There are many gentians that would be classified as herbaceous perennials, with tall stems and whorls or pairs of flowers, usually trumpet- or bell-shaped. Often these are characteristically gentian blue, but in other cases they can be yellow, purple or white.

Gentiana dahurica (gracilipes) var. dahurica is an easy and rewarding Gentian with handsome evergreen foliage and abundant intense blue trumpet flowers.