Gentiana Occidentalis Var. Aragonensis

Gentiana occidentalis is a western Pyrenean trumpet gentian closely allied to the familiar stemless gentians. Low rosettes of leathery green leaves produce large, upright flowers in intense blue, usually with little or none of the green spotting seen in related species. The Aragon form represents plants from the Spanish side of the range, bringing useful geographical interest to a specialised alpine collection. Naturally restricted to limestone grassland and rocky slopes in the western Pyrenees and Cantabrian mountains, it needs cool roots, steady moisture and excellent calcareous drainage.