Lobelia as a Rewarding Annual

Lobelias (lat. Lobelia) belong to the Lobelia family (lat. Lobelioideae) of plants. Lobelias are perennial plants in their native habitat, but in our region they are more commonly grown as annuals, as it is simpler to grow new plants each year than to care for existing plants over winter. Lobelias originate from South Africa, therefore they are not frost-resistant. Lobelias spread to Europe in the 17th century. Most commonly, you'll encounter blue-flowering lobelias, but purple and white-flowering lobelias are not exceptions either. Lobelias are available in both upright and trailing forms. All are beautiful, you just need to choose...

Edging Lobelia

Edging lobelia (lat. Lobelia erinus) is a plant forming a dense bush reaching approximately 10 - 15 cm. The leaves are small, elongated in shape. Lobelias bloom with large numbers of smaller flowers in various colors. Blue is the most common color, some varieties bloom in purple and white. Each flower consists of three corolla petals. A group of fully blooming lobelias creates a wonderful colorful carpet. The trailing form of edging lobelia is the lobelia bearing the designation "Pendula". These lobelias look best in hanging containers where they create long cascades decorated with large numbers of tiny flowers.

Available Varieties of Edging Lobelia

• Edging lobelia "Crystal Palace" is an annual reaching a height of approximately 20 cm. These plants stand out when planted individually in window boxes or planted over a larger area. 4 - 5 plants should go into one window box. Crystal Palace variety lobelias bloom with blue flowers.

• Edging lobelia "Carmine Red" is an annual that appreciates sunny and partially shaded locations. It thrives in light and sufficiently nutritious soils with adequate moisture. Carmine red lobelia can be grown in window boxes and in beds.

• We cannot forget the edging lobelia with white and purple flowers. For lobelia lovers who cannot decide which lobelia to get, our e-shop offers a selection of the most beautiful lobelias with various flower colors - edging lobelia "Mix".

• Trailing edging lobelia is suitable for growing in hanging window boxes, creating abundant cascades of flowers in them. Hanging containers are enchanting when they blaze with various colors of tiny flowers. You can treat yourself to exactly this thanks to the selected combination of different-flowering lobelias - trailing lobelia "Mix".

Growing Edging Lobelia

Edging lobelias thrive in sunny to partially shaded locations with adequate air circulation. Ideal growing conditions include humus-rich soil with sufficient nutrients. Regular watering is essential, which should be combined with fertilizing during the flowering period. When fertilizing, pay attention to the nitrogen content in the fertilizer, as excess nitrogen causes delayed and poor flowering. To encourage bushier growth, regular pinching should be performed. Faded flowers should be removed as soon as possible after blooming to prevent them from unnecessarily depleting nutrients needed for the development of new flowers. Lobelias are not frequently affected by diseases and pests, though aphids may occasionally appear on them.

Sowing Lobelias

Lobelia seeds are very fine. They can be sown from January to March in a seed-starting system (such as a mini greenhouse). The sown seeds require light for germination, so they should not be covered. The seed-starting system should maintain constant room temperature and adequate moisture. After germination, young seedlings should be pricked out several times. Lobelias are planted in their final location after the last ground frosts, approximately from mid-May onwards. Pre-cultivated plants bloom from June until the arrival of the first frosts.

Using Lobelias

Lobelias can be successfully grown in hanging planters on windowsills. They can be planted in a pot together with a standard plant - creating an attractive underplanting. They also make beautiful potted flowers. Colorful carpets of lobelias can decorate flower beds and their borders. With a larger quantity of different colored lobelias, you can create interesting ornamental patterns in your garden.