|
 December
2002
 Pedicularis
kanei ssp kanei
November
2002
Crocus
tournefortii
October
2002
Cyclamen
mirabile
September
2002
Sternbergia
sicula
Colchicum
byzantinum album
 August
2002
Gentiana
septemfida
July
2002
Oxytropis
shokanbetsuensis
June
2002
Silene
caroliniana
May
2002
Jeffersonia
dubia
April
2002
Tulipa
vvedenskyi
March
2002
Draba
aizoides
February
2002
Diapensia
lapponica
January
2002
Chamaecyparis
obtusa 'Nana'
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2000
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1999
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1998
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1997
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Plant
of the Month
August
2002
Gentiana
septemfida
by Iza Goroff
Gentiana
septemfida is a member of the eponymus Gentianaceae.
Other genera in the family which rock gardeners are likely
to encounter include Gentianopsis, Gentianella, and Swertia,
the first two of which have frequently been included in the
genus Gentiana. Gentiana
septemfida is native to the Caucasus Mountains and
nearby mountains in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran. Josef Halda in
The Genus Gentiana considers Gentiana
lagodechiana to fall within the definition of
Gentiana septemfida. Forms sold
as Gentiana lagodechiana are
usually smaller than those sold as
Gentiana septemfida.
Stems of
Gentiana septemfida forms range
in length from 6" (15 cm) to 16" (40 cm). Some forms have
upright stems; others have stems which are primarily
prostrate with the last few inches upturned to allow the
terminal flowers to clear the ground. The flowers are about
1" - 2" (2.5 - 5 cm) long and 1/2" - 3/4" (1.25 - 1.8 cm)
across. They range in color from a lavender blue to a dark
true blue, some with a distinctive white throat. Petals have
noticeable fringing (plicae).
Gentiana
septemfida is one of the easiest Gentians to grow. It
is less particular about soil and siting than other
Gentians. It grows well in half shade to almost full sun,
although it would not thrive in intense, hot sun. A mix of
equal parts of sphagnum peat, coarse sand, and native soil
together with a pea gravel mulch suits it well.
Gentiana
septemfida is frequently available from nurseries. It
is usually propagated by seed, but good forms may be
multiplied by cuttings taken before flower buds form in late
May or early June.
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