- Partial Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 10 - 12 Inches
- Mature Spread 10 - 18 Inches
- Growing Zones 3 - 8
Blue Cross Gentian (Gentiana cruciata 'Blue Cross') is an eye-catching, herbaceous perennial with intense true-blue flowers that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other important pollinators. It grows 12” in height and up to 12” - 18” wide. Clusters of creamy-white buds open to vivid blue flowers all along their graceful arching stems, creating a stunning bicolor effect. You’ll enjoy months of gorgeous color from mid-summer to early fall.
Blue Cross Gentian has a higher drought tolerance than other varieties. It has a full, compact habit. This perennial is perfect when used in rock gardens or at the front of a mixed border. It's an easy-to-care-for variety that is hardy in zones 3-7.
Blue Cross Gentian Care
Plant Blue Cross in full sun or a partial sun location, making sure it receives 4-6 hours of direct sun per day. This plant requires well-draining soil, whether planted in the landscape or in containers; it is more tolerant of drought conditions. Blue Cross Gentians aren’t fond of their roots being disturbed, so transplanting should be avoided once the plant has established itself.
Pruning isn’t necessary. You can add a couple of inches of organic mulch over the root zone the first winter after it's planted. Divide Blue Cross Gentian in large clumps in early spring just when you see new growth appear.
Blue Cross Gentian Spacing
Blue Cross is beautiful as an accent plant, in the front of a mixed perennial bed, along pathways, in rock gardens, and in container plantings. Plant Blue Cross Gentian plants roughly 1 ft. apart to allow for its mature width.
Blue Cross Gentian Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
| Plant Type: Perennial |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 10 - 12 Inches |
| Mature Spread: 10 - 18 Inches |
| Mature Spacing: 10 - 18 Inches |
| Habit: Mounded |
| Flower Color(s): Blue |
| Flower Description: N/A |
| Bloom Period: August To September |
| Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: N/A |
| Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
| Watering: Low |
| Resists: Deer, Rabbit, Disease, Pests & Insects |
| Tolerates: Drought |
| Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Container Role: N/A |
| Uses: Borders, Containers |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: N/A |
| Common Name: Blue Cross Gentian |
| Other Name(s): Blue Cross Gentian |
| Scientific Name: Gentiana 'Blue Cross' |
- SKU:
- 1231007382-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations