Does anyone think this plant might be Gentian? Long ago I ordered a Gentian True Blue - looks similar, but I only have photos of it to compare..

I don't know what your plant is, but I was hoping someone could identify it.

Thanks woodrose, I keep checking back just incase someone knows! Another clue is that it's sort of floppy and doesn't stand up- so maybe in the ground cover category? I'm just gunna let it grow and see what happens.

For woodrose77 or anyone else who was curious or for anyone to correct me....I think I identified the mystery plant as some kind of Gentiana maybe a Gentiana septemfida but maybe another typ of Geniana as my leaves are slightly different..

Photos and info on this link: http://www.robsplants.com/plants/gentisepte

I do recall ordering a Gentiana Bottle Blue years ago, maybe a seed came long in the pot from another type of Gentiana plant at the nursery. My photo of when I first noticed it back in 2023 in my garden.

My understanding is that Gentian True Blue would have flowers along the stem.

Gentiana Bottle Blue seems to have more upright foliage in images.

You need to see it flower to be sure.

Here is my Gentiana septemfida var. lagodechiana

It spawls the way you describe and the flowers are quite large. Please keep us updated when it flowers.

Thanks for getting back to us. Gentians are way out of my experience so I didn't make any suggestions.

"Peren.all" thanks for your input and excellent beautiful photo.

And "Floral-uk" thanks for viewing all the same!

I no longer have my Gentiana Bottle Blue, which looked nothing like my mystery plant- but it does resemble your photo, except my leaves are arranged differently. I'm amazed how much the shape and sprawl is similar to your plant.

I have never seen a bloom on my mystery plant, but I will be watching closely from now on and will report back to this link!

Seems there is a lot of variation in how a Gentiana septemfida var. lagodechiana aka Summer Gentian- and how a Gentiana septemfida aka Crested Gentian look as seen in the photos on the link I shared above.

Starting early spring through autumn next year in 2026 I will be watching for blooms!

Another clue on this plant- temps been as low as 12° and snow and it's still evergreen!

Mystery plant might be Sherwood Blue Creeping Phlox, it's about to bloom.

Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh I would say that is pretty likely. I did not think of it since the two Phlox stolonifera I have are Home Fires & Bruce's White. Both have rounded leaves unlike Sherwood Blue. They are also evergreen.

What had me so confused it that the leaves of Sherwood Blue Woodland Phlox change shape and texture. They went from the low growing thick leaves to thin and hairy leaves...total change in appearance.

I found this info below to confirm what was confusing me on this ID. It may be of interest to other gardeners:

"Yes, the leaves of 'Sherwood Blue' Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata) change in both appearance and, to some extent, texture throughout the growing season, primarily due to the plant's production of two different types of shoots. Later in the season, the plant leaves behind a lower-growing, carpet-like mat of infertile (non-flowering) shoots. The leaves on these shoots are generally wider, have more rounded tips, and are less hairy than the initial spring leaves." - source AI google question