Bottle Gentian (Gentiana Andrewsii)

This unique little native plant is found in moist, open woodlands, marshes and wet prairies through most of the state. Use Bottle Gentian in full sun to part shade raingardens and moist gardens, where it will stand out against other late blooming natives that tend to have yellow and orange flowers. Bottle Gentian flowers in mid-August to late September with large pod-like blue flower clumps that have an interesting shape to them. Bumble bees are the main pollinator for this plant, being one of few insects that can pry open the flowers to get to the nectar within.