High above Bourg St Pierre in Switzerland on the paths of the Tour St Bernard below the Col Saint Bernard are large clusters of this Gentian sunning themselves in gay abandon to attract pollinators for onwards regeneration, the formula works well with the Swiss bees in that field as they have reproduced well and cover an entire side of the slope in the sunshine. The colour is intense and dazzling next to the path leading to Col Mille from Bourg Saint Pierre. Most flowers were 20 to 3ocm above the ground so they were well established and likely returning year after year for a long while as they shelter un the winter snow layer and reappear once the Spring snows have melted away. These Gentian roots are well established and will remain for some time yet unless there is a severe landslide in the valley but for now they cover an area of 10s of m2 and are continuing to spread as long as there are bees in the area to do the job.
www.rhs.org.uk refers to them as a low growing perennial up to 20cm in height with trailing stems clad in paired ovate-leaves and ending in clusters of mid-blue, trumpet-shaped flowers 4cm in length by late summer. Ultimate height is 0.1 to 0.5 m. Ultimate spread is 0.1 to 0.5m. Growing conditions are moisture but well drained. Flowers in summer and foliage remains in autumn.
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