Sitting atop the limestone wall at the alpine area where the roots are guaranteed a growing medium with good drainage is Gentiana paradoxa. Enjoying exposure to full sun this is a bright compact plant to grow.

The flower terminates the seasons’ growth; blue cupped fused petals make up the corolla tube. Sprouting sporadically are hair like shreds where the edge of the corolla has divided as if by scissor action.

Peer further down and white and dark purple mottling appears. Ice white anthers make this all in all a very attractive flower.

Native to the Caucasus where it develops a central rosette from which the stems shoot up from. Flowering height of 300mm the thin linear leaves are arranged in tiered whorls.

Gentiana paradoxa

Gentiana paradoxa