Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Laguna ® Dark BlueLobelia erinusPhoto by : Proven Winners
My favorite colouration is blue , so I go absolutely silly every spring when one-year lobelia plants begin showing up at my local nursery . Not only do many variety have true blue flush , a rarity in the garden world , many also love cool atmospheric condition and are in full luster during spring and fall . They are a must - have for my springtime container , and anywhere else in my garden where I want to add a eruption of amobarbital sodium .
They ’re not just a one - color wonder , nor are they always a tender yearbook . There are more than 400 mintage that include just andmounding lobelias , annuals , half - hardy yearly , perennials , and even shrubs and aquatic plants . And although cobalt blueness may be their signature hue , you ’ll also feel lobelia flowers in ruddy red , lilac , rose , and vivacious tropical colors .
On this page : The Basics|Types|Growing Tips|Care and Maintenance|Pictures|Design Ideas
On this page :
BASICS
Hardiness:
Grown as an yearbook in most zone ; perennials alter by species
Height:
Annuals reach a maximal height of about 12 column inch . perennial can arise to be 4 feet eminent .
Exposure:
Full sun to partial shade .
Bloom time:
Varies by coinage . Most annuals will flower from spring through downfall , with a lull during June 21 .
Garden uses:
Hummingbird havens , garden perimeter and ground cover , rain garden , woodland gardens , spillers in container combination , pollinator gardens .
How rare are blue flowers?
Very ! They make up less than 10 % of the flora kingdom . Blue lobelia are among this elect group , which also includes blue ocean Charles Hardin Holley ( Eryngium planum ) , Siberian larkspur ( Delphinium grandiflorum),Lily of the Nile(Agapanthus africanus ) , Texas buffalo clover ( Lupinus texensis ) , racy daisy ( Felicia amelloides ) , and bluehydrangeas . See more of our favoriteblue flower for your garden .
TYPES
Although there are 100 of lobelia varieties , these are the types most commonly arise in the dwelling garden :
What aboutLobelia inflata, commonly called Indian tobacco plant?
Due to serious toxic burden , L. inflatais not unremarkably grow as a garden works . It has , however , been used for medicative purposes for many years .
GROWING LOBELIA
Container combination featuring Laguna ® Sky Blue lobelia . exposure by : Proven Winners .
When to plant:
In fountain , after the danger of frost has passed .
Where to plant:
Most prefer moist , hummus - racy , slenderly acidulent soil . Some perennial varieties , such as central flower , opt boggy conditions and can even be grown in standing water supply .
Light requirements:
In midsummer , most will necessitate some specter to keep them blossom , with the elision of those with improved heat margin .
Water requirements:
Water on a regular basis to keep the soil evenly moist , specially during hot , dry weather . Container - originate plants may need daily lachrymation to keep coherent stain moisture .
Growing from seed:
Although yearly character are wide useable at garden centers in the outpouring , you may also depart your own flora from seed , sown indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last natural spring hoar day of the month . Do n’t transpose seedlings alfresco until a few workweek after the last Robert Frost date . Perennial lobelia will often self - sow sacrifice the veracious conditions and usually bloom the first year from ejaculate .
Growing in containers:
Plant in a potting mix rich in organic matter . When using them in mixed container combinations , be sure to team them up with other wet - lovingshade - tolerant annualsand perennials , such asviolas , impatiens , andsweet alyssum .
LOBELIA CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Fertilizing:
Perennial mixed bag can usually get by with a annual diligence of fertilizer or compost in the give . For annuals , fertilise more frequently or apply acontinuous - sack fertilizerfor bloom plants to sustain them throughout the growing time of year .
Pruning and deadheading:
Most annual lobelias are self - cleaning , so you do n’t need to deadhead them . If blooming slows during the warmth of summertime , the good room to revive them is to curve them back by as much as one - half to two - thirds , surveil by even lachrymation . This extremist pruning will regenerate new growing , and by the time the cooler conditions of fall get , your plants should be in full bloom again . you could also cabbage back plants at any time if you opt bushier maturation .
Avoid snip back or deadheading fundamental flower and other perennials if you want them to reseed of course .
Propagating:
perennial tend to be short - lived , but the plants are light to spread by dividing them in the spring or fall or by taking base cuttings after your plants finish bloom . Unless you design to let your plant ego - sow , divide them every two or three years to stretch out their lifespan .
Winter protection:
If perennial are covered with heavy mulch over the wintertime , the origin can moulder , especially in tender southern climate . If you typically mulch your repeated beds to prevent frost heaving and root harm , use a light level of mulch that wo n’t whole cover the basal leaves .
LOBELIA PICTURES
Photo by : Proven success
Laguna ® Sky Blue — Buy now from Proven WinnersL. erinus
Type:
Annual ; repeated in Zones 9 - 11 .
6 to 12 Inches
Spread:
12 to 24 inch
Bloom Time:
outflow until frost
This best seller blooms all season and requires piffling to no maintenance . Bred to be more heat liberal than other varieties .
Laguna ® Cloud White — Buy now from Proven WinnersL. erinus
commonly grown as an yearly ; perennial in Zones 9 - 11 .
fountain through late summertime
expectant , clean blanched flower all time of year on cascading plants make this an centre - catch trawl line to practice in containers and hang baskets .
Laguna ® Dark Blue — Buy now from Proven WinnersL. erinus
A rare on-key downcast flower with improved heat tolerance . Laguna diverseness do n’t like stiff feet , so be certain to rent the soil dry out before watering .
Laguna ® Ultraviolet ™ —Buy now from Proven WinnersL. erinus
vivid violet purple flowers total semblance to string up baskets , container , and garden borders . spawn to palm summer heat .
Photo by : Age Fotostock / Alamy Stock Photo
‘ Crystal Palace’L. erinus
repeated in zone 7 - 11
4 to 6 in
6 inches
Late spring through former fall
This compact plant jam a braggart clout with its mystifying atomic number 27 - blue flower and glossy bronzed foliage . hefty bloom of youth - covered mounds are large for borders , border , or groundcover .
exposure by RukiMedia / Shutterstock
Great down LobeliaL. siphilitica
Perennial in zones 4 - 9
2 to 3 metrical foot
1 to 1½ feet
August through September
This racy cousin of the primal prime bring about dense spikes of gaudy bloom that are magnets for hummingbirds and butterflies . It ’s also a wetland native that flourishes in moist garden soils .
Photo by : Walters Gardens
Cardinal FlowerL. cardinalis
repeated in geographical zone 3 - 9
3 to 4 foot
1 to 2 infantry
July to September
Fiery cerise flower are a favorite rootage of nectar for hummingbirds . fundamental flowers starve water and are absolutely happy grow in a urine garden or at the edge of a stream or pond .
Also try:‘Queen Victoria ' ( dark maroon leafage ) and ‘ Ruby Slippers ’ ( ruby flowers ) .
exposure by : John Richmond / Alamy Stock Photo
Mexican Cardinal FlowerL. laxiflora
5 feet or more
Spring through fall ; nearly year round in mild climate .
This exotic - looking form has horn - shaped salmon - reddened blossom with bright scandalmongering and orange throat that hang in clustering on fragile red stem . A native of Mexico and southern Arizona .
Spreading , bushy growth riding habit can be invasive .
Photo by Walters Gardens
' Starship Deep Rose’—Buy now from Proven WinnersLobelia ×speciosa
Perennial in zones 6 - 10
20 to 24 inches
12 to 24 inches
June through September
Rose - pink blooms are set off by dreary bronze foliage . This long - blooming hybrid thrives in moist conditions . Use in containers , well - watered garden beds , and aquatic garden .
‘ Starship Scarlet’Lobelia ×speciosa
Scarlet red-faced flowers bloom on dense , upright stiletto heel . An excellent choice for boundary line and beds with dampish grease . Hummingbirds love the shiny red flowers .
