Lisianthus Anyone? - Charlotte County Cooperative Extension

LISIANTHUS ANYONE?Ralph E. Mitchell, Director/Horticulture Agent - <strong>Charlotte</strong> <strong>County</strong> UF/IFAS <strong>Extension</strong> ServiceREM-09052008-034REM-10172008-040Have you ever heard of the lisianthus? <strong>Lisianthus</strong> or Eustoma grandiflorum is a wildflower native tothe western prairies that has been selectively bred to produce large flowers in a wide range of colors.Traced to a wildflower known as the Prairie Gentian or Prairie Rose, the lisianthus is nowadays oftenseen in garden centers or florists as a potted plant, bedding annual or cut flower. The unusual bluegreenfoliage sets off the purple, pink, white, and pink or purple-edged flowers that look almost roseor tulip-like in appearance. This appearance is further accentuated in the ruffled double-petaled cultivars.From time to time, I have seen lisianthus at several garden centers and florists in our countyand believe that their unique beauty is worth a second look.The lisianthus first became a commercial interest in the 1980's as a cut flower and potted plant. Floridahas done its share of breeding this unique plant. In fact in 1985, the University of Florida's GulfCoast Research and Education Center began a breeding program focused on enhancing the greatqualities of lisianthus. A good deal of breeding work produced some plants that were better adaptedto a garden setting. In 1995, a cultivar named 'Florida Blue' was released out of that work. 'FloridaBlue' can be used as a bedding plant as it is both semi-dwarf and heat-tolerant in regards to flowerproduction. Another cultivar, 'Maurine Blue' is a taller, heat-tolerant selection that can be used as abedding plant or cut and used in bouquets.Some types of lisianthus are naturally tall and have a tendency to fall over. Accordingly, taller varietiescan either be staked or several plants clustered together for support. The taller types are idealfor cut flower production.You can obtain seed to grow your own lisianthus frommany seed catalogs. However, you have to be patientas it may take up to six months to see the first blooms.With non-heat tolerant varieties, temperature is alsocritical as to if they bloom as an annual or bloom the(Continued on page 2)The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty theproducts named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information, and otherservices only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation,marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, please contact <strong>Charlotte</strong> <strong>County</strong><strong>Extension</strong> Service at 941.764.4340, or visit us online at http://charlotte.ifas.ufl.edu. U.S. Department of Agriculture, <strong>Cooperative</strong> <strong>Extension</strong> Service, University ofFlorida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University <strong>Cooperative</strong> <strong>Extension</strong> Program, and Boards of <strong>County</strong> Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.

LISIANTHUS ANYONE? 2October 17, 2008next year and behave as a perennial. It may bebest to just purchase started transplants or pottedplants already in bloom. After the bloomshave faded, you can cut the plants back and expecta repeat bloom in about six weeks. Botanicallyspeaking, while grown mostly as an annual,lisianthus is actually a biennial that may behavealmost like a short-lived perennial.If you intend to try them in a flower bed, select asite that has excellent drainage. They like ourslightly alkaline soils and also appreciate ourdrier winter weather. Plant lisianthus in a full sunResource:Gilman, E.F. (2007) Eustoma grandiflorum <strong>Lisianthus</strong>. UF/IFAS <strong>Extension</strong> Service.Harbaugh, B. (2003) New Plants for Florida - <strong>Lisianthus</strong>. UF/IFAS <strong>Extension</strong> Service.to part shade area with about 12 inches betweenplants. In our hardiness zone, October and Novemberare acceptable times to plant this flower.<strong>Lisianthus</strong> look their best as an informal borderplanting.<strong>Lisianthus</strong> is an interesting if not challengingplant to try. If anything, consider growing lisianthusas a nice container specimen and enjoy thespectacular floral display as each bloom will lastat least one week.Naeve, L. (2002) <strong>Lisianthus</strong>: A Great Garden Cut Flower. Iowa State University <strong>Extension</strong>.photos courtesy of:University of Arkansas<strong>Cooperative</strong> <strong>Extension</strong> ServiceKlingaman, G. (2006) Plant of the Week: <strong>Lisianthus</strong>/ Eustoma grandiflorum. The University of Arkansas<strong>Cooperative</strong> <strong>Extension</strong> Service.Harbaugh, B.K. & Scott, J.W. (1996) ‘Florida Blue’ Semi-dwarf <strong>Lisianthus</strong>. Gulf Coast Research and EducationCenter, University of Florida, 5007 60th Street East, Bradenton, FL 34203. HortScience 31(6):1057-1058. 1996.For more information on all types of flowering plants suitable for both beds and containers, please contact ourMaster Gardeners on the Plant Lifeline at 941.764.4340 from 1:00pm-4:00pm Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.Our office is located at 25550 Harbor View Road, Suite 3, in Port <strong>Charlotte</strong>.MONTHLY PLANT CLINICS ARE SATURDAYS FROM 9:00AM-12:00PM.‣ Powell’s Nursery .................................................................................................1 st Saturday of month‣ Peachland Publix.................................................................................................2 nd Saturday of month‣ Home Depot (Punta Gorda, Port <strong>Charlotte</strong>, Englewood)......................................3 rd Saturday of month‣ Lowes ...................................................................................................................4 th Saturday of monthPLANT CLINICS AVAILABLE ACROSS THE COUNTY:‣ Demonstration Garden (6900 Florida Street, PG) Thursdays 9:00am-11:00am.‣ Englewood/<strong>Charlotte</strong> Public Library Thursdays 10:00am-1:00pm.‣ Mid-<strong>County</strong> Regional Library 1 st and 3 rd Thursday of month 1:00pm-3:00pm.‣ Punta Gorda Library 2 nd and 4 th Wednesday of month from 10:00am-1:00pm.‣ Edison College Learning Resources Library 3 rd Tuesday of month 1:00pm-4:00pm.‣ South Gulf Cove Learning Garden (13577 Blake Drive, PC) 3 rd Wednesday of month from 9:00am-12:00pm.Ralph Mitchell (Ralph.Mitchell@charlottefl.com) is the <strong>County</strong> <strong>Extension</strong> Director/Horticulture Agent for <strong>Charlotte</strong><strong>County</strong> <strong>Extension</strong> Service. Contact a volunteer Master Gardener from 1:00pm-4:00pm Monday, Wednesday,and Friday at 941.764.4340 or by email (Master.Gardener@charlottefl.com).For more information about our Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program, please contact our FYN HorticultureProgram Assistant, Allison Steele, at 941.764.4351. Allison can help educate you about the Florida Yards& Neighborhoods Program so that you can create a beautiful, Florida-Friendly landscape that saves you timeand money while conserving precious water resources and reducing pollution.