Welcome to ChooseSustainable.org a blog about individual climate action. In this series of short posts I present a native plant to encourage everybody to abandon our traditional way of gardening (basically a continuous fight against nature) and engage in sustainable gardening practices that nurture the ecosystem, sustain wildlife and foster biodiversity. I show the plants in a garden setting to dispel the myths depicting them as weedy and unsuitable for gardens.
In this post I talk about a fall blooming plant of unusual appearance: Gentiana Andrewsii (bottle gentian). The population of this plant is declining due to loss of habitat and the species has recently become of concern is several states.
Quick facts:
- Zones:3-6
- Bloom time: Fall (Sept-Oct)
- Sun: Sun
- Soil Moisture: Medium wet to medium
- Aggressive: No
- Front yard: YES
- Height: 2 feet
- Status: Declining and classified as threatened or species of concern in several states
- Maintenance: LOW
- Wildlife value: Medium
Wildlife connection: The flowers of the plant attract mostly bumble bees who are the only ones able to access the closed flowers. Although its wildlife value is limited, the plant provides a beautiful fall bloom and supports bumblebees late in the season, when other plants are not available.
I bought this plant by chance at a Forest Preserve sale. While I was waiting in line, I started talking to a nice lady next to me and she mentioned bottle gentian. She was very passionate about it and when we went in, she placed 3 small plugs in my cart recommending me to plant them. At home I was converting a patch of lawn into a mulched bed. The area used to be flooded with standing water for days after each rain and I was looking for water-loving native plants. I planted the small gentians there, they were a little slow to establish, but they have been there since, filling up year after year.
The plant grows 2-3 feet making it an excellent choice for the front yard. It is in full bloom in late September, and the flowers last about one month, extending the life of your garden’s bloom until October. The unusual flowers of a deep blue and dark violet color, with shades of yellow and pink are a sure attraction.
The plant is a magnet for bumblebees. They are the only ones strong enough to open the flowers and dive in, re-emerging with nectar and pollen.
I hope you will consider Gentiana Andrewsii for your garden. Every native plant you add brings back a piece of ecosystem that is vital to biodiversity.
Would you like to talk about a native plant in your backyard? Please send me your post at info@choosesustainable.org
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