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Texas Bluebell Eustoma grandiflorum

Phonetic Spelling
YOO-stoh-mah grand-ih-FLOR-um
Description

Eustoma grandiflorum, or Lisianthus, is a flowering biennial that will survive the winter temperatures of USDA Zones 8-10, but rather than being considered a perennial, it is more typically grown as an annual. It does best in average, moist, well-drained soil with full morning sun and afternoon shade. Because the seeds are very small and it can take months for a plant to mature from seed, it is more often purchased and transplanted or started as seed indoors 10 to 12 weeks before last frost. Flowers grow on single or branching stems and bloom from summer to first frost. You can pinch back the plant to encourage branching. Flowers are very showy in pink, white, and lavender and make good cut flowers The plant is noted for good drought tolerance.

Cultivars typically grow 18 to 30 inches tall, although some dwarf varieties only reach 6 to 8 inches tall. The dwarf plants are effective in pots or as houseplants. Cultivars also offer a range of flower colors including shades of pink, blue-violet and white. Some double-flowered varieties are also available. Lisianthus is an excellent cut flower.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

No serious insect or disease problems. Look out for viruses and stem cankers. It is susceptible to a number of fungal diseases.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#biennial#afternoon shade#transplant#morning sun#fantz#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#biennial#afternoon shade#transplant#morning sun#fantz#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eustoma
    Species:
    grandiflorum
    Family:
    Gentianaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Biennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern Mexico, Great Plains of the US
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Large gentian-like flowers (to 2” across) with flaring pale purple petal-like lobes bloom in summer from the upper leaf axils. Displays pink, white, and pale purple blossoms from summer to first frost.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Waxy
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Three to five veined, stem-clasping, gray-green leaves to 3 inches long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Erect single to sometimes branching stems rising to 3’ tall
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought