King's Scepter Gentian
Gentiana sceptrum
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © ady_m (iNaturalist #181000512)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Gentianaceae
- Genus:
- Gentiana
- Species:
- Gentiana sceptrum
- USDA Symbol:
- GESC
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bumblebees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers wet meadows and boggy areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination and cold stratification. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds were sown into cone-tainers filled with Sunshine # 1 (a soil-less, peat-based media) amended with micro-nutrients (Micromax) and a slow-release fertilizer (Osmocote 14-14-14). Flats were covered with polyethlene bags and placed in the walk-in cooler for 90-days.
Establishment: One flat was placed directly in the greenhouse after being sown. This flat had zero germination. Seedlings grew slowly in the spring.
Source: npn.rngr.net