Also known as Texas bluebell or prairie gentian, lisianthus is a long-stemmed flower, popular in floral arrangements and a native of the warm southern states of the USA. The flowers are large and bell-shaped with flaring petals and yellow centres.
1. Pipe a guide circle, then with deep violet and untinted buttercream in your piping bag (see Blended Two-tone Effect), position the nozzle at a 20 to 30 degree angle with the wide end touching the circle.
2. Pipe a layer of slightly wavy curved petals (see Basic Petal Strokes) following the guide circle.
3. Repeat the same process and pipe a few more layers, alternating slightly wavy and straight curved petals.
4. Pipe short, fat spikes in the centre using green buttercream in a bag with a small hole at the tip.
5. Pipe a few yellow spikes in between the green ones.