Blue. Not only blue, but ‘True Blue’… that is the name hybridizer Darrell Probst chose for his selection of this long blooming Gentian.
Here?s been our experience. This is the third year ?True Blue? has spent in our garden, and it seems quite happy where we planted it: at the top of a stone retaining wall, in well drained rich soil, in a partly sunny spot (4-6 hours a day). Gentiana ‘True Blue’ begins to bloom by mid July and carries on through the summer heat into September. Our plants have only have grown to 12-15″ in height, although all the literature suggests it can grow to 2′ or more. Darrell suggests that we plant this Gentian in a more fertile soil to attain full height, and I”m ready to find a few more spots in the garden that will accommodate this lovely specimen.The 2″ chalice shaped flowers face upward, catching the morning dew.
Hardiness range is USDA zones 3-8. Darrell shared in the comments box that the parents of this hybrid are of Japanese or Korean ancestry, perhaps G. makinoi, and not from more fussy alpine regions. All the more encouragement you need.
Hi Kathy and Chris,
True Blue should be hardy from zone 3-8. No alpine parents nor dahurica…. Japanese and S. Korean natives like makinoi and scabra with a few others…. all easy growers for most gardeners.
Thank you for featuring it… it’s a great plant. It grows higher than 2 feet here in the fertile and moist perennial border, but this is the original plant now 10 years old, divided two years ago.
Best wishes,
Darrell
Thanks Darrell for the additional info, and thanks for introducing a beautiful long flowering perennial for all of us to enjoy. I’ll will plant a few more in a more fertile spot in the garden and then watch them grow. (And I’ll update the hardiness range!)
Hi
Can anyone tell me about pruning ‘True Blue’? Is it recommended and if so, when is the best time? I planted mine this year; its not very big yet but bloomed like crazy. I am in zone 5.
Tks
Denise
Denise, ‘True Blue’ does tend to bloom prematurely, before it gets much heftiness. I would say if it is under a foot tall leave what top growth is there, and mulch with straw or evergreen boughs. In the spring cut back dead stalks and wait for it to regenerate for another season.
How well does True Blue take if transplanted? Mine is over 3 feet tall and monopolizing a small perennial garden around my light post. I would like to transplant it up toward the foundation. What do you think?
Diane, I’m sure it will transplant but will take a little time to re-establish.