![Gentians on the rocks](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387284923/1691395447/articles/skj0rBBMx1691736648256/GENTIANS-ON-THE-ROCKS.jpg)
THERE is magic in the name gentian that never fails to appeal to lovers of alpine and rock-garden plants. The incomparable blue of their flowers is irresistible and, although a few species are inclined to be temperamental, many are easy to grow and even the difficult ones deserve every possible effort to supply their needs.
The best known gentian is surely Gentiana acaulis, the trumpet-flowered, spring-flowering species. It will flourish in well-drained soil, but is curiously reluctant to flower freely in some gardens. The only solution, entirely unscientific and inexplicable, seems to be to move it around the garden until a position is discovered of which it approves. Sometimes a move of only a metre or two will make all the difference.
Rivalling G. acaulis for popularity is the autumn-flowering G. sino-ornata. This splendid plant was first discovered in Yunnan, China, by George Forrest in 1904, but seeds were not sent home until 1910 and its first recorded flowering in Britain was in 1912.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 12, 2023-Ausgabe von Amateur Gardening.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 12, 2023-Ausgabe von Amateur Gardening.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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![To dig or not to dig?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/srY9Bgqgg1696077695176/TO-DIG-OR-NOT-TO-DIG.jpg)
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
![The box ball blues](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/MSiW9S-3s1696077564674/THE-BOX-BALL-BLUES.jpg)
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
![Save your own seeds](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/gxMCpsinZ1696077466987/SAVE-YOUR-OWN-SEEDS.jpg)
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
![Strange sightings](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/ddasMklZP1696077318893/STRANGE-SIGHTINGS.jpg)
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
![A bolt from the blue!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/7nMhGuBLn1696077232526/A-BOLT-FROM-THE-BLUE.jpg)
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
![Winter moth prevention](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/uaMLSKKf61696077078880/WINTER-MOTH-PREVENTION.jpg)
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
![Create a winter container](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/Jd1C8L2Ax1696076912753/CREATE-A-WINTER-CONTAINER.jpg)
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
![Lightweight gardening tools](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/2M8ifxUcL1696076768203/LIGHTWEIGHT-GARDENING-TOOLS.jpg)
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
![Autumn price round-up](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/8CDp1hNq-1696076665397/AUTUMN-PRICE-ROUNDUP.jpg)
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
![Rudbeckias](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5171/1457533/n0XuNlGYP1696073214532/RUDBECKIAS.jpg)
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters