Heirloom

QIS™ White

Consolida ajacis

Photo: AnRo0002 · Wikimedia Commons · (CC0)

Features tall spires of dense florets. Plants produce snow white double blooms with a small percentage of singles. 1 1/2-1 3/4" florets on 9-12" flower spikes. Very similar to the Sublime series, which QIS™ replaced. Attracts hummingbirds.

Harvest

80-90d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

1–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

24-36 inches (including 9-12" flower spikes)

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for QIS™ White in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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QIS™ White · Zones 1–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing9-12 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil; slightly acidic to neutral pH

WaterRegular, consistent moisture; do not allow to dry out completely

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorSnow white

Size1 1/2-1 3/4"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Succession Planting

QIS White does best with 2-3 successive sowings rather than one big planting. Direct sow the first round in early April (zone 7), then again around May 1st, and a final round no later than early June — after that, daytime highs pushing past 80°F will cause poor germination and early bolting. Each wave gives you roughly 3-4 weeks of usable flower spikes before the plant sets seed and winds down.

Larkspur self-sows aggressively if you let even a few spikes go to seed. That's not necessarily a problem — one plant allowed to drop seed in place can seed a free follow-on flush — but volunteers come up on their own schedule. If you want controlled cuts on a predictable timeline, deadhead spent spikes before the seed pods brown and split.

Complete Growing Guide

Growing QIS™ White (Consolida ajacis) flower. Light: Full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 1 to 11. Days to maturity: 80. Difficulty: Easy.

Harvesting

QIS™ White reaches harvest at 80 - 90 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 1/2-1 3/4" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

This is an ornamental variety — not grown for harvest. Enjoy in the garden landscape.

Storage & Preservation

QIS® White flowers are best enjoyed fresh immediately after cutting in the early morning when stems are turgid. Display cut stems in a clean vase with fresh water at room temperature, changing water every 2-3 days. For longer vase life (7-10 days), add a floral preservative to the water and keep in a cool location away from direct sun and ripening fruit. To dry for arrangements, harvest mature flower spikes and hang upside-down in a dark, well-ventilated area for 2-3 weeks until completely dry. For pressing, place individual florets between parchment paper under weight for 7-14 days. Frozen preservation is possible—place cut stems in water, freeze in containers, and store at 0°F for several months.

History & Origin

QIS™ White is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Consolida ajacis is an annual flowering plant of the family Ranunculaceae native to Eurasia. It is widespread in other areas, including much of North America, where it is an introduced species. It is frequently grown in gardens as an ornamental for its spikes of blue, pink or white flowers. It may reach a meter in height. Since the aerial parts and seeds of C. ajacis have been found to contain diterpenoid alkaloids, including the highly toxic methyllycaconitine, the plants should be considered as poisonous.

Advantages

+Produces stunning snow white double blooms on tall, dense flower spikes
+Quick 80-90 day maturity makes it ideal for succession planting
+Attracts hummingbirds, adding pollinator interest to garden displays
+Large 1.5-1.75 inch florets create impressive visual impact in arrangements
+Easy growing difficulty makes it suitable for beginner flower farmers

Considerations

-Small percentage of single blooms reduces consistency in premium cut flowers
-Tall 9-12 inch spikes require staking in windy locations
-Prefers cool weather and may bolt or fade in excessive heat
-White flowers show dirt and blemishes more noticeably than darker varieties

Companion Plants

Marigolds — particularly French marigolds, Tagetes patula — are the most practical neighbor here. Their root secretions deter nematodes, and their scent disrupts aphid host-finding, which matters because larkspur spikes draw aphid colonies in decent numbers once they're in full growth. Sweet Alyssum earns its spot for a different reason: it flowers early and long, pulling in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that knock back aphid pressure before it reaches the larkspur. Both stay under 12 inches, so neither shades out the larkspur's 24-36 inch frame.

Black walnut is the one to keep off the planting list entirely. Juglone — the allelopathic compound its roots release — spreads far enough through the soil that Consolida planted anywhere near the drip line will show stunted growth or fail to establish at all. Sunflowers produce milder allelopathic compounds but are competitive enough on water and root space that larkspur planted within 3-4 feet tends to come up shorter and set fewer viable spikes.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, deterring pests from celosia

Zinnias

Attract pollinators and beneficial predatory insects while complementing flower displays

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide structural diversity without competing heavily

Cleome

Attract butterflies and beneficial insects while adding height variation to plantings

Salvia

Repel pests with aromatic oils and attract beneficial pollinators

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and other soft-bodied insects

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants

Eucalyptus

Releases allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants

Sunflowers

Compete aggressively for nutrients and water, may stunt growth of smaller flowering plants

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites

Diseases

Powdery mildew, rust, root rot

Troubleshooting QIS™ White

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually showing up mid-season when nights cool and humidity spikes

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe or Golovinomyces spp.) — airborne fungal spores that thrive when day/night temps swing and airflow is poor
Plants spaced too close together — 9-12 inches is the minimum; going tighter than that traps moisture around the foliage

What to Do

1.Remove the worst-affected stems and bin them — don't compost
2.Spray remaining foliage with a diluted potassium bicarbonate solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) every 7 days until symptoms stop spreading
3.Next planting, hold to 12-inch spacing and avoid overhead irrigation in the evening

Stems collapsing at the soil line on seedlings, often within the first 2-3 weeks after germination

Likely Causes

Damping-off — usually Pythium or Rhizoctonia fungi in cold, waterlogged soil
Overwatering seedling trays or direct-sown beds before soil temps reach at least 60°F

What to Do

1.Pull affected seedlings immediately and discard — these fungi spread fast through wet soil
2.Let the bed surface dry slightly between waterings; Consolida ajacis wants consistent moisture, not standing water
3.If starting indoors, use a sterile seed-starting mix (not garden soil) and confirm trays have drainage holes you're actually using

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do QIS® White cut flowers last in a vase?▼

QIS® White flowers typically last 7-10 days in a vase when proper care is taken. To maximize vase life, cut stems early morning with a sharp knife at a 45-degree angle, remove lower foliage, place in fresh water with floral preservative, and change water every 2-3 days. Keep the display away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and ripening fruit, which produce ethylene gas that shortens flower life.

Can you grow QIS® White flowers in containers?▼

Yes, QIS® White can be successfully grown in containers, making it ideal for patios, balconies, and small gardens. Use well-draining potting mix and containers at least 12 inches deep. Ensure plants receive full sun (6+ hours daily), water consistently to keep soil evenly moist, and provide support stakes or cages as plants grow tall (9-12 inches). Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering than in-ground plants.

When should I plant QIS® White snapdragons?▼

Sow QIS® White seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date, or direct sow outdoors after frost danger passes and soil temperatures reach 65°F. Seeds require light to germinate, so sprinkle on soil surface and press lightly without covering. Keep soil moist at 70-75°F. Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days and are ready to transplant when 2-3 true leaves appear.

Is QIS® White good for beginning gardeners?▼

Absolutely! QIS® White is rated as an easy variety, making it excellent for beginners. It's a hardy heirloom snapdragon that tolerates a range of growing conditions, establishes quickly, and produces abundant flowers with minimal fussing. Its tall spires are naturally attractive to hummingbirds, adding wildlife interest. Just ensure full sun and regular watering for best results.

What makes QIS® White different from other snapdragon varieties?▼

QIS® White produces dense, snow-white double blooms (with a small percentage of singles) on impressive 9-12 inch flower spikes with 1.5-1.75 inch florets. It's very similar to the Sublime series, which it replaced, and is particularly notable for reliably attracting hummingbirds. Its tall, spire-like growth habit makes it exceptional for cutting gardens and dramatic garden displays.

How do I use QIS® White flowers in floral arrangements?▼

QIS® White cut flowers are excellent for fresh floral arrangements, bouquets, and wedding centerpieces due to their tall spires and dense white blooms. The long stems and substantial flower spikes provide height and structure to arrangements. They pair well with complementary colors and foliage. For longevity in arrangements, use floral foam, add preservative to water, and re-cut stems every few days.