Spring Gentian

Teesdale is a botanist’s paradise, but one plant stands out: the spring gentian. Spring gentians are best seen on warm, bright days, from April to early June. A sun worshipper, this little flower closes as the weather becomes dull, leaving nothing to see but small, dark-blue spikes. However the flowers quickly open again when the sun emerges from behind the clouds. Hidden among the short vegetation, spring gentians often go unnoticed, but when you do find them they stop you in your tracks with their startling deep-blue flowers. The flowers are typically 15 to 30mm across. Look out for a delicate plant with a solitary, intense-blue flower, like a tiny, five-pointed star. It is surprisingly small for a flower with such a big reputation! You can see gentians in flower from many public footpaths in Upper Teesdale. Please stick to the paths to protect these and other rare plants.
Spring gentian © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett

Location: 

Car park at Forest-in-Teesdale.

Distance: 

11 km

Terrain: 

  • Boggy ground
  • Off road sections
  • On road sections

Area: 

Access: 

  • Car parking

Interests: 

Facilities nearby: 

  • Pub

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