Gentiana is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the gentian family, the tribe Gentianeae, and the monophyletic subtribe Gentianinae. With about 400 species it is considered a large genus. They are notable for their mostly large, trumpet-shaped flowers, which are often of an intense blue.

Gentiana – often found in the wild.

Many gentians are notoriously fickle plants, difficult to cultivate and in some cases reluctant to flower. However Gentiana sino-ornata is not only one of the easiest and most reliable, but also one of the loveliest with spectacular 5cm (2in) bright blue trumpet-shaped flowers. These appear in early and mid-autumn, protruding on very short stalks from the mat of almost mossy textured light green foliage. Lime free soil is essential for this desirable rock garden plant. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

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