SCIENTIFIC NAME: Eustoma grandiflorum

COMMON NAME: Lisianthus

FAMILY: Gentianaceae

TYPE: perennial (not reliable) in zone 8, annual farther north; native to eastern U.S.

LEAVES: opposite, ovate and sessile, glabrous and glaucous

FLOWER: single or double, purple-blue, pink, or white

SEASON OF BLOOM: summer and fall, flower lasts about 2 weeks on or off plant, deadheading encourages fall flowering

GROWTH HABIT: 1 to 3', upright

SOIL: moist best but drought tolerant, well drained

SUN: full sun, heat tolerant

UTILIZATION: beds (shorter cultivars), cut flower garden

DISEASES: root rot in wet soils

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: none serious

PROPAGATION: seed--very slow to grow initially

MAINTENANCE: low