
Prairie Bluebell – Gentian Family (Gentianaceae)
Eustoma grandiflorum, (Raf.) Shinners
Region: 1 through 10 (Ellis Co is Region 4)
Size: 1 – 2 feet
Blooms: June – September, Annual/Biennial
Texas has two species of Eustoma. Both have paired, smooth, bluish green leaves that clasp the stem. Bluebells (E. exaltatum) are difficult to distinguish. Flowers are cup-shaped, with five to seven blue to deep blue-violet petals, although the color can vary from pinkish to light blue or white. A dark, purple blotch surrounded by a light halo is centered in the cup, as is a prominent two-lobed yellow stigma. Flowers are two to four inches across. These handsome plants are available in nurseries. They were first cultivated by the Japanese, who recognized their horticultural merit more than thirty years ago. Bluebells prefer seasonally stands, such as roadside ditches, meadows or prairie swales. Sometimes a single plant or only a few are seen at one location; in other places, bluebells may blanket many acres.
Recent Blog Posts:
February in the Garden - The cold weather and freezing temperatures at the end of the year damaged grasses, plants and trees across the state. The coldest December in Texas in 40 years left gardeners... Read More →
Children’s Workshop - Come join us March 25th, in the Childrens Workshop, as we get “Wild about Gardening”! We are excited to welcome Scout Woodward, from Texas Discovery Garden, who will be bringing... Read More →
Wildflower of the Month - Prairie Spiderwort – Dayflower Family (Commelinaceae) Tradescantia accidentalis (Britt.) Smyth Region: 1 through 10 (Ellis County is in Region 4) Size: 6 – 36 inches Blooms: February – July, Perennial... Read More →
Should You Keep a Garden Journal? - A garden journal can be a lined notebook or an inexpensive composition book for recording dates, plans and jotting notes about your garden. It can be a printed journal divided... Read More →
Bug O’ the Month-Cochineal - Have you ever noticed a prickly pear cactus with white fuzz on it, especially around the thorns? That’s the tell-tale sign of the presence of cochineal scale bugs. And, while... Read More →
Elevated Raised Beds Make Gardening Less of a Chore - Does your back ache after a long day of gardening? Do your knees get sore from kneeling while you plant, weed or harvest your vegetables? Do rabbits routinely nibble your... Read More →





