Soapwort gentian, Harvestbells
Gentiana saponaria
Gentianaceae


Landscape Uses:

Borders, wildflower gardens.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Rarely grown by native plant nurseries.
Description:
Deciduous, clump-forming wildflower 1-2 feet tall with 3-5 inch long leaves. Tubular, dark to light blue flowers 2 inches long.
Height:
Typically 1-2 feet in height.
Growth Rate:
Moderate.
Range:
Scattered in the midwest and southern United States south to Gadsden and Wakulla counties.
Habitats:
Creek swamps.
Soils:
Wet to moist, moderately well-drained to poorly-drained organic or sandy soils, often with acid pH.
Nutritional Requirements:
High; requires rich organic soils for optimal growth.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Low; salt wind may burn the leaves.
Drought Tolerance:
Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought.
Light Requirements:
Light shade.
Flower Color:
Dark to light blue.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Late summer
Fruit:
Many-seeded pods.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.


Lilly Anderson-Messec via her Instagram account @lilliumbyrd.
Lilly Anderson-Messec via her Instagram account @lilliumbyrd.
Lilly Anderson-Messec via her Instagram account @lilliumbyrd.