prairie wildflower
Pale gentian
Gentiana alba
Also known as Plain Gentian, Yellow Gentian, Cream Gentian
Native to the Midwest and the Southeast and southern Canada
Pennsylvania, southern Ontario, Michigan and Manitoba, south to northwestern North Carolina and northern Arkansas and Kansas
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 4–7 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Aug–Oct Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for partial shade and evenly moist soil. At up to 3 ft, it suits meadows and sunny borders. Hardy in USDA zones 4–7.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee also Brown-belted Bumble Bee, American Bumble Bee, Black-and-gold Bumble Bee
- Butterflies Red-spotted Admiral
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Midwest and the Southeast and southern CanadaUnited States (15): AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, OH, PA, WI, WV. Canada (1): ON. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Pennsylvania, southern Ontario, Michigan and Manitoba, south to northwestern North Carolina and northern Arkansas and KansasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–7 · Canadian 5–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist, well-drained soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Aug–OctWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.