Gentiana angustifolia ‘Frei’
For generations, keen gardeners have sought to grow and successfully flower the alpine gentian, Gentiana acaulis. This traditional name just about encapsulates all dwarf, “trumpet” gentians. In reality the true G. acaulis is probably the acid-loving Gentiana kochiana, commonly found in alpine turf throughout the Alps. It is a wholly unsatisfactory garden plant and is best admired in nature and left well alone. The completely reliable species to grow in the garden is Gentiana angustifolia and any of its cultivars, including: ‘Frei’, ‘Krumrey’ and ‘Rannoch’. My favourite of the bunch is the first one, ‘Frei’.
Unlike its cousins, G. angustifolia is far from widespread in its distribution in the wild, occurring on limestone in the Alps of south-eastern France and a solitary location in Switzerland. It can be found in diverse habitats in nature from settled scree to fissures of limestone and it is perhaps for this reason that it is such an adaptable plant in cultivation. Its long, narrow leaves make this quite a distinct species, but it is its long flowering stems that set it apart from similar species. The flowers are borne on stems up to 7cm in length making them ideal for use as cut flowers. The flower colour is generally a vivid dark blue and there is also a free-flowering, white variant, Gentiana angustifolia ‘Alba’.
The cultivars I have recommended are all reliably free of flowering and very easily propagated, either from cuttings (from non-flowering shoots) or division of the clumps after 3 to 5 years. Propagation is best carried out from plants that are healthy and always during a damp spell when the plant is not under stress. Although gentians can be raised from seed (freshly sown), expect some variation in the progeny.
The fine cultivar, Gentiana angustifolia ‘Frei’ can be obtained from Kevock Garden Plants: