At the beginning of Winter it is time for a trip to the Wild West where we find the roots of Lisianthus. Over the coming period introduce this colourful flower with its powerful symbolism to your customers.
LISIANTHUS’ HER ORGIN
The Lisianthus originates from North America where it grows in desert riverbeds and in prairie regions. In the states of Texas, Nebraska, Nevada and Colorado they call this plant prairie gentian. In the 1930s Japanese growers crossed the prairie gentian, laying the foundations for today’s range. The Lisianthus is sometimes called Eustoma, which is the official scientific name.
LISIANTHUS SHAPES AND COLOURS
This flower is mostly seen in white and purple, but there is an enormous choice of colour available: the Lisianthus comes in white, green, blue, pink, lilac, purple and salmon hues. Some flowers even have petals with multiple colours. The Lisianthus also comes in many shapes: single and double flowered, large and small flowered and even with fringed petals. Apart from being colourful, Lisianthus petals are also very soft and delicate.
The Van der Lugt Lisianthus from left to right: 1 Lisianthus Champagne, 2 Lisianthus Prime White, 3 Lisianthus Rosita Pink, 4 Lisianthus Lavendel, 5 Lisianthus Rosita Yellow, 6 Lisianthus Rosita White, 7 Lisianthus Corelli Apricot, 8 Lisianthus Hot Lips, 9 Lisianthus Rosita Red, 10 Lisianthus Excalibur Blue Picotee, 11 Lisianthus Rosita Green and 12 Lisianthus Arena Light Pink.
The Montana Lisianthus from left to right:1 Lisianthus Rosanna Green, 2 Lisianthus Botanic Blue, 3 Lisianthus Celeb Madonna, 4 Lisianthus Alissa Champagne, 5 Lisianthus Delft Blue, 6 Lisianthus Deep Brown, 7 Lisianthus Alissa White, 8 Lisianthus Alissa Pink, 9 Lisianthus Celeb Grape, 10 Lisianthus Black Pearl, 11 Lisianthus Alissa Light Apricot and 12 Lisianthus Alissa Yellow.
MEET THE GROWERS: VAN DER LUGT & MONTANA LISIANTHUS
This week we have two Lisianthus growers in our Flower Gallery, both with their own specialties. These growers are two of the largest Lisianthus growers in the Netherlands. Read more about them below:
VAN DER LUGT
The colourful flowers will welcome you when you enter the flower nursery of Van der Lugt Lisianthus. After the flowers are harvested, they are processed and placed in water within five minutes. Completely ready for transportation to our cold storage! About 600,000 stems leave their nursery on a weekly basis. High on the priority list of Van der Lugt Lisianthus is quality and sustainability. For a couple of years already, they have been producing their flowers in a sustainable way, that is why they are MPS certified.
MONTANA LISIANTHUS
Everything at Montana is focused on giving Lisianthus an extraordinary, long and splendid vase life. This starts with finding the right varieties. Montana only chooses the strongest varieties of Lisianthus, which have strong branches and gorgeous flowers with strong firm petals. To get fuller branching the plants are wider planted, more generously than usual and special light is being used.
CARE TIPS FOR FLORISTS
Help your customers enjoy their Lisianthus longer by giving them the following tips:
• Select a clean vase and fill it with tap water at room temperature.
• Add cut flower food to the water for a longer vase life. This has a very positive effect on the vase life for Lisianthus in particular.
• Cut or trim the stems diagonally by 3 to 5 cm with a clean sharp knife or secateurs.
• Make sure there are no leaves hanging in the water.
• Do not place Lisianthus in a draught, in full sun or near central heating.
• Regularly top the vase up with tap water; Lisianthus flowers drink a lot because they have thin petals, as a result of which they evaporate a lot of moisture.
• Don’t place Lisianthus near a fruit bowl. Fruit emits ethylene gas which will cause the flowers to age more rapidly.
FESTIVE LISIANTHUS INSPIRATION
Inspired by Christmas and the New Year festivities, you can come up with extraordinary Lisianthus arrangements. The flower of the month December is a must-have for table arrangements. Check out the three inspiration styles below:
FESTIVE INSPIRATION STYLE #1. PURE SERENE WHITE
Brilliant white and glistering pink with many petals – that’s what makes these Lisianthus so special. Aren’t these colours ideal for your next Winter arrangement? Tip; turn the Christmas tree peak upside down and place it in a bowl. Add some water and Chrysal flower food to the peak and last but not least place your favourite flower in the peak. Easy yet stylish!
FESTIVE INSPIRATION STYLE #2. ECLECTIC CHRISTMAS PINK
Check out this cool Xmas arrangement by Van der Lugt Lisianthus. They cought on this year’s Christmas trend; Eclectic Gathering. This extravagant trend is a playful combination of bright and dreamy colours such as this soft Pink Lisianthus with rainbow mirror-material baubes. Find the Lisianthus that fits with your trendy floral arrangement in our webshop.
FESTIVE INSPIRATION STYLE #3. STRIKING NEW YEAR’S WHITE
Make it a December to remember… Now that the holiday month has begun- it’s time to celebrate! Forget all the rules, let go and give your creativity free rein. Go out with a blast this year!
