Gentiana acaulis forms low mats of lance-shaped evergreen leaves. The 6 cm diameter flowers, which arise on 4-6 cm stems, are trumper-shaped and intense deep blue with green spotting inside the throat. The popular trumpet gentian is native throughout mountainous areas of southern Europe from the Pyrenees, Alps and Carpathians. It grows at elevations of 1700-3000 m on alpine meadows, rubble and scree slopes. It often grows in association with Rhododendron ferrugineum, Geum montanum and Campanula barbata. There are several named selections which vary in their shade of blue and also include white.
In the wild, plants bloom from June to August. In cultivation, blooming begins in April in milder areas, until June in northern areas.
Gentiana acaulis requires a sunny location in cooler regions or part shade in warmer. The soil should be well-drained, gritty but somewhat peaty. Reasonable soil moisture should be maintained. They prefer slightly acidic soil but will tolerate more alkaline. It is hardy through zone 3.
Seeds, cuttings and division