Gentiana acaulis aka Trumpet Gentian

Gentiana acaulis is a small evergreen perennial in the gentian family. Gardeners call it stemless gentian or trumpet gentian. It comes from the mountains of central and southern Europe. Its range runs from northeast Spain to the Alps and Carpathians. It also grows in central Italy. Wild plants live in mountain grasslands, rocky meadows, and scree. They also grow in woods below the alpine zone. Some sites reach about 9,700 feet [2,957 metres] above sea level.

Plants grow slowly into low, dense mats of green leaves. Garden plants stand about 0.25–0.5 feet [0.08–0.15 metres] tall. Their spread is often 0.25–1 foot [0.08–0.30 metres]. The RHS lists a broader spread range reaching 1.64 feet [0.5 metres]. Glossy leaves form small rosettes at the base of the plant. Each leaf is oval to lance-shaped and has no hairs. Leaves reach about 0.08 feet [0.025 metres] long. The green mat keeps its leaves through winter.

Deep blue flowers rise just above the leaves on short stalks. Each flower grows alone and opens upward like a trumpet. Green spots mark the inside of its throat. Five pointed lobes edge the flower, with small folds between them. Flowers reach about 0.2–0.23 feet [0.06–0.07 metres] long. Bloom falls in May and June, from late spring into summer. Bees visit the flowers for nectar and help with pollination. Oval capsules follow the blooms and hold brown seeds. Fresh seed can be sown in fall.

This plant needs moist soil that drains well. Gritty soil suits it, and it grows in loam or sand. It favors slightly acid soil but can tolerate some alkalinity. Sun helps flowering, while afternoon shade limits leaf bleaching in heat. Cool summers suit it better than hot, humid weather. It can cope with brief dry spells. Sources place it in USDA zones 3–7 and RHS rating H5. Seed and spring division offer ways to raise new plants.

Rock gardens, border edges, and patio pots suit its low form. It also serves as ground cover in cottage gardens. It needs no pruning, but heat can make growing it difficult. Slugs, snails, aphids, and root rot may cause trouble. PFAF lists no known food uses or hazards. It records medicinal use, including an external infusion of the whole plant.