GENTIAN
Back to VARIETY INDEX Terms HOME
GENTIAN
Seeds and Dried Herb
(Plant heights are given
at maturity)
Gentiana septemfida, Crested Gentian or True Gentian, is an easily
grown perennial plant belonging to the family Gentianaceae, and is a
native of Turkey, It is a truly beautiful plant, forming strong
clumps and throwing up dozens of 9 to 12 inch stems, each topped with a
large bright blue trumpet shaped flower. They make
excellent rock garden or border plants and provide a strking show when
in bloom.
The plants thrive in loamy well drained soil in a sunny location,
except in hot dry areas in which they tend to do better in a partially
shaded location.
Gentian is easily propagated by division of existing plants or by
sowing seed. Seed should be treated as follows for best
germination: Warm stratify (see Warm
Stratification for more information) at 70F for 2 weeks, then Cold
stratify (see Cold Stratification for more
information) at 40F for 4 weeks, then sow in pots or trays and keep
moist and at 50F until the seedlings appear. Grow on at
50-55F. The seedlings should be transplanted to larger containers
when they reach about 2 inches in height. They can then be
planted outdoors when all danger of frost has passed. Space the
plants at about 8-10 inches apart in the garden. Heavy clay soils
should be broken up with compost or peat and a scattering of sand.
Gentian root has been used for thousands of years to treat exhaustion
and as an antidote to poisons. It has a very bitter taste, which
makes it valuable as a stomachic and it has been often used in
commercial bitters.
True Gentian -
Gentiana septemfida -
Full sun or partial shade; Hardy to -30F (-34.4C); height:10in
| #4148 Packet $3.50,
Approximately 50 seeds |
|
| #B1lb-4148CS Dried
root cut and sifted 1lb. $35.00 |
|
ORDER EARLY!
See TERMS
Back to VARIETY INDEX Terms HOME
If you have arrived in someone else's frame, or can not see all of
the
other information available on richfarmgarden.com Click on logo to
enter
from beginning