The autumn-flowering gentians are wonderful plants, bringing colour - and very intense colour at that - to the garden at a time when there is not a great deal flowering. Most have trailing stems, each terminated with a large, trumpet shaped flower. They can be split in April, and a good patch can soon be established. Most dislike alkaline soil.

Gentiana 'Blue Silk' is one of the wonderful varieties from Aberconwy Nursery. The 'silk' part of the name describes the silky sheen, given by a combination of blue and purple colours. The overall impression of deep blue trumpets, with flashes of violet. The flowers are held upright on neat, compact plants.