Description

Closed bottle gentian has narrow, purplish whorled or opposite leaves below tight clusters of dark blue/purplish, bottle-like flowers, nearly closed at the tips. Robust plants may have two whorls of flowers. The flowers never open, and when in full bloom, the flower looks like a bud about to open.

Only large bees strong enough to force the corolla open can crawl inside to sip nectar and deposit pollen. Go bumbles!

If happy, over time, will naturalize into large patches.

Height: 1-2 ft.
Spread: 1-2 ft.
Family: Gentianaceae
Bloom time: October
Sun: part shade
Water: medium
Deer resistant

photo credit: Robert H. Mohlenbrock