Gentiana asclepiadea

171-013 Gentiana asclepiadea ( Willow Gentian )
Joy Creek Photo Archive (c) all rights reserved	One of the easiest of the gentians to grow for the home gardener. Native of open woodlands from Southern Europe east into the Caucasus. Aptly called Willow gentian because of its willow-like, lance-shaped leaves, Gentiana asclepiadea has come to be a garden favorite in August when it comes into bloom. This herbaceous perennial is native to open woodlands and mountains of central and southern Europe. The early stems are upright but as they mature they begin to arch gracefully. The 2-to-3-inch leaves are usually opposite each other but occasionally they form whorls of three leaves. Lovely trumpet-shaped, blue flowers appear in pairs (or threes) at the leaf-axils down the stems. Mid- to late summer. 24-36 in. x 18 in. Dark to Light Blue Flowers flowers *Part Sun Zones 6, 7, 8, 9*