wetland wildflower

Soapwort Gentian

Gentiana saponaria

Also known as Harvestbells

Native to much of the USA

Southern New York to Wisconsin, south to Florida and Louisiana

Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Moisture preference
Zones 5–9 Cold to heat range
Bloom Sep–Dec Flowering time
Height up to 2 ft to 0.6 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

Full details, see below

In the garden

A wetland wildflower for partial shade. Its blue and purple flowers peak in October. At up to 2 ft, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 5–9.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

When it blooms

The Soapwort Gentian's blue and purple flowers bloom September to December, peaking in October. This fall display draws bees and flower flies.

Soapwort Gentian blooms blue & purpleFoliage

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee

also American Bumble Bee, Dark-winged Sweat Bee, ground cherry sweat bee +11 more
Thistle Longhorn-Cuckoo, Lasioglossum cinctipes, Triepeolus cressonii, Illinois Sweat Bee, Variable Cuckoo Bumble Bee, Illinois Cuckoo Sweat Bee, white-winged sweat bee, Pseudopanurgus labrosus, Colletes productus, Eastern Cuckoo Sweat Bee, Xenoglossa strenua
Flower flies Dusky-banded Leafwalker

also Volucella bombylans, Scar-horned Blacklet, Epistrophe emarginata +2 more
Two-spotted Leafwalker, Eastern Orange-tailed Leafwalker
Butterflies Viceroy also Thecla edwardsi

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Edwards' hairstreaknectar
Viceroynectar

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: Much of the USAUnited States (22): AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Southern New York to Wisconsin, south to Florida and LouisianaThe 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.
Hardiness zones: USDA 5–9 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Fertile, sandy loamThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: Acid to neutralThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).

Growth & form

Height: up to 2 ft (to 0.6 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: Sep–DecWhen it flowers.
Flower color: Blue, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.