Closed Bottle Gentian is aptly named considering that its unique flowers never open more than a fraction. But that doesn’t stop bumblebees, the only pollinators that are powerful enough to pry open the petals to get to the pollen. Bumblebees will often completely disappear inside the flowers in their mission to access this plant's valuable nutrients. Despite not opening, the striking blooms still put on a beautiful show with their deep purple-blue hues. These lovely flowers arrive in autumn and make long-lasting additions to a flower arrangement.
Conditions: Full to part shade; average to moist soil
Size: 2’ tall
Zone: 3 - 7
Wildlife Value: Flowers provide pollen for bumblebees
Photos: Samantha Nestory, Dave Korbonits