PlantFiles: Prairie Gentian, Lisianthus, Texas Bluebell
Eustoma grandiflorum 'Echo Blue'

Urban development around Dallas TX (zone 8)has eliminated fields of this wild flower, but assume they might be plentiful around Brenham TX, Blue Bell Ice Cream factory.
The wild ones only have 5 (sometimes 4 or 6) petals, whereas florist ones are multi layered. I grow blue and pink from nursery...have never seen any other colors offered. Mild winter of 2012 allowed last year's to bloom this summer.

I purchased 2 from a nursary in Lancaster PA.
Plant had yellowish buds and I really ignored the tag in the plant that showed a deep blue flower.
As the bud opens, the flower gets bluer and bluer. It's a nice contrast to my otherwise red & yellow blooming garden.
Planted to get full sun & needs very little attention.

A landscaper introduced this Texas native to a friends garden as an annual. Immediately I asked if I too could purchase some from him.
The 10 plants of varying cultivars flowered beautifully that year. The plants reseeded for a second year but didn't look as well. I didn't protect the area from the Cape Cod winter so not surprising. I wasn't into flower seed collecting at the time as I concentrated on the veggies in the back.

Stunning in bloom and truly a joy: I replanted as annuals until I moved to the mid-Atlantic area. Oddly enough I haven't had any luck whatsoever growing these in this location 08349. Despite better climate and soil, more time devoted and a whole lot of money invested in quality seed. I haven't found a garden center in 50 mile radius who carries the plant.