Seaside Gentian (Eustoma exaltatum) is a stunning annual wildflower also known as Catchfly Prairie-Gentian. Reaching 1 to 1.5 feet tall and about a foot wide, this upright bloomer features cup-shaped purple to lavender flowers with dark centers, on elegant stalks that add gentle height to any landscape. Its gray-green, oppositely arranged leaves provide a soft contrast to the vibrant blooms, which may appear nearly year-round in our local climate.
Thriving in sandy, calcareous (high pH) soils with consistent moisture and full sun, Seaside Gentian naturally occurs in salt marshes, dunes, and coastal flats—making it highly salt-tolerant and ideal for coastal gardens. While its primary pollinators are unknown, its form and open blooms suggest bees are likely visitors. Easy to grow from seed, Seaside Gentian brings both beauty and resilience to native plant landscapes.
- Annual flower
- Size: 1-1.5 ft. tall by 1 ft. wide
- Flower: Purple, lavender
- Exposure: Full sun
- Moisture: Consistently moist
- Soil: Sand
- Soil pH: Calcareous (high pH)
- Pollinators unknown, likely bees
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