Gentiana pneumonanthe aka Marsh Gentian

Gentiana pneumonanthe, or marsh gentian, belongs to the gentian family, Gentianaceae. Its native range spans Europe, the Caucasus and central Siberia. It is native to Britain and Ireland. Other names include harvest bells, lung flower and autumn bell flower. This perennial grows in temperate regions. Wild plants grow in boggy meadows, fens and damp heaths. They also grow in sandy or peaty woodland clearings. Plants For A Future reports a local, declining British population.

Marsh gentian forms clumps with upright stems and narrow leaves. The leaves look like needles, and the plant sheds them seasonally. Stems reach about 1.3 feet [0.4 metres] tall. Garden plants can reach 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] in height and width. The RHS gives two to five years to reach full size. Large blue flowers form clusters at the stem tips. Each flower has a tube-shaped form and a strong blue colour. Pale grey-white or green streaks mark the outside of the petals. Grey spots mark their inner surface.

Grow this plant in humus-rich soil that stays moist but drains well. It suits acid or neutral soil rather than alkaline ground. The RHS lists clay, loam and sand as suitable soil types. Choose full sun or a spot with some shade. South-, east- and west-facing sites all suit it. The site may be open or sheltered. Its RHS hardiness rating is H6. This covers winter lows of about −20 to −15°C under UK conditions. Its wetland habitat does not replace the garden need for good drainage.

Marsh gentian suits flower beds, informal borders and cottage gardens. The RHS also lists it for wildlife gardens and containers. Plants For A Future suggests beds and sunny woodland edges. Its upright stems carry blue flowers above the narrow foliage. Grow new plants from seed; routine pruning is not needed. Slugs, snails and aphids may attack it. The RHS reports few disease problems. Plants For A Future does not flag it as weedy.

Plants For A Future lists no known edible uses or hazards. That does not establish that all parts are safe to eat. The flowers can supply a blue dye. The same source gives a medicinal rating but records no medicinal use for this species. Its suggestion of a bitter root tonic rests on comparison with related gentians. That is not firm evidence for using marsh gentian as medicine.