Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian) Gentiana sino-ornata
Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian) (Gentiana sino-ornata) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Gentianaceae family, native to South-west China (Yunnan, Sichuan), south-east Tibet and northern Myanmar. It grows 7–15 cm (3–6 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
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Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Gentianaceae |
| Mature height | 7–15 cm (3–6 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 26 °C (79 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | South-west China (Yunnan, Sichuan), south-east Tibet and northern Myanmar |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
Questions about Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian)
- How far apart should I plant Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian)?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian)?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian) flower?
- From about September for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of the cool, misty Himalayan and west Chinese mountains: it wants moist, humus-rich soil and shelter from hot sun and drying wind, and sulks in hot, humid summers.
- Low, spreading mats of grassy leaves covered in autumn with upturned trumpets of intense blue, striped outside. Lime-hating: it needs acid, moist, peaty soil and cool summers, and thrives in Scotland. Found by George Forrest in 1904.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Stemless gentian Gentiana acaulis
- Tembusu Cyrtophyllum fragrans
- Spring gentian Gentiana verna
- Great yellow gentian Gentiana lutea
- Willow gentian Gentiana asclepiadea
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia