Content
Stemless gentian belongs to the genus of subshrubs. This is a plant with a rich history, a whole range of medicinal properties and stunning bright color. Gardeners often use various types of gentian when decorating their plots; each of them is unique and inimitable, and some are listed in the Red Book.
The azure color of stemless gentian attracts attention from afar
Description of the species
A perennial or annual herbaceous plant grows in temperate climate zones, found among rocky mountains, near reservoirs, and in expanses of water meadows. People ignorant of botany will call a beautiful flower a bell, which the blooming buds are so similar to. Gentiana kochiana or Koch's gentian grows mainly in the mountains of Western Europe. Its height rarely reaches 10 cm; it is a carpet of lush greenery and large bright flowers. The peculiarity of the buds of stemless gentian is that they close in rainy weather.
The culture includes about 400 species. The height of the bushes reaches 50 cm, they have long straight shoots.Funnel-shaped flowers open depending on the specific species - in autumn, summer or spring. The foliage has a bitter taste, which determined the name of the plant. Beautiful flowers smell deliciously of cut grass or honey. Most plant species have a bright blue color and similar shades; purple, white and even yellow bells are also found.
The plant has become widespread in folk medicine. Even in ancient Greece, healers used this plant to treat the stomach. In Rome, infusions and decoctions based on beautiful flowers, stems or roots helped in the fight against bruises, abrasions, and poisonous snake bites. The beneficial effects of gentian on internal organs, including the liver, kidneys and stomach, were revealed by healers of the Middle Ages.
Funnel-shaped flowers resemble varietal petunia
Application in landscape design
Gardeners willingly plant various types of gentian in their plots, combining them by color, shape or size. Bright flowers are good for creating mono-compositions; their main purpose is to decorate alpine slides. A scattering of gentian between stones and rocks will be combined with primrose, spring lumbago, and saxifrage.
A carpet of low-growing plant species is suitable for decorating borders and stone paths. When designing a garden plot, gardeners usually take into account the property of different types of gentian to bloom at different times. Thanks to this, you can achieve continuous flowering of bright bells from spring until autumn.
The most common varieties of gentian do well on rocky surfaces
Features of reproduction
Gentian is propagated in two ways - by cuttings or using seeds.You can divide the roots of the plant only in the spring, at the beginning of the growing season. When the gentian finishes flowering, a box with seeds forms in place of the bells.
Planting and caring for stemless gentian
Most gardeners agree that it is better to sow the plant immediately in warm soil, without seedlings. Gentian adapts to any conditions, grows well in cool regions, but is considered a rather capricious crop and requires compliance with certain rules of care.
Terms and rules for planting stemless gentian
This variety belongs to those species that bloom in May-June. For these types of gentian, choose shaded areas, without direct sunlight. When planting, gravel is added to the bottom of the hole, this is due to the plant’s natural habitat – rocky mountains. The culture requires nutritious soil with a high content of fertilizers.
When planting gentian seedlings, dig holes that are 3 times larger than the earthen ball around the root. After planting, the plant is watered with warm water and fertilized with cow droppings. Seedlings can be planted at the end of April or before winter - in September.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
The culture is very moisture-loving. Gardeners need to ensure constant soil moisture in the area where stemless gentian grows. Particular attention should be paid to watering during periods of severe drought, at the time of flowering and the appearance of new buds. A layer of mulch made from organic material will help reduce the number of feedings and maintain soil moisture for as long as possible.If you mulch the area in early spring with peat, sawdust or straw, you will not need to additionally feed the plant.
Weeding and loosening
When the first shoots appear on the soil surface, they need to be provided with timely watering and loosening. It is recommended to remove weeds from the area, as well as remove dried flowers, preserving the decorative appearance of the plant.
Preparing for winter
In regions where there is little snow in winter, but severe frosts are possible, it is recommended to cover the area with gentian with spruce branches. Deep snow cover is designed to protect the plant from the cold without additional covering.
Stemless gentian sky blue among rocky terrain
Diseases and pests
Stemless gentian loves water and needs regular watering, but stagnant water can lead to the appearance of slugs and snails. These pests eat succulent leaves and beautiful buds. Also, ants, caterpillars, and thrips may appear on gentian or near its plantings. Solutions of insecticidal preparations and some traps placed in the ground will help get rid of pests. Potato mats will attract snail slugs, half-buried bottles with fermented compote or beer will attract the attention of insects.
The most dangerous diseases to which plants in open ground are susceptible are gray rot, spots on the leaves, rust, and some viral diseases. It is almost impossible to cure gentian from gray rot. It is necessary to remove and burn all diseased plants so that the disease does not spread to healthy ones.
Fungal infections include brown spot. Small brown and yellow spots with purple rims appear on the affected leaves.A solution of copper sulfate, Bordeaux mixture or fungicides will help here.
If gray rot affects the leaves of a plant, it cannot be cured
Conclusion
Stemless gentian is a perennial unpretentious plant that can decorate an alpine hill, a small decorative flower bed, and borders of personal plots. The culture is distinguished by a long flowering period, ease of care and bright, rich color of the buds.
