Gentiana Species, Harvestbells, Soapwort Gentian

Flowers are pale to medium blue, often streaked with purple, green, or white. Like bottle gentian, they do not open fully, and are pollin...Read Moreated by bumblebees.

According to BONAP, it's native to 25 states from NY to WI, and south to TX and FL. Rare in 10 states, extirpated in MI.

I think whoever rated the hardiness of this plant has erred on the reputation of most others in the genus which prefer cooler climes. Thi...Read Mores gentian is native to the hot and humid Southeast (as well as the Northeast), including areas in zone 8b of Florida.

The Federal Highway Administration suggests this as a landscaping plant for Florida. Either it can take warmer zones than suggested here...Read More, or the FHA is mistaken. I don't think that any part of Florida is colder than zone 8a.