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Gentiana saponaria

Phonetic Spelling
jen-shee-AN-uh sap-oh-NAIR-ee-uh
Description

Harvest Bells is a native perennial wildflower of NC found in mesic to moist woods, marshes, bogs, stream banks and roadsides. Preference is for full or partial sun, and moist soil. It often grows in sandy soil but will tolerate other kinds of soil, including fertile loam. It grows up to 2 ft tall with unbranched stems.

In September the bright blue to purple flowers appear in clusters atop stemless leaves to add fall interest to the garden. In warmer climates, it may boom into November. The leaves turn reddish-yellow in fall. Use in woodland or naturalized areas or mixed borders. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#fall flowers#purple flowers#blue flowers#low maintenance#fall interest#moist soil#NC native#wind dispersed seeds#border planting#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#naturalized area#water dispersed seeds#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#fall flowers#purple flowers#blue flowers#low maintenance#fall interest#moist soil#NC native#wind dispersed seeds#border planting#acidic soils tolerant#pollinator plant#native wildflower#naturalized area#water dispersed seeds#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#Audubon#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Gentiana
    Species:
    saponaria
    Family:
    Gentianaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern U.S.A., NC
    Wildlife Value:
    Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Capsules split into 2 sections, releasing numerous small seeds that can be dispersed by wind or water.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1.5 inch long tubular flowers are blue to lilac, often with vertical streaks of purple, green or white. They consist of 5 upright lobes that are closed or only slightly open at the top. They bloom in clusters from September to November.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The shiny green leaves are up to 3.5 inches long and 1.5 inches across. They are stemless with a prominent central vein.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Light green or reddish stems are slender and smooth.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits