How do you plant lobelias?
Perennial lobelias are best planted in spring. Dig over the planting area, incorporating lots of organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure, especially if you’re planting Lobelia cardinalis, which needs very moist soil. Dig a hole that’s the same size of the rootball.
How much Sun do Lobelia need?
How to plant: Lobelia plant performs best with full sun to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil. Choose a site that receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sun. Follow these steps and space garden lobelia plants 6-18 inches apart, depending on the variety.
Where is the best place to grow Lobelia?
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.
How tall do Lobelia plants grow?
This plant grows 2 to 3 feet tall and produces spikes of tubular red flowers. Cardinal lobelia is found in ponds and wetlands. In your yard, it makes a good choice near a water feature or fountain. It prefers moist, acidic soil.
How far apart should lobelia be?
Bedding lobelia If you have a greenhouse or other protected growing area, you can plant up containers and hanging baskets earlier for the plants to grow on and so flower earlier, before putting outside in early summer. Plant out at a distance of 10-15cm (4-6in) apart.
How wide does lobelia spread?
12 to 24 inchesPlants grow six to 12 inches, spread 12 to 24 inches, and trail up to 24 inches, creating a splashy display in containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes.
How far apart do you plant blue lobelia?
After all danger of frost is gone and the plants are at least 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm.) tall, transplant them to the garden—spacing about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) apart.
Can you put lobelia in borders?
As its name suggests, it likes very moist soil and is suitable for a reliably moist border, bog garden or pond edge. Lobelia siphilitica, another American native, has long-lasting bright blue flowers.
How many lobelia plants are in a hanging basket?
Plant spacingPlantFlower pouch30cm (12") basketLobelia1012Pansy and Viola1010Petunia (trailing)85Primrose and Polyanthus10714 more rows
Is spreading lobelia a perennial?
Although there are hundreds of lobelia varieties, these are the types most commonly grown in the home garden: Edging lobelias (Lobelia erinus) and their hybrids are tender perennials grown as warm-weather garden annuals. Often grown as container and edging plants, they can have bushy or trailing habits.
What grows well with lobelia?
Lobelia pairs well with other summer bloomers such as pansies, geraniums, and daisies. Depending on the variety, lobelia can be tucked into perennial beds as edgers and fillers, or into containers or hanging baskets as spillers.
How do you keep lobelia looking good?
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.
Will lobelia bloom the first year?
You can plant your seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost spacing them 8 to 12 inches apart. Unlike most perennials, Great Blue Lobelia will bloom the first year.
How do you keep lobelia blooming all summer?
To have the most blooms, it's necessary to pinch or prune lobelia back to keep it bushy, which will lead to continual flowering. Once flowers fade, prune them off and new buds will appear. Fertilize monthly. Feed lobelia on a regular basis with an organic fertilizer designed for flowering plants.
Is lobelia a ground cover?
Blue Lobelia flowers make a beautiful ground cover that performs well in full sun to partial shade. Growing Lobelia Erinus from seed is very rewarding! If starting Lobelia seeds outdoors, it will not begin to flower for two months after seed is planted.
Does lobelia flower all summer?
most varieties of this lobelia have a trailing growth habit and come in many colors. It is commonly sold in the annuals section of the garden center and has a wide variety of uses. In the North, lobelia blooms all summer and into fall, until the first frost.
How to grow lobelia
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. Mulch to protect the crown over winter.
Advice on buying lobelia
Annual lobelias are often sold as small plug plants in spring – look out for them at the garden centre or online. If you want to grow lots of plants, and have the space to grow them on under cover, this is an economical way of buying them
Best varieties of lobelia to grow
Also known as ‘Fan Scarlet’, this has dark bronze-green foliage and spikes of vibrant red flowers. Often grown as a biennial.
How to grow lobelia?
Keep the following tips in mind to get the most from your lobelia plants: 1 For a steady show of flowers, choose heat tolerant varieties in areas with extreme summer temperatures, or provide plants with afternoon shade. 2 Keep the soil evenly moist. Plants will perish quickly in dry soil, and wet soil can cause root rot.
How long does it take for Lobelia to grow?
Lobelia seeds are extremely small and fine-textured but are easy to cultivate if started indoors eight to 12 weeks before transplanting out – generally, two to four weeks after your last frost date.
How tall do palace plants grow?
Palace Series. The mounding plants grow four to six inches tall with a dense, thick spread of six to eight inches.
How big does a sapphire plant get?
‘Sapphire’. The compact plants have a trailing habit, and grow four to nine inches high with a spread of six to nine inches.
How big do plants grow?
Plants grow six to 12 inches, spread 12 to 24 inches, and trail up to 24 inches, creating a splashy display in containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes. Four-packs of plants are available at Home Depot.
How to grow a sage plant?
Seeds require light to germinate. Place in a location with a bright light – or under a grow light – and a soil temperature of 65-75°F. You can use a heat mat if required.
How tall does Lucia Ultraviolet grow?
‘Lucia Ultraviolet’. The heat-tolerant plants are spectacular in containers, hanging baskets, and rockeries. They grow six to 12 inches tall, spread 12 to 24 inches, and trail up to 24 inches.
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 plant that hangs down the side of a window box?
The trailing growth habit of the lobelia allows it to cascade down the sides attractively. 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.
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 is Lobelia used for?
Uses for Lobelia in the Northern Landscape. Its trailing growth habit, dense flowering, and tolerance for either sun or shade make "annual" lobelia a highly versatile plant. Here are just a few of the many uses for it during the summertime in a Northern landscape: As a flowering ground cover. In rock gardens.
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.
Is Lobelia more versatile than Sweet Alyssum?
But lobelia comes in more colors than sweet alyssum and is more versatile due to the fact that it performs better across a spectrum of sunlight conditions ranging from full sun to partial shade. Lobelia does not require a lot of maintenance. It does not need to be deadheaded because the plant self-cleans.
How to grow Lobelia seeds outdoors?
Set the seed tray in a sink filled with an inch of water to provide moisture, rather than top watering. This practice discourages damping off, a common problem in lobelia seeds. Plant lobelias outdoors in spring after the last expected frost. Lighten the soil in flower beds with compost and manure to improve drainage.
How to grow lobelia from seed?
You can start annual lobelias from seed, though, 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost. Spread the seed evenly over a tray filled with a starting mix. Don’t cover them with soil though, because they need light to germinate.
What are the different types of Lobelia?
Varieties of Lobelia Flowers 1 ‘Fountain’ series is an annual lobelia variety with a trailing habit. Use this type for hanging baskets. 2 ‘Rosamond’ produces flowers with mauve petals and white centers. 3 ‘Rainbow’ series stand 4 to 6 inches tall, with a mounding form. Ideal for the front of a border.
What type of soil does a blue cardinal flower like?
In your yard, it makes a good choice near a water feature or fountain. It prefers moist, acidic soil. Similarly, blue cardinal flower (Lobelia siphilitica) is another perennial species that prefers moist conditions. Native to the U.S., it’s hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8.
When do lobelias bloom?
This will encourage a compact form and more profuse blooming later. Annual lobelias bloom from early summer to early fall when properly cared for, although the blooms may slow during the heat of mid-summer. Fertilize annual lobelias every three weeks with a dilute all-purpose plant fertilizer.
Do annual lobelias die in the summer?
Annual lobelias are rarely bothered by pest or disease problems, but they may fade during the summer heat. Additionally, the centers of the plants sometimes die and collapse. Regular watering and fertilizing, as well as pruning can alleviate this problem.
How many species of lobelia are there?
They're not just a one-color wonder, nor are they always a tender annual. There are more than 400 species that include upright and mounding lobelias, annuals, half-hardy annuals, perennials, and even shrubs and aquatic plants.
What is the color of Lobelia?
Lobelia ×speciosa are popular garden hybrids (usually of L. cardinalis and L. siphilitica) with flowers in shades of blue, lavender, pink or red and a long summer bloom period.
What is Lobelia erinus?
VARIETIES. Although there are hundreds of lobelia varieties, these are the types most commonly grown in the home garden: Edging lobelias ( Lobelia erinus) and their hybrids are tender perennials grown as warm-weather garden annuals. Often grown as container and edging plants, they can have bushy or trailing habits.
How to propagate perennials?
Propagating: Perennials tend to be short-lived, but the plants are easy to propagate by dividing them in the spring or fall or by taking stem cuttings after your plants finish flowering. Unless you plan to let your plants self-sow, divide them every two or three years to extend their lifespan.
Do you need to deadhead lobelia?
Most annual lobelias are self-cleaning, so you don’t need to deadhead them. If blooming slows during the heat of summer, the best way to revive them is to cut them back by as much as one-half to two-thirds, followed by regular watering. This radical pruning will regenerate new growth, and by the time the cooler weather of fall arrives, your plants should be in full bloom again. You can also pinch back plants at any time if you prefer bushier growth.
How much sunlight should I give my lobelia?
Like many flowers, container grown lobelia do best when given ample sunlight. In cooler growing zones, this means that the planter should receive at least six hours of sunlight each day.
What is a lobelia plant?
Image by alexbruce. Lobelia plants are a popular choice for flower borders and ornamental container plantings. Most commonly, red cardinal lobelia and annual lobelia add beautiful color and soft, airy texture to the garden. While cardinal lobelia is most often grown as a perennial, other types are treated as short blooming annual flowers for ...
When do lobelia bloom?
While lobelia in planters can look quite lovely throughout the spring and early summer, it is very common to see the plants begin to struggle once temperatures begin to rise. As a result, lobelia may cease to bloom or die back throughout this time period.
Do lobelia plants need to dry?
Lobelia plants are also very sensitive to heat and moisture levels within the soil. Since the perennial flowers are native to marshlands, it is imperative that the so il of container grown lobelia plants is not allowed to dry completely.
Can you grow lobelia in a pot?
The profusion of blooms makes growing lobelia in a pot an excellent choice. Deciding to grow lobelia in planters is a great way to ensure the success of this flower. Although these flowering plants are beautiful, they do require some specific growing conditions to truly thrive.
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.
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.
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.
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 are the three types of pruning that benefit lobelia plants?
The three types of pruning that benefit lobelia plants are removing spent flowers, pinching, and cutting back.
How to get rid of bushy blooms?
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. Give the plant a light trim with a pair of scissors when it needs a bit of tidying. This includes trimming to remove spent blossoms.
Do you prune 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.
