Content
- Worth knowing about the gentian-perennial
- Preferred location
- Care of the perennial
- Multiply the blue gentian
- Bring gentian perennials over the winter
- Tips & Tricks
The gentian perennial thrives in the mountains, in the garden and even as a potted plant
Worth knowing about the gentian-perennial
Gentian-perennial and gentian-tree do not have much in common except the name. While the gentian (Gentiana) is a perennial native to the Alps, the gentian tree (Solanum), also called the potato tree, is native to South America. Only blue flowers have both.
Preferred location
Gentian species are vicarious. This means that they can not be planted together because they have different site requirements.
Clusius gentian, for example, requires very calcareous soil. Koch's gentian, on the other hand, does not like lime, he needs sour soil.
Common to the gentian species, they prefer half shady to sunny locations. In nature, they usually grow among higher plants, because they only tolerate direct sun for a short time. The soil must be loose and be able to drain water well.
Care of the perennial
Gentian needs less water in summer than in winter. However, the roots must never completely dry out. The care includes:
Multiply the blue gentian
Like almost all perennials, gentian can be easily multiplied. Most often, new plants are sown. As cold germs, however, the seeds have to undergo a prolonged cold phase before they germinate.
In the case of perennials propagation by division is also a good solution. For this, the plants are taken from the ground, split in the middle and then re-used or transplanted.
Gentian perennials are not very long-lived. They can be rejuvenated by division and maintained longer in the garden or pot.
Bring gentian perennials over the winter
Basically, gentian perennials are hardy. In rough locations, you should still provide winter protection. Covering with brushwood or fir branches with the Koch's Enzian is sufficient.
Gentian in the pot is wintered in a sheltered place on the terrace or balcony, but by no means in the house. For safety's sake, the pot is placed on polystyrene and covered with protective foil.
Tips & Tricks
Unlike the blue or yellow gentian, the gentian tree is very poisonous, in all parts of the plant. The alpine flower can therefore easily be maintained in the garden, while you should only keep an Enzianstrauch if no children or animals belong to the family.