Eustoma grandiflorum, Lisianthus “F1 Lizzy” is known for its luscious mixture of pink, blue and white open bell shaped blooms on thick straight stems. This most beautiful florist cut-flower variety is now available as a mix.

Attaining a mature height of 30cm (12in) the large 5 to 7cm (2 to 3in) blooms are produced in good numbers on each plant. The compact, branching plants are ideal for the border and also lend themselves to container culture. They fit perfectly into patio containers where the rose-like blooms can be appreciated.

Lisianthus are one of the most romantic of flowers and are the flower of choice for many weddings and cut flower bouquets. The wiry stems hold the blooms in good floral condition for an amazing length of time so that a vase of these flowers needs changing less than any other cut flowers and there is rarely petal or leaf drop.

Blooming from May to September they are most often grown as annuals but can be grown as a perennial in warm areas or in a heated greenhouse. They like full sun, good drainage and good fertile, composted soil for the best flowering, but outside of that, they don't really ask for a lot more.

Sowing: Sow early indoors from end of January to early March.
Most often planted as an annual the seeds are sown early in the year. Start seed around 12 to 14 weeks, around mid February before the last spring frost. Sowing to flowering is around 22 to 26 weeks.
The plants are naturally perennial but are very tender and will not tolerate frosts. For earlier flowers seeds can be sown late in the year but grown indoors and kept warm throughout the winter ready to be planted out the next year once the soil have warmed sufficiently.

Sow the seeds in good free draining seed moist compost. Gently press the pelleted seeds into the compost.
Seal the seed container inside a polythene bag after sowing to prevent them from drying and don't exclude light. Germination takes 10-30 days at 20 to 25°C (70 to 75°F). Keep in the polythene bag until the seedlings have some true leaves,
Transplant the seedlings carefully into 7.5cm (3in) pots as soon as you can. They don't like root disturbance and may show a little sign of growth at first. Don't over water and grow on in good light.
Once the plants are filling out and have a number of leaves, pinch back the tips of the young plants, this will promote bushiness.
Plants can be planted outside 8 to 12 weeks after the last frost date.

Cultivation:
In spring, gradually harden off and plant out, 23cm (9in) apart, when all risk of frost has gone.
Lisianthus is a sun loving plant that needs at least six hours of full sunlight daily
Choose a position with good drainage and amend the soil with good fertile, compost with a little sharp sand added for extra drainage if necessary.
As plants grow pinch out growing points once or twice. Tall varieties will need support. Remove spent flowers to encourage new blooms.

Plant Uses:
Cottage/Informal Garden, Cut Flowers, Flowers Borders and Beds. Containers and Patio Pots.

Plant Uses:
Lisianthus are best picked in the morning, and are placed straight into a cool room, in a solution of very clean water, with a preservative added.
Lisianthus plants are usually cropped twice and, though they will start to produce a third crop, plant vigour dictates against a third harvesting.

Origin:
Originating in the West Indies, Mexico, and Central and South America,
They are also known as Prairie Gentian or Texas Bluebell, the latter name a reference to the blue flowers of the wild species that grows on the prairies of Texas and Mexico. Most specialist cultivated varieties are now grown in Japan.

Nomenclature:
Eustoma is taken from the Greek eu for 'good or beautiful' and stoma for 'mouth' the throat of the corolla tube being quite large. The species name grandiflorum simply means ‘large flowered’
The flower is commonly known as Lisianthus which comes from the Greek words lysis, meaning "dissolution," and anthos, meaning "flower," and alludes to the bitter quality of some medicinal species.
Eustoma grandiflorum is a member of the Gentianaceae family.
Flower meaning :Outgoing