Star gentian is a very pretty perennial with star-shaped, steel-lilac flowers in July - August. It is very neat in habit, the leaves form a basal rosette and the flower stalks usually do not need staking, so it doesn't take up much space. Care must be taken that it isn't crowded out by more vigorous plants. It's native habitat is moist mountain meadow, so it prefers moist soil, yet well drained. A hardy and easy to grow plant.