Overview
Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle' is a plant with a matforming, trailing, clump forming, tufted habit in the genus Gentiana, part of the Gentianaceae family, with semi evergreen, deciduous foliage. Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, patio and container plants, rock garden and ground cover.
About
Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle' is a mat-forming, trailing gentian that forms low clumps and spreads as a ground cover. It produces summer flowers from June to September above semi-evergreen to deciduous foliage. Plant it into loam that is acid to neutral and kept moist but well-drained, in full sun or partial shade. Hardy (H5), it suits south-, east- or west-facing sites and tolerates both exposed and sheltered positions.
About the genus
Gentiana is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family (Gentianaceae), the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With over 300 species, it is considered a large genus. Gentians are notable for their mostly large trumpet-shaped flowers, which are often of an intense blue hue, though some are also bright yellow.
Wikipedia contributors, "Gentiana", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Gentiana
In the garden
Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle' is a mat-forming, trailing cultivar in the Gentianaceae valued for its low, clump-forming habit and summer flowering. It retains foliage into the cooler months on some plants, otherwise dropping leaves, and carries its flowering display from June to September. Site the plant in a loam-based soil with an acid to neutral reaction and reliable moisture that nevertheless drains; avoid waterlogged pockets. Choose a sunny or part-shaded position—south-, east- or west-facing aspects all suit—and it will tolerate exposed or more sheltered situations. H5 (hardy) indicates it survives normal UK winters when planted in the garden. Use Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle' where a low, spreading habit is needed: tuck clumps into rock gardens and gravel areas, let stems trail over the edge of patio containers, or use as ground cover between larger perennials in a cottage or informal layout. It also works well in crevices and the front of mixed borders. After flowering, remove spent stems to keep the mat tidy and reveal fresh foliage.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Gentiana
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Matforming, Trailing, Clump forming, Tufted
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen, Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Ground cover
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle'
- Propagation
- Division in spring
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, Snails, Aphids, Red spider mite
- Disease resistance
- Rust, Stem rot
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle'?
Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle' need?
Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle' grows best in loam soil. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle' hardy in the UK?
Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Gentiana 'Barbara Lyle'?
Division in spring.
