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Gentiana asclepiadea (Willow Gentian)

Willow Gentian, Milkweed Gentian

AGM Award
Gentiana asclepiadea, Willow Gentian, Milkweed Gentian, Blue flowers, Rock Garden Perennial, Trumpet Gentian, Autumn Gentian, Fall Gentian

One of the easiest Gentians to grow, award-winning Gentiana asclepiadea (Willow Gentian) is a clump-forming perennial with gracefully arching stems bearing lanceolate, willow-like, fresh green leaves. In late summer and fall, a profusion of trumpet-shaped, sapphire blue flowers, up to 2 in. long (5cm), appear in pairs or threes in the upper leaf axils. Perfect for dappled shade in a leafy, moist soil. Lovely with ferns and golden grasses, Willow Gentian is a welcome addition to the fall garden, where its brilliant blue blossoms will make glorious stands.

  • Winner of the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 18-24 in. across (45-60 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun or part shade, in humus-rich, acid or neutral, moist, well-drained soils. Site in sun only where summers are cool and damp, otherwise site in partial shade.
  • Ideal for beds and borders, underplanting shrubs or roses, cottage gardens or rock gardens.
  • Rabbit resistant.
  • Virtually pest and disease free.
  • Propagate by seed sown in pots in an open frame as soon as seed is ripe.
  • Native to central Europe eastward to the Caucasus and Northern Iran.

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Gentianaceae
Genus Gentiana
Common names Gentian
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late), Fall
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Gentiana clausa (Bottle Gentian)
Gentiana andrewsii (Closed Bottle Gentian)
Gentiana ‘Strathmore’ (Gentian)
Gentiana verna (Spring Gentian)
Gentiana acaulis (Stemless Gentian)

Recommended Companion Plants

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ (Siberian Bugloss)
Astilbe ‘Fanal’ (Arendsii Hybrid)
Hosta ‘Patriot’ (Plantain Lily)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Stunning Blue Flowers to Enhance Your Garden’s Beauty
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 6 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Gentianaceae
Genus Gentiana
Common names Gentian
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late), Fall
Height 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
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Gentiana (Gentian)
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