About
Gentiana sino-ornata, the showy Chinese gentian, is a trailing, semi-evergreen perennial with stems to 20 cm bearing narrow leaves and solitary, terminal, rich-blue, funnel-shaped flowers to 6 cm long with white internal stripes in autumn. One of the finest and most widely grown of all autumn-flowering gentians, best in a moist, lime-free soil.
About the genus
Gentiana, the gentians, are annuals, biennials and herbaceous or evergreen perennials producing mostly showy, trumpet-, funnel- or salver-shaped flowers, famously in brilliant blue but also in white, yellow and purple. They range from tiny alpine cushion plants to tall border perennials and include species for every season.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitTrailing
FoliageSemi evergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesRock garden, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants
Native toTibet, China
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil in full sun. Suitable for a rock garden
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or division of offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and aphids
Disease resistanceProne to root rot