Lobelia, Abundant and Versatile

By Jos Van Hage

The annual lobelia is found in many different areas of the summer  landscape. Trailing varieties grow well in hanging baskets, window boxes, and planters, and the compact types make beautiful edges or borders and  in containers.

These dainty plants have an abundance of tiny flowers on branching stems with tiny leaves. They grow well in sun and partial shade but do not like hot, dry locations.

There are many different varieties available in the seed racks and these should be planted now as they take a long time to grow. Follow sowing instructions on the seed packet and use ’Damp Off’ to help prevent damping  off (plants rot at soil level) which lobelia can be prone to.

Lobelia has a low frost tolerance so plant the young plants out after all risk of  frost has passed last week of May or early June. Harden the plants off first before planting them out by putting them out side during the day and bringing them at night 7-10 days before planting them out.

The most common color of lobelia is blue, but it also comes in purple, lilac, red and white. Compact varieties include Crystal Palace which has dark blue flowers and bronze foliage, Cambridge Blue has light blue  flowers and light green foliage and Mrs. Clibran has bright blue flowers and a white eye. Rosamund has red flowers with a white eye and White lady is white.

There is the ’Riviera Series’ that has Blue Splash, Midnight Blue, Rose Sky Blue and White. Trailing lobelias are Sapphire which is bright blue with a white eye, String of Pearls is a mixture if white and blue flowers and Color Cascade which is mixture.

In bedding plants look for the ’Regatta Series’ as these are all trailers.

Lobelia grows well in our area as they enjoy cooler temperatures and cool nights. They do not do well in a hot area and should not be allowed to dry out. If you plant them in containers plant them more towards the middle of  the container where it does not dry out as quickly.

 When the plant goes dry it dies back, and if this happens cut it back and it should produce a second flush of growth, this is also done when the plant becomes spindly. 

Blue lobelia looks beautiful mixed with red geraniums in a planter or window box. Plant trailing lobelia mixed with bacopa, and fuchsias or begonias. I use the compact plants every year along my walk way and they  bloom throughout the summer. It is a versatile plant that can add beautiful color to any garden.

-Jos

Jos Van Hage Owns and operates two Art knapp Garden Centres in the Prince George region:

• Highway 97 North  at Northwood Pulp Mill road and Aberdeen
• Highway 16 West across from the Bon Voyage Plaza
      

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