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Autumn Gentian Gentiana autumnalis

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
jen-shee-AN-uh aw-tum-NAH-lis
Description

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:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#fall flowers#native perennials#blue flowers#pond margins#NC native#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#food source fall#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bee friendly#Audubon#food source winter#boggy sites
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#fall flowers#native perennials#blue flowers#pond margins#NC native#pollinator plant#poor soils tolerant#food source fall#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bee friendly#Audubon#food source winter#boggy sites
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    High
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit displays from October to February.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil