Soapwort Gentian Gentiana saponaria
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- jen-shee-AN-uh sap-oh-NAIR-ee-uh
- Description
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Harvest Bells is a native perennial wildflower of NC found in mesic to moist woods, marshes, bogs, stream banks and roadsides. Preference is for full or partial sun, and moist soil. It often grows in sandy soil but will tolerate other kinds of soil, including fertile loam. It grows up to 2 ft tall with unbranched stems.
In September the bright blue to purple flowers appear in clusters atop stemless leaves to add fall interest to the garden. In warmer climates, it may boom into November. The leaves turn reddish-yellow in fall. Use in woodland or naturalized areas or mixed borders.
- 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:
- saponaria
- Family:
- Gentianaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern U.S.A., NC
- Wildlife Value:
- Deer and rabbit resistant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Capsules split into 2 sections, releasing numerous small seeds that can be dispersed by wind or water.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1.5 inch long tubular flowers are blue to lilac, often with vertical streaks of purple, green or white. They consist of 5 upright lobes that are closed or only slightly open at the top. They bloom in clusters from September to November.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The shiny green leaves are up to 3.5 inches long and 1.5 inches across. They are stemless with a prominent central vein.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Light green or reddish stems are slender and smooth.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
