In the South, it is best to grow it in partial shade. In the North, grow it in full sun (as long as you water it regularly) to enjoy maximum flowering. Lobelia likes rich, well-drained soil. Keep the soil of lobelia evenly moist.
How do you care for Lobelia plants?
In the North, grow it in full sun (as long as you water it regularly) to enjoy maximum flowering. Lobelia likes rich, well-drained soil. Keep the soil of lobelia evenly moist.
How do you use trailing lobelia?
Use trailing lobelia beneath taller plants to fill up a planter or hanging basket, and use edging lobelia to fill in spaces between perennials or taller annuals. The trailing and edging varieties are similar in appearance, so you can combine them in the same spaces to create a fuller appearance.
Is it OK to cut back Lobelia?
Lobelia flowers make a lovely addition to the garden but like many plants, pruning is an important part of keeping them looking their best. Keep reading to find out how and when to prune lobelia plants. Yes. Cutting back lobelia plants improves their appearance and health.
How do you plant Lobelia in pots?
Amend garden soil with compost or organic mulch to provide a rich, well-draining soil. Use soilless potting mix containing peat and perlite for containers. Mix in some controlled-release fertilizer. Plant the trailing lobelia where it can spill over rocks in a garden or over the edge of the container.
How do I get my lobelia to bloom again?
Yes. Cutting back lobelia plants improves their appearance and health. It also encourages the plant to produce more flowers over a longer period of time. The three types of pruning that benefit lobelia plants are removing spent flowers, pinching, and cutting back.
Does lobelia need deadheading?
Although not necessary, you can deadhead lobelia plants to maintain a neat appearance.
Does lobelia flower all summer?
Try growing lobelia in your summer garden. These carefree flowering plants remain covered with eye-catching blooms throughout the summer months, and even into the fall. Flower colors are brilliant, coming in stunning violet-blue, as well as yellow, white, red and pink.
How do you keep lobelia blooming all summer UK?
All lobelias need a spot in full sun or part shade, and reliably moist soil. The annual varieties don't need deadheading but can be cut back in mid summer to maintain bushiness and good flowering. Deadhead perennial varieties once they've finished flowering and cut foliage back in autumn.
How do you cut back trailing lobelia?
Cut back the entire plant after the initial wave of blossoms begins to fade. Using your pruning shears, cleanly remove the top 1/2 of the entire plant. This heavy pruning early in the summer will encourage the start of another flowering session. Water lobelia plants deeply after heavy pruning to reduce plant shock.
Does trailing lobelia come back every year?
Lobelia cardinalis is a short-lived perennial, so divide it every 2 years in spring to maintain its vigour....Perennial lobelia.Flowering season(s)Summer, AutumnFoliage season(s)Spring, Summer, Autumn, WinterSunlightPartial shade, Full sun6 more rows
Why does lobelia stop blooming?
Too Much Heat Lobelia blooms very well during cool spring weather, usually between early and late spring, but it will begin to die back during the hotter days of summer. It does not like high heat or humidity and may cease flowering during this type of weather.
How do you care for lobelia flowers?
Since the perennial flowers are native to marshlands, it is imperative that the soil of container grown lobelia plants is not allowed to dry completely. These plants require consistent moisture, but they do not grow well when overwatered or when containers have become waterlogged.
Is lobelia a sun or shade?
Lobelia cardinalis A spot in full sun or light shade keeps this blooming perennial growing vigorously, provided there is enough water. Lobelia cardinalis requires consistently damp soil to thrive. The Missouri Botanical Garden gave this plant one of its 'Plant of Merit' awards as a landscape perennial.
Are trailing lobelia Hardy?
The Lobelia x speciosa varieties are perennials. These are hardy to 5 to 14 degrees F. (-15 to -10 C.). Either variety needs well-draining soil in full sun for best blooming.
Is trailing lobelia a perennial UK?
Lobelias are small, long flowering perennials from South Africa. Lobelia erinus is a trailing species with masses of purple or blue flowers. It has fine stems and deep green leaves, which are toothed and roughly oval.
What do you do with lobelia in the winter?
Lobelia cardinalis 'Queen Victoria' Uncover the plants in early spring when the worst of the frosts are over. Elsewhere, cut it back hard after lifting and store in crates of just moist compost placed somewhere cool, well-lit and frost free.
How do you deadhead lobelia?
If deadheading the flowers on the individual stems, head them back toward the base, so they aren't sticking up above the foliage. Snip at an angle, so water will run off the cut if it rains. Alternatively, shear back the entire plant by half once the flowers have finished blooming and begun to dry out in midsummer.
What do you do with lobelia in the winter?
Even overwintering Lobelia plants indoors is no guarantee they will re-bloom in spring since these are short lived plants. Place them in indirect but bright light, away from drafts. Water them infrequently but check every so often, especially if they are near a heat source which will dry soil quickly.
Why is my lobelia turning brown?
Lobelias don't care for heat or drought; their transport tissues aren't designed to function under extreme heat so leaves often brown and curl up from the outer edge inward when it's too hot. Lobelia with brown leaves but healthy stems may have been exposed to too much sun or simply not watered enough.
Why is my lobelia drooping?
Your lobelia plant may wilt with too much water or too little. Keep in mind that a lobelia plant that is wilting does not necessarily always need water. Sometimes lobelia plants wilt when they have too much water. Always check the soil dryness to determine if you should give the lobelia plant some water.
Should I Prune My Lobelia?
Yes. Cutting back lobelia plants improves their appearance and health. It also encourages the plant to produce more flowers over a longer period of...
How to Prune Lobelia Flowers
Pinching plants means taking off the tips and top two leaves of tender, young growth. It encourages bushy growth and better flowering. The best too...
Pruning Edging and Trailing Lobelia
These two little plants grow only about 6 inches tall. They survive winters in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, but...
What is the flower of Lobelia Erinus?
Lobelia erinus 'Alba': tender perennial, with white flowers and a trailing habit. Lobelia erinus 'Lilac Fountain': tender perennial, with lilac-pink flowers and a trailing habit. Lobelia erinus 'Rosamund': tender perennial, with cherry-red flowers and a trailing habit.
What plant hangs on the side of a window box?
Likewise, as an element in mixed window boxes, lobelia can be the plant that hangs down the side of the window box, while taller plants such as Victoria blue salvia ( Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue') provide the backdrop.
How to grow lobelia in a moon garden?
Use a lobelia with white flowers in a moon garden. Grow your lobelia in a hanging basket and display it on a porch. Install several lobelia plants along the edge of a mixed container garden, such as a whiskey barrel, and display it on your patio.
What is Lobelia in gardening?
Lobelia is a tender perennial widely grown as an annual plant in most USDA zones. This colorful plant belongs to the Campanulaceae (or "bellflower") family.
What is the best flower for hummingbirds?
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis): hardy perennial, with red flowers and an upright growth habit. Attractive to hummingbirds. Reseeds easily. Great lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica): hardy perennial, with blue flowers and an upright habit. Lobelia erinus 'Laguna': tender perennial, with blue flowers and a trailing habit.
What flowers are used in lobelia?
In the United States, use lobelia with blue flowers, along with red salvia ( Salvia splendens) and white petunias ( Petunia x hybrida ), in patriotic landscaping displays ( July 4th plantings and plantings around cemetery monuments on Memorial Day).
How big is Lobelia Erinus?
Botanical Name. Lobelia erinus. Common Name. Annual lobelia, edging lobelia, lobelia. Plant Type. Tender perennial. Mature Size. 6 to 9 inches in height , with a slightly greater spread.
Does lobelia bloom all summer long?
Lobelia is an easy-to-grow, carefree plant that enjoys cool weather. This summertime bloomer will continue to produce flowers on up through the first frost. Growing lobelia is an asset to the garden.
How do you deadhead lobelia?
With finger and thumb. The simplest method is to just pinch off the faded blooms with finger and thumb.
How do I keep my lobelia blooming?
Cut back the plant by half or more at the end of its bloom period. Trimming back lobelia plants keeps them from looking messy , and it may encourage another flush of blooms.
Why do my lobelia keep dying?
Too Little Water. During warm weather, lobelia leaves and flowers can dry out. If the dehydration is too severe, the plant may die. Water your lobelia in pots consistently so the soil stays moist and never draws away from the side of the container.
Will lobelia come back every year?
Lobelia in winter will die back no matter which variety you have. However, the annual Lobelia may not come back at all even if it formed seed. The annual forms tend to get weedy when temperatures get hot in summer but can be rejuvenated by cutting the plants back by half.
How long do lobelia plants last?
High heat can cause lobelia to suffer, but the plants stay in bloom for many weeks in areas with cool nights.
Do you pinch out lobelia?
Cutting back a lobelia plant will increase the blooming season and increase the number of new blossoms. Pinch back the tips of the young lobelia plants when you purchase them from the garden centre. Without this initial pinching, the stems can grow long and make the plant look leggy and unkempt.
Should I Prune My Lobelia?
Yes. Cutting back lobelia plants improves their appearance and health. It also encourages the plant to produce more flowers over a longer period of time. The three types of pruning that benefit lobelia plants are removing spent flowers, pinching, and cutting back.
How to keep lobelia from looking messy?
Cut back the plant by half or more at the end of its bloom period. Trimming back lobelia plants keeps them from looking messy, and it may encourage another flush of blooms.
What is the best tool for pinching plants?
It encourages bushy growth and better flowering. The best tool for the job is a thumbnail. Squeeze the tip of the stem between your thumbnail and index finger to make a clean break.
How to trim a spiky plant?
For spiky types, wait until the entire spike has faded before clipping out the stems. Cut back the plant by half or more at the end of its bloom period .
Do lobelia survive winter?
They survive winters in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, but they are usually grown as spring annuals because they fade in the summer heat. Edging and trailing lobelia follow a schedule similar to pansies and linaria, and most growers remove them in early summer when they no longer look their best.
What is trailing lobelia?
Even in the rainbow world of decorative flowers, trailing lobelia ( Lobelia erinus) stands out with its bold hues. The trailing variety is most recognizable in its signature blue, but you'll also find cultivars in pinks and purples as well as a crisp white.
How to control spider mites on plants?
Spider mites can sometimes be an issue, but they're easily controlled by spraying the plants periodically with one of the many insecticidal soaps available from your local garden center. In damp conditions you may see a fungal infection attacking the leaves or stems, in which case you should remove and destroy the infected plants and cut back on your watering schedule.
Is trailing lobelia a perennial?
Trailing lobelia is a perennial in the warm and arid conditions of its native South Africa but is grown as an annual in the United States. Its care is quite different from that of Lobelia cardinalis, or "cardinal flower," a native American perennial.
Do deer like Lobelia?
One of the joys of growing lobelia is that its needs are as minimal as its blossoms are lavish. They're susceptible to few diseases and pests, and even deer don't show much interest in them. For most growers, the mid-season slump in blossoming is the only real issue you'll face.
Can you transplant Lobelia in the sun?
"Harden off" your transplants by taking them outside once the warm spring days arrive, but bring them back inside until a few weeks after all risk of frost has passed. Once that date arrives, they can be transplanted into your garden or a suitable container or hanging pot. Lobelia prefer full sun but tolerate some partial shade, and they aren't finicky about soil as long as it's reasonably well-drained. This is a key difference from the native L. cardinalis, which likes wet soils.
Can you use lobelia under a hanging basket?
Use trailing lobelia beneath taller plants to fill up a planter or hanging basket, and use edging lobelia to fill in spaces between perennials or taller annuals. The trailing and edging varieties are similar in appearance, so you can combine them in the same spaces to create a fuller appearance.
What is Lobelia Erinus?
Compact and popular, Lobelia erinus (Trailing Lobelia) is a tender perennial, usually grown as an annual, boasting masses of brightly colored flowers adorned with white or yellow throats from spring to the first frosts. Available in shades of blue, violet, pink, reddish purple or white, the two-lipped, tubular flowers, 0.5 in. long (1 cm), feature large fan-shaped lower lips. Borne in loose clusters, they perform well in cool summer weather, but tend to fade out during hot dry summers. The leafy branching stems are clad with narrow, linear, green leaves sometimes tinged with bronze. Lobelia erinus is quite versatile and can be used in hanging baskets, containers or window boxes where it can function as a filler or trail gracefully over the edges. The upright varieties are best for edging and flower beds. Easy to grow and prolifically colorful, it attracts butterflies, is ignored by deer and is wonderful for creating a dazzling display through the summer.
How tall is a sage tree?
The upright varieties are best for edging and flower beds. Easy to grow and prolifically colorful, it attracts butterflies, is ignored by deer and is wonderful for creating a dazzling display through the summer. Grows up to 6-9 in. tall (15-22 cm) and 6-12 in. wide (15-30 cm).
Is Lobelia a perennial?
Appreciates regular fertilization throughout the growing season. This Lobelia is perennial in hardiness zones 10-11, but treated as an annual in cooler areas.
