The first gentian to bloom in the mountains after the snow melts is Gentiana verna, also called spring gentian. Normally, the herbaceous plant with the deep blue flowers only grows a few centimeters above the ground. It only becomes more than ten centimeters high in particularly good conditions. On the other hand, the deep blue flower is all the more impressive. Some species of the spring gentian are not easy to grow, others will grow with a little skill in most gardens too, if a few conditions are met.
Characteristics
- botanical name: Gentiana verna
- belongs to the gentian family (Gentianaceae)
- other names: Schusternagel, Himmelsstengel, Rauchfangkerer or Herrgottsliechtli
- perennial herbaceous perennial
- Growth height: only a few centimeters above the ground
- Flower: deep blue flower up to 5 cm high with a narrow calyx and five petals
- Flowering period: March to June (depending on the altitude), often a second time in autumn
Species and occurrences
In nature, gentians such as the spring gentian occur mainly at high altitudes in the high mountains of southern, central and eastern Europe. The attractiveness of the plant lies in the intense ultramarine blue of the flat, star-shaped flower with its five propeller-like leaves and the white calyx. In addition to the various blue-blooming gentians with relatively large flowers, lovers and breeders have also tried a number of small-stature species. The best-known species of the spring gentian are Gentiana verna subspecies verna or angulosa with bright blue flowers, which leave a great impression in the garden, especially as a group. The spring gentian is one of the smallest species of gentian. Naturally
it occurs with an ultramarine blue flower, but purple, white, sky blue or even yellowish flowers are also possible. Other subspecies of Gentiana verna:- verna: intense blue bloom, found in the alpine region
- angulosa (synonym tergestina): larger blue flower, egg-shaped leaves, occurs naturally in intense blue, pale violet to whitish (Balkan region)
- Majella: dark blue flower, from the Majella National Park in Italy
- balcanica: medium blue, somewhat smaller flowers
- favratii Rittener: blue flower, calyx clearly winged at the edges
- oschtenica: also grown with yellow flowers
If the flowers are not colored intensely blue, the following additions to their names are common:
- Alba I: white flower with a bluish tinge
- Alba II: pure white flower
- Violet: available in different shades of purple
Location
Gentiana verna prefer bright, light-flooded locations on nutrient-poor (especially very low-nitrogen), water-permeable soils in light deciduous and coniferous forests or in poor meadows. It is important that the soil is very loose.
- Light conditions: sunny to partially shaded (no midday sun)
- Soil: well air and water permeable, fresh
- low to very low nutrient levels
- weakly acidic wet meadows
- calcareous substrates
- up to an altitude of 2600 meters
Tip: The small spring gentian forms wonderful blue cushions in poor meadows or in rock gardens.
plants
Anyone who decides on a spring gentian should be aware that the plant may not be cared for much, but that it is really optimal
Location needed for it to thrive. Heavy clay soils are just as unsuitable as very acidic or wet soils. Beginners therefore find it easier to plant in a stone trough, which is set up in a sunny location without the midday sun.- Time: all year round (frost-free time)
- Loosen the soil well
- ensure good drainage
- possibly mix a little sand and small stones under the earth
- do not fertilize
- always plant in groups (at least 5 plants)
Since shading is often difficult in the rock garden, the spring gentian can also be planted together with low-growing grasses. These then provide a little shade in the midday sun. If you sprinkle the soil with fine gravel or gravel after planting, you will keep weeds away and prevent excessive evaporation.
Tip: In the rock garden, the spring gentian goes well with a variety of alpine spring flowers such as the tufted bell (Edraianthus pumilio), Alpine auricula (Primula auricula), spring pasque flower (Pulsatilla vernalis) and the opposed saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia).
Plant substrate
Very few garden soils are ideal for planting spring gentians. Therefore, the soil always has to be reconditioned a little. In the case of strong deviations, it is best to place the gentian in a flower pot made of clay with a special substrate in the normal garden soil so that the edge of the pot can just be seen.
Mix 1:
- Sand and fine split
- normal standard soil or low-lime lawn soil
- Mix in a ratio of 1 + 1
Peaty substrates are not recommended due to the low pH value. Perlite, expanded clay or lava granulate can also be used instead of sand or grit for better drainage.
Mix 2:
- Quartz sand and quartz gravel (2-4 mm in diameter)
- normal green plant soil
- Clay
- Mix in the ratio 1 + 1 + 1
Watering and fertilizing
The spring gentian prefers soils that are not prone to waterlogging. The substrate should only dry out briefly, if at all. Even moisture creates the best growing conditions for Gentiana verna. It is a good idea to cover the substrate surface with a little gravel or granules in order to keep the water in the soil better. Gentiana verna reacts sensitively to high nitrogen contents in the soil. A spring gentian is considered a pointer plant for rather dry and low-nitrogen substrates. A fertilization is therefore with
humus garden soil not necessary. On less nutrient-poor soils, the spring gentian groups are fertilized with a little liquid complete fertilizer (with a low N content) immediately after the snow has melted. When the first bud formation has occurred, the fertilization is repeated. Alternatively, two to three grains of Thomas Kali per gentian group can be pressed into the ground.Multiply
The spring gentian reproduces by dividing large cushions or by sowing the seeds that form on the plant from August onwards.
- Time of division: after flowering
- Time of sowing: August or September
- Sowing directly in the field (check site conditions)
- alternatively in small growing pots (about 8 cm diameter)
- Pour a 1 cm thick layer of expanded clay or gravel into the pot
- Fill in the substrate mixture mentioned above
- Put the seeds in small groups in the substrate
- cover with fine sand
- put in coasters
- always leave about 1 cm of water in the saucer
- Cold germ
- Put the seeds in a cold place for the winter (sheltered place outdoors)
- Temperature: around 0 degrees (over several weeks)
- no extreme frosts
From spring onwards, the tiny young plants appear in the pots. From now on, water from above and plant outdoors or in a bucket from May.
Overwinter
Since the spring gentian is found in the alpine region up to 2600 meters above sea level, it is well winter hardy (up to around -20 degrees). So that the plant does not dry out in longer, cold dry periods, it should be covered with some leaves or straw in autumn. However, this should be removed before new shoots at the latest from the end of February to the beginning of March.
Diseases and pests
Symptoms of illness often arise because the substrate is not sufficiently ventilated or is compacted. The only thing that helps here is carefully digging up and mixing in sand, gravel or similar filling materials and fresh substrate. Sometimes pests are also found on a spring gentian.
- Aphids
- Root lice
- Wood lice or snails
Conclusion
The decisive factor for a spring gentian to grow and thrive is not care, but a good location. This should be sunny, but provide a little shade in the midday sun. A uniformly moist and air-permeable soil that contains medium to small amounts of nutrients is optimal. A spring gentian does not like waterlogging, compacted soils or very high nitrogen contents.