Article added on 18 September 2009

The element of surprise is a pleasure in early autumn. Since the end of August, blue flowers have been a scarcity, with fading-bedding blues and wishy-washy mauves. But the crisp, cool days of autumn bring the purest pigment of them all - with Gentians, in unfading "true blue".

 

It's a thrill, in September, to turn a shady corner and be startled by the Willow Gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea) - named for its elegant arching stems and slender willowy leaves. Its colour is breathtaking; a glorious dark blue with veining, opening from long, pointed buds, with or without white-speckled throats.

 

A woodland native of semi-alpine European slopes, once carefully established in deep leafy soil, sheaves of stems multiply, opening classic "gentian blue" trumpets from every leaf-joint, on the upper part of each tall 60-90cm (24"-36") stem. Perfect partnered with ferns and small, late-flowering bulbs, Willow Gentians thrive in partial shade, surrounded by moss, grasses and the soothing sound of trickling water.

 

Just one of the 400-strong Gentianaceae genus of hardy annuals, biennials, deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen perennials; mainly alpine, gentians are found scattered across much of Europe, North America and Japanese woodland. Bell, trumpet and urn-shaped flowers open from spring to autumn, depending on variety, predominantly in shades of intense blue, but also rarely in red, white or astringent acid-yellow.

 

Legend has it that Illyrian King Gent, from whom the plant takes its name, used the flower to heal his wounded soldiers. Found growing in South-Western Montenegro, the King discovered the flower's healing properties in the city of ‘Sac', hidden in a Western corner of today's Balkan Peninsula. Some species are still harvested for their medicinal uses, and more particularly their roots, for a variety of bitter aperitif liqueurs, including ‘Suze' from France and famous Italian Campari.

 

Spreading herbaceous Gentiana septemfida bears neat, ground-hugging, paired mid-green leaves, covered in late summer, with terminal clusters of intense blue flowers. One for full sun and neutral to acid soil in pots, tubs, window boxes or the front of the rockery border, this little "September Gentian" remains a star amongst ground-coverers spreading up to 30cm (12") on prostrate, trailing stems.

 

Similar, but remaining semi-evergreen, rosette-forming G. sino-ornata bears deeper green, finely pointed, lance-shaped linear leaves, studded with huge cup-shaped 6cm (2 ½") deep blue trumpet-flowers in autumn. Intense, and one to stop visitors in their tracks, rockery diva G. sino-ornata cuts to the quick in any autumnal arrangement: try it potted in ericaceous compost, amongst seasonal harvest displays of pumpkins, squashes and gourds - or underplanted with shocking pink "naked lady" Colchicums, a fellow native of the high alpine meadows, and freely available to plant from the end of August onwards.

 

So the next time you wish to take someone aback in wonder and amazement, enlist the support of true-blue gentians, and never lose the element of surprise!

 

From the Garden Gate...

 

With the start of the ‘Autumn Term' and a ‘nip' in the air, Nature provides some of the best decorating ideas, with rich, glowing colours of the season.

 

• The warming "hedgerow" shades of berries and turning foliage offer seasonal inspiration for table settings and decorative wreaths; perfect gift ideas and soft furnishings.

 

• Single-out leaves of beautiful shapes and tie around chunky church candles with a wisp of twine, and finish with a haw berry garnish.

 

• Sprigs of hips, haws, nuts and berries, without leaves, dry well and offer colourful mixtures of damson-purple, crimson and orange (Callicarpa, Cotoneaster, hawthorn and Pyracantha) - perfect for simple autumnal wreaths.

 

• Savour the flavours of the season on a bright, sunny day, with alfresco dining - making the most of harvest fruits, wholesome preserves and hardy vegetables.

 

• Straight from the Farmers Market, local produce; handmade cakes and cookies, ‘wild' mushrooms, local meats and cheeses offer simple delights and a taste of some of the best things in life.