A whole range of different species of gentian is summarized under the general term gentian. Not all of them are suitable for the home garden. The individual species differ greatly in terms of flower colors, flowering times and location requirements.
The large family of gentians
Gentians come in so many different species that it's hard to list them. However, only a few varieties play a role for the hobby gardener.
The low-growing species that are very easy to maintain are particularly suitable for ornamental gardens.
However, it is important to know the exact variety. Some gentian species absolutely need calcareous soil, while others only thrive on acidic soil.
Stemless Gentian Species
The two most famous stemless gentian species grown in the garden are the Clusius gentian and the Koch's gentian. They look very similar, but have very different wishes for the location.
It is best to plant Clusius gentian on calcareous soils; Koch's gentian is the better choice on acidic soils.
The two types can be distinguished by their flowers. The flowers of Koch's gentian have five striking green dots. The shoots of the Clusius gentian are also shorter than those of the other representative of the gentian family.
Small overview of known gentian species
| Description | Botanical name | Flower color | Height | Flowering time | Floor | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Gentian | Gentiana verna | Blue | approx. 10cm | March to August | Calcareous, lean | 2. Blossom in autumn |
| Clusius gentian | Gentiana clusii | Blue | approx. 10cm | May to August | calcareous | very short stem |
| Kochscher Gentian | Gentiana acaulis | Azure blue with 5 green spots | approx. 10cm | May to August | sour | |
| Autumn Gentian | Gentiana scabra | Blue | 30 to 60 cm | May to December | sandy | |
| Yellow Gentian | Gentiana lutea | Yellow | 50 to 150 cm | June to August | calcareous | only blooms after 10 years |
| White Gentian | Gentiana tibetica | White | up to 40 cm | July to August | ||
| Bavarian Gentian | Gentiana bavarica | Blue | up to 10 cm | July to August | calcareous |
Tips & Tricks
Gentian schnapps, which is very popular in southern Europe, is made from the root of the yellow gentian. The perennials grown in the ornamental garden do not contain enough bitter substances to produce the typical gentian aroma.
