Gentiana andrewsii
Common Name: Bottle Gentian
Bottle Gentian is a unique, late-blooming wildflower growing 1-2 feet tall. It thrives in moist prairies, woodland edges, and thickets. The deep blue, bottle-shaped flowers never fully open, relying on bumblebees to force the flower open for pollination during the months of August and September. This species prefers loamy or sandy soils with good moisture retention. It is valuable for native plant gardens, rain gardens, and pollinator-friendly landscapes, offering late-season nectar sources.