By Elaine Smyth
Fall brings spectacular floral displays to the Blue Ridge. Golden yellow and royal purple abound, with ironweed, goldenrods and asters, and Joe Pye Weed making a show along the Parkway. But there’s more to be seen if you have the time and inclination to stop and walk a bit. October is the time to enjoy the more delicate charms of Gentiana decora, the Showy or Appalachian Gentian, widely found in our mountains along trails and roadsides.
Anne Holmes, artist
This beautiful species produces flowers in a variety of colors, including pale pink, purple and blue, but perhaps its most striking version has white blossoms striped with blue. You may see other gentians—there are ten different Gentiana species in the state—along the trail, as well. Beloved by pollinators, many species of gentians have flowers that are closed at the top, forcing bumblebees and other insects to burrow inside to get to the nectar and, by accident, assist with pollination. Although you may see Showy Gentians closed while still in bud, their flowers do open fully, showing off their jaunty blue pinstripes.
Gentians are named for King Gentius of Illyria (the present-day Balkans), who reportedly used a decoction from the plant to treat a plague that attacked his people some 2,200 years ago. Loaded with bitter glycosides, gentian extracts have been used as digestive aids, anti-inflammatories, and for healing wounds for centuries. Though useful and beautiful, native gentians are short-lived perennials and not easily kept in the garden. Enjoy them in the wild this fall!
Upcoming Events at Asheville Botanical Garden Learn more and register online via the ABG website at AshevilleBotanicalGarden.org.
Fall Edible Plants, with Roots Marshall
Saturday, October 11, 10 a.m. to noon
This beginners’ class will introduce you to the basics of plant identification and foraging best practices. Roots Marshall graduated from UNCA in 2022 with a B.S. in ecology and is the Horticulture Assistant at Asheville Botanical Garden.
Native Seed Collecting, with Sarah Coury
Tuesday, October 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Director of Horticulture Sarah Coury will teach basics of collecting and growing native plants from seed for pollinators. Part of the Certified Pollinator Advocate series.
Botanical Beverages of the World, with Marc Williams
Sunday, October 26, 2–4 p.m.
Join ethnobotanist Marc Williams for an ethnobotanical tour of the diverse botanical beverage traditions of the world.
Asheville Botanical Garden, located at 151 W.T. Weaver Boulevard, is an independent nonprofit garden supported by its members, donors and volunteers. Our mission is to promote and showcase the value and diversity of plants native to the Southern Appalachian region by serving as an educational resource and urban destination for nature study and enjoyment. The Garden features more than 750 species of native plants in a 10-acre naturalistic setting. Garden hours: sunup to sundown. Visitors Center hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. Please donate or join to support the Garden. Members get a 10 percent discount in the gift shop and 25 percent off classes.
