Rose-like blooms on a plant that tolerates our heat: double ‘Echo Blue’ and ‘Mariachi Blue’ for spring. Slow to start, then spectacular from May into June — full sun with afternoon shade, even moisture, and never a wet crown.
Lisianthus produces flowers that pass for roses — layered, satiny, in blues, purples, pinks and white — on a plant that grows wild on the prairies of Texas and northern Mexico and takes heat better than almost any other cut flower. It is slow: transplants set out in February or March sit for weeks building roots before the stems shoot up in April, and then it blooms from May into June, when most spring annuals have quit. ‘Echo Blue’ is the classic double; ‘Mariachi Blue’ a fully double, ruffled type.
Both come. Even moisture, sharp drainage, and a fresh spot each year. The rest of the color tables are on our Annual Flowers & Foliage page.
These are the lisianthus varieties we commonly carry. Availability changes week to week and season to season, so call (480) 987-3308 or stop in to see what’s on the bench today.
A double lisianthus with deep blue-purple, rose-form flowers on 24–30-inch stems — the standard cut-flower variety.
Fully double, heavily ruffled blue-purple flowers with more petals than ‘Echo’, on similar stems.
Looking for one that isn’t listed? Ask — we can usually suggest a close match or tell you when it tends to come around.
The care tag was written somewhere else. This is the Queen Creek version.
Set out from mid-February through March so the plant establishes in cool weather. It appears to do nothing for four to six weeks, then grows fast and blooms from May into June and sometimes July. A September planting flowers in November in a mild fall. Frost damages it.
Well-drained, amended soil or a quality potting mix; plant at exactly the depth it was in the pack — a buried crown rots. Water every two to three days in spring and daily in pots by May, at the base, keeping the soil evenly moist but never soggy. Mulch, but keep it an inch from the stem.
Cut stems when one or two flowers are open; buds continue opening in the vase for up to two weeks, which is why florists love it. Cutting encourages side shoots and a second flush.
Full sun through spring; afternoon shade from late May extends the bloom into July. It tolerates heat but not the combination of afternoon sun and dry soil.
A balanced fertilizer at half strength every two weeks from the time it starts growing. Tall stems heavy with flowers lean; a low ring of stakes and string, or planting in a close block, keeps them upright.
Fusarium wilt — a plant that yellows and collapses from the base — is fatal and persists in soil. Pull affected plants, and plant lisianthus in a different spot or fresh potting mix each year. Aphids and thrips on buds; insecticidal soap. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Snap a photo of the spot — sun direction, wall color, pot size — and we’ll pick a season-correct combination with you. Advice is free.
Annuals succeed or fail on what’s under them. We stock planting mix and compost for beds, potting mix for containers, bloom fertilizers including Tony’s Magic Mix and Magic Flower, starter fertilizer, drip fittings and frost cloth for the cold nights. The pottery yard has glazed and terracotta pots from 4-inch to whiskey-barrel size, window boxes and hanging baskets, and soil and mulch is sold by the bag or by the yard.
It is building roots. Lisianthus sits still for a month or more after planting, then grows quickly and blooms in May. Keep it evenly watered and wait.
Mid-February through March. It blooms from May into June, later than most spring annuals.
Better than most — it is a Texas and Mexico native. Afternoon shade from late May keeps it blooming into July.
Every two to three days in spring and daily in pots by May, at the base, evenly moist and never soggy.
Probably fusarium wilt, a soil disease. Remove it and plant lisianthus somewhere else next year.
Yes, non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Lisianthus live on the annuals tables; any staff member can point you to them. Locally owned, and a short drive from San Tan Valley, Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa.