Description

Gentiana macaulayi Praecox description

Beautiful ‘Gentian-blue’ trumpet flowers up to 5 cms in late summer and autumn. It has more dense, darker green foliage and has more flowers than Gentiana sino-ornata.

How easy is it to grow:

Good for the front of a sunny or partly shaded border, hanging over a wall, in containers, or in an alpine bed or rock garden and requires acidic soil (ericaceous soil) that isn’t too dry. It is also happier in a humid atmosphere which means providing some shade in East Anglia and Southern Britain.

Also known as: Gentiana x macauleyi Praecox or Gentiana Macauleyi Praecox or Gentiana sino-ornata Praecox.

The best position in the garden:

Sun in moister climates, or semi shade in dry areas.

What type of soil:

Requires acidic soil (ericaceous soil).

How much moisture:

Normal.

Hardiness and, or, lifespan:

Hardy, but will die if soil is alkaline or too dry.

Care and maintenance:

When newly planted always keep it watered until the roots have grown down and it is able to find its own moisture.

Size of plant:

Height 10 cm.
Spread 30 cm.

Planting density – to calculate how many plants are required in a planting scheme:

Allow 10 plants per square metre.

Buy alpines, herbs, wildflowers, perennials and ornamental grasses.