  • rock gardens
  • traditional medicine