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Bottled gentian, Gentiana andrewsii
Only the strongest of bees can pry open the closed blue flowers and get to the nectar and pollen rewards. And these are the bumble bees. Others might take a short cut and chew holes at the base of the flowers to "steal" some nectar without contributing to pollination.
The bright blue flowers stay closed and bloom late in the year, from August to October.
Growing conditions:
In the wild, bottled gentian grows in moist meadows and damp prairies, along rivers, ditches, and forest edges. It prefers humus-rich acidic soil but can tolerate a more alkaline limestone soil. It prefers part shade and moist, well-drained soil but can be immersed in water for a short period of time. So, it is suitable for planting near downspouts, in rain gardens, along the pond, and at the edges of woodland gardens.
Bottled Gentian
30 - 75 cm pollen fall bloomer sun - part sun nectar rain garden any bumble bee royal blue medium to wet beetles long lived .
Garden symphony:
The bright sapphire blue flowers look stunning with cardinal flowers, white turtle head, sneezeweed, sensitive fern.