- Gentian bushes are not hardy
- Protect the gentian bush in the garden from frost
- Do not hibernate the gentian tree outdoors in a tub
- Standard gentian overwinter
- tips and tricks
The gentian bush is not hardy, more precisely, it does not tolerate frost at all. You should consider this before purchasing. Because a gentian tree can grow very large, you need plenty of space to get it through the winter.
The gentian shrub is not hardy and has to go into winter quarters in winter
Gentian bushes are not hardy
In their homeland in South America, the blue or white flowering ornamental plants grow in warmth and lots of light. They are not used to frost and will freeze to death in sub-zero temperatures.
As a result, they pose a major problem for hobby gardeners in the cold season. The trees can grow up to four meters high outdoors. In good conditions, they can easily grow to two meters in pots.
To overwinter the ornamental plant, you need plenty of space in a place that is absolutely frost-free. It doesn't necessarily have to be bright. In the dark, however, the evergreen plant sheds all its leaves. It then takes much longer until the next bloom.
Protect the gentian bush in the garden from frost
A gentian tree can be kept very well directly in the garden bed in warm temperatures. There it gets enough light and is well supplied with nutrients.
Since the shrub is not hardy, you have to dig it up in the fall and put it in a bucket. Then place it in a room where it has enough space.
Do not hibernate the gentian tree outdoors in a tub
Even the gentian tree as a standard tree is not hardy. You must not leave it outside in sub-zero temperatures.
The bucket must be brought into the house at the latest when the outside temperature is around seven degrees.
Standard gentian overwinter
The standard tree presents you with a problem. Either you cut it into shape so that it has enough space in the winter quarters, or you leave all the shoots uncut, but then you need a larger footprint.
The more you cut the tree before wintering, the fewer flowers the gentian bush will develop next year. If you let the shoots grow, the flowering will be much more plentiful.
tips and tricks
All parts of the gentian tree are poisonous. Plant juices in particular can seriously injure the skin. Therefore, always wear gloves when tending the gentian bush.