Spring gentian Gentiana verna
Spring gentian (Gentiana verna) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Gentianaceae family, native to Mountains of Europe and Asia; rare in Teesdale and the Burren. It grows 3–8 cm (1–3 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 12 cm (5 in) apart.
Plan Spring gentian in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Spring gentian at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Gentianaceae |
| Mature height | 3–8 cm (1–3 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 12 cm (5 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 25 °C (77 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountains of Europe and Asia; rare in Teesdale and the Burren |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇴 Norway |
Is Spring gentian toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: roots
Bitter glycosides.
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 Spring gentian
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Spring gentian in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (20 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (12 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (16 plants)
Questions about Spring gentian
- How far apart should I plant Spring gentian?
- About 12 cm (5 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Spring gentian need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Spring gentian need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Spring gentian?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Spring gentian flower?
- From about May for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Spring gentian poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Bitter glycosides.
- What grows well with Spring gentian?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Spring gentian. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
Notes and assumptions
- Arctic-alpine: needs cold winters with snow cover, cool summers and sharp drainage; struggles in warm, humid lowlands.
- Five-pointed flowers of an astonishing deep blue in short alpine turf.
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
- Autumn gentian (Chinese gentian) Gentiana sino-ornata
- Great yellow gentian Gentiana lutea
- Willow gentian Gentiana asclepiadea
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia