Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
9/19/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Maria Ball, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-2710, mball@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Lisianthus: A Great Garden Cut Flower
By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens
Every plant – even a weed – has a notable or unique characteristic. It may be its height, flowering habit, fragrance or its ability to self-seed. This week's Reiman's Pick, lisianthus, Eustoma grandiflorum, is noted for being one of the best and most beautiful garden cut flowers.
Lisianthus may sound like a Latin name, but it is one of several common names associated with this plant. It is also referred to as Prairie Gentian, Prairie Rose or Texas Bluebell. The plants we grow today are derived from an American wildflower that is native to the prairie from Colorado to Nebraska and down to Texas. The wild, native plant has blue flowers; however, commercial breeders have developed plants with larger blooms in a wide color palette.
Lisianthus hybrids come in solid colors of white, light and dark pink, lavender and dark purple, and the "picotee" series of white blooms edged with pink or purple. A recent addition to the color selection is creamy white with just a hint of yellow. The varieties with double petals resemble a rose with their tightly closed buds on long stems. As the flower opens, the ruffled petals resemble those of a wild rose. The multi-branched stems have several buds that open successively.
You may have seen lisianthus in an arrangement or in bundles for sale at the florist. They are gaining in popularity with the floral industry because of their beauty and long vase life. Each flower will last at least one week after opening and, since there are several buds on a stem, others continue to open for several more days.
This year, the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers recognized the 'Echo' series lisianthus as the "Fresh Cut Flower of the Year." They found it to be a consistent performer in their fields and a great cut flower. 'Echo' lisianthus flowers earlier in the season than other varieties and produces a spray of several buds. Those buds open into large double blooms. The plants grow about 24 inches tall. A planting of 'Echo' lisianthus provides a great supply of cut flowers and also makes an attractive display in the garden. However, early varieties introduced to the home garden market were short and the blossoms were small. If it wasn't for a few, unique blooms, the plants weren't the best garden flowers. However, plant breeders continued to improve the quality, size and longevity of lisianthus, and gardeners soon discovered that these beautiful flowers could be grown successfully in their own gardens.
To grow lisianthus successfully at home, you may need the help of your local greenhouse. Although it is an annual in our Midwest climate, I don't recommend starting the seeds at home on the windowsill or under grow lights. The seeds are extremely small and the plants require five to six months to produce blooms. That means in order to have them blooming by July, you will need to start the seeds in January. After trying to grow her own transplants unsuccessfully for two years, a local gardener was so determined to grow lisianthus in her garden that she purchased the seed and had a local greenhouse grow them for her. Fortunately, more greenhouses are growing and selling lisianthus transplants, so let them do the work for you.
Set out lisianthus transplants in a sunny location after the threat of frost is past. Since they are native to prairie areas, they prefer well-drained soil. Keep the soil moist but avoid over-watering. Transplant the seedlings six to eight inches apart so they grow close together and the plants support each other. Tall, heavy blooming stems may need to be staked. Harvest the stems for cut flowers when the first buds in the spray open. Enjoy them indoors as well as outdoors.
An entire bed in the Trial Garden, located in the center of Reiman Gardens' 14 acres, contains mixed colors of 'Echo' lisianthus. These plants are still blooming profusely, even this late in the season.
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