Gentiana andrewsii Bottle Gentian

Ohio Native Plant Natural Range

To view the natural range of Gentiana andrewsii visit the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.
Bottle Gentian
Thick leaves of Gentiana andrewsii make it easy to identify even if the flowers aren't in bloom

Cultivation Information Bottle Gentian
Height - 2 feet Flower Color - BlueSun - Full to part sunHardy Zone - 3 to 6Blooms - August - October
Soil - average to moist,
Family - Gentianaceae
Late in the season seedpods, look like used dried coffee filters
Wildlife Significance Bottle Gentian
Pollinated - It seems that the only insect strong enough to pry open the flower petals are Bumblebees. Since Bottle Gentian are self sterile they rely of the "work horse" Bumble Bees to transport pollen from one Gentiana andrewsii neighbor to the next. Inorder for seed to mature one would need to plant several Bottle Gentian plants Nectar - Since nectar levels aren't especially high one would assume that with all the work the Bumblebees have to go through to collect pollent that is is especially nutritious. Deer - Tend to leave Bottle Gentian alone as leaves and roots are bitter from the chemical For detailed information visit Illinois Wildflower website To attract bumblebees, which are very good pollinators, a plant needs to produce either a lot of sweet nectar that has a high sugar content, or a lot of pollen with high protein and lipid (fats and oils) content, or both. If the reward is big enough, bumbles will work hard to get the reward, and keep visiting the same kind of flower all day long.
Propagation Notes Bottle Gentian
Seed Stratification
Storage - Moist Cold - 60 days - Small Zip lock plastic bag with a few table spoons of moistened vermiculite. Seed needs light inorder to germinate so it is important not to cover tiny seeds with potting soil when sowing. Harvest seed - Seed is mature late in the fall as flowers change from bright blue to brown and papery. Wait until the seed is brown before collecting.
Seed Provenance Gentiana andrewsii
Nodding Onion Gardens - 2019 - present - Praire Moon Nusery 2018