Chiltern Gentian

There is a great flush of Chiltern Gentians at the nature reserve, flowering a bit earlier this year than normal. There are already some spectacular plants, around three times the height of any specimens of its close relative, Felwort or Autumn Gentian. This is a great speciality of unimproved grassy slopes in the Chilterns and is the county flower of Buckinghamshire. My summer feels complete once I see it in flower.