Species gentian
white, cup-shaped flower with green veins and green leaves

gentian

Gentiana alba

Gentian (Gentiana alba) is an amazing flower species that deserves more recognition. Its small delicate petals are a beautiful white colour that sparkles like snow. These petals surround the vibrant yellow centre of the flower, making it a pleasure to behold. What's more, gentian is highly fragrant and strong smelling, making it an ideal choice for any garden. Plus, it's a hardy species that will thrive even in the harshest of climates, so it's no surprise it can be found in many parts of the world. Whenever you catch a whiff of its sweet scent, you'll be reminded of the beauty of nature and the natural wonders this small flower has to offer.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 7

Flowers:

White to yellowish white to greenish white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

For watering gentian (Gentiana alba), it is important to water when the top layer of soil has become dry. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely. Gentian should be watered approximately once a week with 1-2 inches of water. During the summer months, on hot days, it may need to be watered every other day. During the winter months, when the temperature drops, gentian will need less water or can even be watered every couple of weeks.

sunlight

Gentian (Gentiana alba) should receive 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day in order to thrive. In the summertime, this means plenty of sun exposure, but in winter, some temporary shade may be beneficial for the gentian plants. The best time of day for gentians to receive sunlight is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. since these are the hours when the sun is most intense. Gentians should be well-protected from strong winds, which can damage their delicate petals and stems. Finally, take care to water gently and deeply, since gentian plants are prone to root rot if too much moisture persists in the soil.

pruning

Gentian (Gentiana alba) requires light pruning after flowering to keep the plant looking tidy. The best time for pruning a Gentian plant is late winter or early spring, before the plant starts to actively grow again. Pruning should involve removing any dead, dying, or diseased growth, as well as any leggy stem growth. It is also beneficial to thin out the crowded branches or remove some of the overly long stems. Gentian plants benefit from light pruning rather than aggressive cutting back. Too much pruning can cause the plant to struggle and may result in fewer flowers.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Gentiana alba typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Gentiana alba typically starts flowering in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map