Gentian ‘Shine Blue’ – A Jewel of Intense Colour

The Gentian ‘Shine Blue’ is a dazzling perennial prized for its vivid blue trumpet-shaped flowers, which appear in abundance during late summer and early autumn. With their rich, saturated tones and striking form, the blooms look almost luminous, making this plant a true gem in the garden. Compact and tidy in habit, it fits beautifully into rockeries, containers, or the front of borders, where its intense colour can be fully appreciated.

Gentians have long been admired for their beauty and precision of form, and ‘Shine Blue’ is no exception. Easy to grow and hardy, it’s a perfect choice for gardeners looking to bring a touch of rare colour and elegance into their planting schemes.

General Information

Gentians are native to mountainous regions of Europe and Asia, where they thrive in cool, sunny positions with well-drained soil. The cultivar ‘Shine Blue’ has been bred for garden use, offering a reliable flush of bright flowers in late summer.

• Habit: Low-growing, clump-forming perennial with upright flowering stems.

• Height & spread: Grows around 20–30cm tall and 25–30cm wide.

• Foliage: Glossy, lance-shaped dark green leaves that form a neat mound.

• Flowers: Large, trumpet-shaped blooms in a striking, deep azure blue with lighter throats.

• Flowering season: August to October, extending colour late into the season.

• Position: Prefers full sun to light partial shade; needs plenty of light for strong flowering.

• Soil: Well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic to neutral soil; dislikes heavy clay or alkaline soils.

• Hardiness: Fully hardy across the UK and Ireland.

• Uses: Ideal for rockeries, alpine beds, containers, or the front of mixed borders.

Its combination of glossy green leaves and brilliant blue blooms makes it a compact yet show-stopping addition to any garden.

Care Guide

Gentian ‘Shine Blue’ is straightforward to grow if given the right conditions – particularly well-drained soil and good light.

Planting

• When to plant: Best in spring or early autumn, giving roots time to establish before flowering or winter.

• Depth & spacing: Plant at the same depth as in the pot; space 25–30cm apart.

• Preparation: Improve soil with organic matter and add grit for sharp drainage if needed.

• Containers: Excellent in pots – use a loam-based compost with added grit to ensure free drainage.

Watering & Feeding

• Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.

• Water more frequently in containers during hot, dry spells.

• Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every 3–4 weeks during the growing season to support strong foliage and flowers.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Remove spent flowers to keep plants tidy and encourage more blooms.

• Cut back old stems to the base in late autumn after flowering.

• Mulch in spring with compost or leaf mould to enrich the soil and help conserve moisture.

• Divide clumps every 3–4 years in early spring if plants become congested.

Protection

• Fully hardy, with no special winter protection needed.

• Generally pest- and disease-free, though young shoots may occasionally be targeted by slugs.

• Avoid planting in overly wet or compacted soils, as root rot can occur.

Why Choose Gentian ‘Shine Blue’?

This perennial brings unmatched colour and refined beauty to the garden.

• Intense blooms: Trumpet-shaped flowers in glowing blue.

• Compact habit: Perfect for rockeries, pots, or border edging.

• Late-season display: Flowers in August–October when many perennials are fading.

• Low-maintenance: Hardy, reliable, and easy to grow.

• Versatile use: Works equally well in alpine settings, borders, or containers.

The Gentian ‘Shine Blue’ is a jewel-like perennial that delivers extraordinary colour and elegance just when the garden needs a late-season lift. Whether in a rockery, container, or at the front of a border, it will reward you year after year with luminous blue blooms and an enduring touch of class.

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

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