{"product_id":"monument-plant-fs0110","title":"Monument Plant, Green Gentian, Frasera Speciosa, FS0110","description":"When I first encountered this plant, it was in a number of National parks and I was initially saddened thinking it was a non-native Gentian. Don't get me wrong, Yellow Gentian has great medicinal benefits, but National Parks are a place where you want to see natives, since they are places of conservation or \"safe havens,\" for natives, as I like to call them. Of course we want to see natives everywhere, but I think you get the gist. It was not blooming, therefore it was difficult for me to identify. The plants leaves are very similar. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Finally, at Garden of The Gods, our tour guide pointed it out and stated that it was the Monument Plant. I was a little bummed that I was so far off in my guess of its' identity but relieved to find out, upon research, that it is actually a Gentian and a native one! I was WOWED, when I saw their HUGE and gorgeous blooms! The name is certainly appropriate. Now to the meat and potatoes:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Frasera speciosa, commonly known as green gentian or monument plant, is a striking perennial wildflower native to the mountainous regions of the western United States. This tall, striking plant produces a central flower spike with numerous small, star-shaped, greenish-white flowers, reaching up to 8 feet tall, making it stand out in alpine and subalpine meadows. They bloom once every few years before the plant dies (monocarpic - meaning it grows vegetatively for several years, storing energy before flowering only once, producing seeds and then dying.) Agaves are also monocarpic.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e The plant’s large basal leaves form a rosette at the base that is also very attractive. It is a good idea to have a few of these growing as they can bloom in different years, giving you typically at least one blooming each year, then the seeds that are produced can be replanted.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Habitat and Growing Conditions:\u003cbr\u003e Elevation: Typically found at 6,000 to 12,000 feet.\u003cbr\u003e Soil: Prefers well-drained, rocky or sandy soils.\u003cbr\u003e Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.\u003cbr\u003e Distribution: Found in alpine meadows, open forests, and subalpine zones across states the following states, where it is native:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Arizona\u003cbr\u003e California\u003cbr\u003e Colorado\u003cbr\u003e Idaho\u003cbr\u003e Montana\u003cbr\u003e Nevada\u003cbr\u003e New Mexico\u003cbr\u003e Oregon\u003cbr\u003e South Dakota\u003cbr\u003e Texas\u003cbr\u003e Utah\u003cbr\u003e Washington\u003cbr\u003e Wyoming\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e It is often used in restoration projects and alpine or subalpine gardens. The plant is also important ecologically, attracting pollinators like bees and flies.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Though not endangered, habitat destruction can affect populations in some areas. It plays an essential role in mountain ecosystems. It is adapted to harsh conditions.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Perennial zones 3-8\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Like most all cooler climate perennials, the seeds require a period of cold to break dormancy. These require 90-120 days. This can be achieved by planting the seeds in fall\/winter for a spring emergence or folding the seeds into a moist paper towel and sealing them in a ziploc bag and placing them in your refrigerator for 90-120 days, then sow as normal. You can also seal them in a ziploc with some moist sand. I do not recommend trying to grow this plant outside of the natural conditions as outlined above. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e This is for 10 seeds\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e 1st photo credit: Robert Sivinski\u003cbr\u003e 2nd Photo credit: CL R\u003cbr\u003e 3rd Photo credit: Rose Rose\u003cbr\u003e 4th Photo credit: Freckles Muirhead","brand":"SeedCult","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53058302116203,"sku":"FS0110","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0973\/5815\/2043\/files\/0_2c5d2e4f-1345-4fc2-ab88-0003ad46d5d6.jpg?v=1775071980","url":"https:\/\/seedcult.com\/products\/monument-plant-fs0110","provider":"SeedCult","version":"1.0","type":"link"}