Species Plymouth rose gentian
pink flowers with lime-red center, yellow-orange stamens, green leaves and green stems

Plymouth rose gentian

Sabatia kennedyana

The Plymouth Rose Gentian (Sabatia kennedyana) is a popular American native flowering plant of wet habitats. It gains its name for its distinctively rose-pink flowers with their five petals appearing in summer. This plant thrives in moist soil, with full sun to part shade and does well in the sand of the Atlantic Ocean in the US. The wildflowers appear in colonies and rise up to 40 cm (16 inches) with alternating downy-green leaves. As the flowers age, they transition to white and yellow tones, and bees are drawn to the nectar that the flowers provide.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 9

Flowers:

Pink and white with yellow and red center eye Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red,yellow,orange

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Plymouth rose gentian should be watered deeply once a week for optimal health. Water the plant until the soil is saturated and water is visible at the bottom of the pot. This will ensure that the root system of the plant gets the moisture it needs to thrive. Be sure to avoid over-watering. Plymouth rose gentians require soil that is well-drained and not overly moist, as this can cause root rot. Allow the surface of the soil to dry between watering to prevent rotting.

sunlight

Plymouth rose gentian (Sabatia kennedyana) is a native perennial wildflower that grows in sunny meadows and woodlands. The plant species prefers full sun and usually blooms in mid to late summer. An ideal planting site should guarantee 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight during the peak growing season, which usually spans May through August. During the winter months, the plant will benefit from several hours of indirect sunlight each day during the winter. In order for the plant to thrive, it should receive at least 4 to 5 hours of sunlight every day during the warmer seasons, and some light through the windows during winter.

pruning

Plymouth rose gentian (Sabatia kennedyana) should be pruned once a year in the late fall or early spring when it is dormant. Cut off any dead, yellowing or damaged stems, as well as any spindly new growth at the base of the plant. Prune any stems that are more than 6 inches above the ground to increase air circulation around the base of the plant. Reduce the length of remaining stems by 1-third to 1-half their length. This will encourage bushy growth and more abundant flowering in the coming season.

Season

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

Sabatia kennedyana typically starts flowering in June.

Hardiness Map