Plant of the Week: Greater Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis crinita)

Do you have a perennial wet or moist spot in the garden?  Does it get full sun?  Do you need something to fill in with spectacular flowers that bloom during October?  You might consider planting the greater fringed gentian that grows from 8 to 24" tall and is one of the showiest of all the gentians.  It ranges from MN down through TN and is usually considered a northern species, but does pretty well here.  It is a biennial, so to keep it in the garden, plants will need to be purchased for two consecutive years.  The great thing is this species will readily self sow if growing conditions are favorable.  The 1 - 2" long x 1" wide leaves clasp around the stem and are yellowish green in color.  The second year plants (the first year is just a rosette) will send up a beautiful 1- 2" long flower with 4 rounded and lobed petals with reddish sepals underneath.  This species definitely likes calcareous soils, particularly sandy, with a neutral pH.  This species has no significant diseases or pests associated with it.  It has no discernible scent and the leaves are bitter tasting to mammals and it is primarily pollinated by bumblebees.  The flowers close at night and on rainy, cloudy days.  It is only available from a few nurseries but it is a spectacular fall blooming wildflower.