Autumn Gentian Gentiana autumnalis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- jen-shee-AN-uh aw-tum-NAH-lis
- Description
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Pinebarren Gentian is a native herbaceous wildflower found from NJ south to GA. In NC it is found in the coastal plain and sandhills in longleaf pine savannas, pine flatwoods, sandhills and pine barrens in a variety of environments varying from moist to dry. The blue flowers appear in Sept. through Dec. on 1-foot tall stems and open facing upwards. It is endangered in several states.
Pinebarren Gentian prefers moist somewhat infertile soils in partial shade but also grows in drier conditions and full sun. It can be difficult to grow and is not a good plant for the novice gardener. Use at the margins of bogs or ponds or even in a container. Do not over-fertilize.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gentiana
- Species:
- autumnalis
- Family:
- Gentianaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern coastal U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- DE , GA , MD , NC , NJ , SC , VA
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant attracts hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit displays from October to February.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- 1-3 purple to blue flowers on 1-foot spikes have whitish-green strips or spots in the throat and open facing upright. The 5 petals are fused for 1/2 their length before spreading open. Blooms Sept. to Dec.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are thin, linear and elongated, 7-15 pairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
