Eustoma Bouquet: What Our Saint Petersburg Florists Tell Customers

An eustoma bouquet is a bouquet made of eustoma, known in English as lisianthus: a flower with thin, silky petals that open into a cup shape, often compared to a rose. Each stem carries one or two open flowers and several buds, so the bouquet looks full and keeps opening for days. With proper care it stays fresh for about two weeks.

In our Saint Petersburg shops eustoma has been one of the most requested flowers for years, and customers ask the same handful of questions about it. Below we answer them in the order we usually hear them: what eustoma is, how it compares to roses, which colours to pick, how to look after the bouquet, and how to send one to someone in Russia.

'Is this a rose?' - what eustoma actually is

This is the question we hear most often when someone sees eustoma in the shop window for the first time. It is not a rose: eustoma belongs to the gentian family and comes originally from North American grasslands. The double varieties, with layered petals, look very much like a garden rose in bud, while single varieties resemble a large bellflower or a poppy.

The stem is long and branching, with grey-green leaves and several flowers at different stages. That is the key difference from a rose: one rose stem gives you one flower, whereas one eustoma stem gives you a small spray. A bouquet of eustoma therefore looks lighter and more airy than a rose bouquet with the same number of stems.

Eustoma has almost no scent. For many customers this is an advantage - it suits offices, bedrooms, and people who find lilies or hyacinths too heavy. For those who want fragrance, we usually suggest adding a few garden-style roses to the bouquet. If you are curious about why eustoma became such a favourite here, our article on eustoma in Russia tells the story.

'Which colour should I choose?'

White and cream eustoma is the most universal. It suits weddings, christenings, the birth of a baby and any occasion where you want calm and elegance. Pale pink is the choice for mothers, grandmothers and romantic gestures that should feel tender rather than passionate. Lilac and deep purple look refined and are popular for women who like something less obvious than pink.

Two-tone varieties, white with a purple or pink edge, are what many people picture when they hear the word eustoma. They photograph beautifully and look striking even in a small bouquet. Green eustoma is a quieter option that works well in modern, minimalist arrangements and in bouquets for men.

Customers also ask about symbolism. Eustoma is traditionally associated with gratitude and charm, so it is a fitting choice for a thank-you to a teacher, a doctor or a colleague. For a deeper look at what each shade says, see our guide to eustoma meaning.

Bouquets we can deliver

Bouquet of 3 white lilies

$50

★ 5.0 · 79 reviews

Mixed bouquet of 7 red roses and 8 alstroemerias

$87

★ 4.8 · 48 reviews

Bouquet of 7 alstroemerias mix

$43

★ 4.9 · 40 reviews

Mixed bouquet of 3 chrysanthemums and 3 alstroemerias

$47

★ 5.0 · 38 reviews

'Mono or mixed - and how many stems?'

A mono bouquet of one colour gives a clean, restrained look, and because each stem carries several flowers, even 9 or 11 stems already form a generous shape. A mix of two shades, for example white and lilac, adds depth without losing the delicate character. For a Russian recipient, remember the custom of an odd number of stems in a mono bouquet for a living person.

In mixed bouquets eustoma works as a softener. Next to roses it hides the stiffness of a classic rose bouquet; next to chrysanthemums it adds elegance; with statice or light greenery it gives a relaxed, summery feel. Florists also like it as a bridge between colours, because the pale shades sit comfortably beside almost anything.

For weddings, white and cream eustoma is a classic in bridal bouquets and in bouquets from guests. It is light to hold, does not stain clothes with pollen, and keeps its shape through a long day, which is why brides often choose it over lilies.

'How long will it last, and how do I look after it?'

With good care an eustoma bouquet usually lasts 10 to 14 days. When it arrives, trim each stem by 2-3 cm at an angle with a sharp knife, remove leaves below the waterline, and place it in clean, cool water. Change the water every day or two and trim the stems again each time.

Remove flowers as they fade. This is the most important advice we give: once the older blooms are gone, the buds lower on the stem open in turn, and the bouquet renews itself. Small, tight green buds may never colour in a vase; that is normal, and they still add texture.

Keep the bouquet away from radiators, direct sunlight and fruit. Do not spray the petals - drops of water leave marks on eustoma. Choose a tall vase that supports the long stems; our article on vase shape explains why the right vase keeps flowers alive longer. And wash the vase thoroughly before use, because bacteria left from a previous bouquet shorten the life of the next one.

Some customers ask whether they can put eustoma in the fridge overnight to slow it down. A cool room is better than a fridge: most domestic fridges are too cold and contain fruit and vegetables, which release ethylene. If you need to keep the bouquet fresh before an event, stand it in water in the coolest room of the flat.

Ordering an eustoma bouquet for delivery in Russia

You can choose an eustoma bouquet in our bouquets catalogue and order it online. Enter the recipient's address and your card text - the card is free - and pay by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay. Foreign bank cards are accepted too, through Robokassa, which is convenient if you live abroad and are sending flowers to family in Russia.

City delivery costs 500 RUB; for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. In large cities we deliver by express within 1-2 hours after the order is confirmed, at an exact time within plus or minus 30 minutes, in a time window (09-12, 12-15, 15-18 or 18-21), or on a date you choose 1-30 days ahead. In Saint Petersburg delivery works around the clock.

The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival. If nobody is home, we agree a second delivery the same day or, with your consent, leave the flowers with a neighbour or concierge. Delivery is anonymous by default, so sign the card if you want the recipient to know who sent the bouquet. For any questions, call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05.

Since 2011 in Saint Petersburg

Pyat Tsvetov has been working with flowers since 2011, and today we have three of our own shops in Saint Petersburg: on Ilyushina Street, on the Obvodny Canal Embankment and on Srednerogatskaya Street. Eustoma is always among the flowers customers ask us to include, and our florists assemble bouquets with it every day.

If you are in the city, you can come in and see the colours with your own eyes before choosing. If you are ordering from abroad, describe the occasion and the recipient when you call, and we will suggest a combination that suits them. We deliver bouquets across Russia in 1–2 hours.